Park Hosts Parkersburg South Friday
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WHEELING -- In a game that was vital to its postseason hopes, Wheeling Park put on a show last week in a dominating 56-7 win over Brooke.
The triumph moved Park (3-3) from 22 to 15 in the W.Va. Class AAA ratings but this week's contest against No. 20 Parkersburg South on Friday at Wheeling Island Stadium is just as crucial.
"I think the kids understand that every Friday is important," Park coach Chris Daugherty said. "This is essentially the second week of the playoffs for us. The win last week was big and hopefully we can continue that energy and play with that same energy this week."
In the rivalry win over Brooke, quarterback Brett Phillips threw for 134 yards and a TD on 11 of 18 passing, while running back Hunter Nixon ran for 91 yards and two touchdowns, Brandon Mundy ran for 76 yards and two scores and Will James caught five passes for 50 yards and a TD.
It was Park's first home game in over a month and also helped get a bad taste out of its mouth from the week before when the Patriots fell to Musselman 25-17.
"The best cure for a loss is a win the following week," Daugherty said.
"It was nice to see the kids back in their home locker room and their home stadium. Here we are, it's almost Nov. 1 and we just played our second home game of the season. It was an important night for them."
Parkersburg South comes into Friday with a 3-4 record but Daugherty knows it has played a tough schedule, just like his squad has done to this point.
"I would say we are similar teams," Daugherty said. "They have a tough schedule and coach (Nathan) Tanner does a nice job with them and offensively, they are tough to defend.
"They deliver quick passes and get the ball out fast so we won't have a lot of time to get to the quarterback. They do try to take some shots down field but they look at short passes like we do as an extension of the run game."