Photo by Kristin Mazgaj Wheeling Park running back Zac Lydick shakes off a Brashear defender.

MORGANTOWN — University’s 78-14 week two loss to Parkersburg South may have turned heads across the state, but it did little to make Wheeling Park coach Chris Daugherty think any less of the Hawks prior to their upcoming meeting this Friday.

“I don’t know what happened that day, but to me, I’m not going to pay much attention to it,” Daugherty said. “What I know of University and what I know of Coach (John) Kelley and his program, one bad night’s not going to sway me or anybody at Wheeling Park into feeling any different.”

The Hawks (2-1) rebounded to top Brooke 43-12 last week as quarterback Luke Hudson threw for 196 yards and two scores and playmaker Jaeden Hammack topped 100 all-purpose yards and scored twice.

“They’re coached very well, they’re always sound,” Daugherty said. “They look like they’ve rebounded and got it together. I know we’re not going to pay much attention to what happened at South.”

Friday will be Park’s first game against an in-state opponent this season. Daugherty expects it to be a good one between Class AAA foes.

“We’ve played University for so long that it’s a rival for us,” Duagherty said. “They know us, we know them, the staffs know each other, the players know each other. This is a rival game for us, it always is.”

University won last year’s matchup 35-14 at Wheeling Island Stadium.

“They’ve had some changes (from last season), but John does such a good job and they’re just so sound,” Daugherty said. “He’s been doing it for a long, long time and he knows how to rally the troops and get kids to play hard after a loss or after a big win, so we expect their best.”

The Patriots (2-1) are coming off a loss against Cleveland Villa Angela-St. Joseph last week, 54-27. Park held a 21-20 halftime lead against ultra-talented VASJ, but did not replicate its success in the second half.

“I thought for the first half, we matched them,” Duagherty said. “We were a good team who didn’t make a whole lot of mistakes. Well, we’ve got to be able to be physical for four quarters, not three and a half, not two and a half.”

Quarterback Brett Phillips threw for 280 yards and two touchdowns to speedy receiver Jerrae Hawkins, who finished with 76 yards on five catches. Fellow receiver Will James caught eight balls for 130 yards.

“We believe that those types of games can make you a better team,” Daugherty said of last week’s game. “You never want to lose, but if you competed at a high level, maybe it raises our game. We’ll see as we go forward.”

Junio Zac Lydick leads Wheeling Park in rushing with 219 yards while University splits carries between Sebastian Dalton and Avery Dalton.

The Hawks have been playing without star defender Noah Braham, a WVU commit, who injured his ankle against John Marshall in week one.

Kickoff from Morgantown is scheduled for 7 p.m.