Parkersburg South’s Eli Bartley (11) carries the ball during last week’s game against Parkersburg. (Photo by Kerry Patrick)

PARKERSBURG — “Phew.”

Even though Parkersburg South came out on the winning end, an emotional strain is the best way to describe what players and coaches alike experienced during last week’s Rivalry Week with inter-city rival Parkersburg.

Now it’s back to business as the Patriots seek a fourth consecutive win Friday at John Marshall.

“Last week was emotionally exhausting,” South coach Nate Tanner. “After the game, I was worn out and emotionally zonked. The football game is really cool for the community. The week was comparable to playing for the state title in regards to the media. Kids act differently. It’s all different unless you are in the driver’s seat.

“My kids spent the night with their grandparents and my wife was in Washington D.C., so I did a lot of sitting around Saturday watching football, chilling out and breaking down film.”

With the return of running back Eli Bartley, who missed the previous week with an injury, Parkersburg South relied heavily on the senior. Bartley broke away for touchdown runs of 42 and 61 yards and finished with 256 yards on the ground on 26 carries.

“Eli ran his tail off,” Tanner said. “Coming into the season, I told Eli he was going to get a lot of opportunities to show folks what he has. He showed off his potential last Friday.”

The Patriots rallied from a 17-13 deficit by scoring two fourth-quarter touchdowns in a 26-17 win. Their defensive line also answered the call in those final 12 minutes and spent more time in the PHS backfield than not.

“Our kids settled down after being on an emotional high in the first half,” Tanner said. “They started executing at a high level.

“Parkersburg quarterback Cooper Cancade is a very good passer. I say to my kids, pressure bursts pipes or makes diamonds. Pressure burst their pipes on Friday a lot and worked out for us.”

As for Week 5 of the regular season, John Marshall’s 0-3 start is deceptive. The widest margin of defeat in those three losses is 10 points in their season-opener at Marietta (10-0).

Following their open week, the Monarchs fell to George Washington 40-36 last Friday.

Under third-year coach Mark Clear, John Marshall is seeking to snap a drought which extends to the previous 16 games. In that span, the Monarchs have just one win to their credit.

The Monarchs, who are classified as a 3A program, return running back Maverick LeMasters, who rushed for 1,200 yards last season. Junior Kayden Knapp is the starting quarterback. He has an assortment of receivers in seniors Hayden Gaiser, Kaden Bungard and Eugene Henry, along with juniors Cain Martin and Xavier Wells.

Graduation took a toll on John Marshall’s front line, which features a completely brand new crew.

Parkersburg South has won the last three meetings with John Marshall. Coach Tanner is 4-1 against the Monarchs in his tenure with the Patriots.

“Year to year, John Marshall shows up and plays extremely hard,” Tanner said. “Like Parkersburg, they show a wide variety of looks. Defensively, they dial up a lot of pressure and blitz a lot.”

Side notes: Parkersburg South is ranked No. 4 in the latest WVSSAC Class AAAA poll. At No. 3 is Wheeling Park (3-1), which handed the Patriots their only defeat back on opening night.

If the playoffs started today, Parkersburg South would host No. 13 University (1-2).

Contact Kerry Patrick at kpatrick@newsandsentinel.com