Parkersburg High School Big Reds Football

Sept 14, 2018 Capitol: Game

Capital Big Plays Prove Difference Again in 35-22 Victory Over PHS

A couple of 70-yard plus plays in the middle of the game proved to be the difference as number two ranked Capital held on to post a 35-22 victory over Parkersburg Friday night before a crowd of 2,500 at Stadium Field.

Jake Johnson threw for two touchdowns and ran for another but was also sacked five times by Capital's huge defensive line as the Big Reds fell to 1-3 on the year while the Cougars improved to 4-0.

Johnson completed 24 of 36 passes for 226 yards but was picked off twice. Capital's Kerry Martin, a WVU early signee, completed nine of 15 passes for 176 yards and two touchdowns but was also intercepted twice. Martin ran for one touchdown, gained 41 yards on nine carries but was sacked once in the end zone by Brenton Strange for a safety.

DeShaun James had one of the big plays for Capital, a 73 yard run early in the third quarter, and finished with 179 yards on 19 carries while Tyler Moler led PHS with 19 carries for 61 yards.

PHS had a trio of big receivers as Dylan Shaver caught nine passes for 90 yards and a touchdown while Strange caught seven for 63 yards and Braeden Mason caught six for 54 yards and a score.

PHS scored on its first possession to take a 7-0 lead as the Big Reds drove 90 yards on just five plays with a 73 yard end-around run by Mason to the one yard line being the highlight. Johnson scored on the next play on a quarterback sneak.

Capital put together a 12 play, 74 yard drive with Martin hitting Deshawn Harper for the final 25 stripes to tie the game at 7-all with 4:58 left in the first quarter. Harper caught the ball, reversed his field and proceeded to spin away from and bounce off tackles on his way to the goal line.

PHS turned the ball over on an interception on the ensuing possession while Capital followed with another uncharacteristic long drive of 10 plays for 74 yards and the go-ahead score on a five-yard run by Martin.

The Big Reds answered with a 10-play, 70-yard drive that ended on Shaver's 23-yard TD reception. The extra point kick hit the crossbar and PHS trailed 14-13 with 5:05 left in the half.

The big play came up just three plays later when speedy Chance Knox caught the ball on the sideline, slipped through two would-be tacklers, cut back and outran everyone to the end zone to make it 21-13 with 3:20 left before the half.

With Capital getting the ball to start the second half, it took just 14 seconds for the visitors to tack on another score when James hitting up the middle, bounced to the outside and went up the sidelines virtually untouched to make it 28-13.

Johnson punted the ball to the Capital one yard line on the next series and on the first play Martin tried rolling out to pass but Strange caught him from behind for the safety and a 28-15 margin.

Penalties highlighted the entire game but the third quarter was the worse with PHS losing momentum on an intentional grounding call and then a facemask call helped set up James' 30 touchdown run with 1:12 left in the period that ran the lead to 35-15.

But the Big Reds did not give up despite intense pass rush pressure and were able to go 82 yards in 11 plays to score on Mason's 12 yard reception with 4:22 left in the game.

Trailing by 13, PHS watched Capital pick up one first down before holding on downs to take over with 2:15 remaining only to have the final hope dashed by an interception with 10 seconds left at the Cougar 16.

C.J. Wade had a big game on defense for the Big Reds with 14 tackles.