Kamd50
03-14-2007, 12:44 AM
I'd like to know where all of this internet chat is taking place and do a little eavesdropping. The article:
MARIETTA, PHS NEED TO RESUME FOOTBALL SERIES
All this Internet chatter on a proposed Parkersburg Big Reds-Massillon Tigers football game this fall is enough to make me gag.
The only Tigers' team that PHS should be thinking about playing first and foremost is the one from Marietta. Then, Massillon.
Now, I realize that Parkersburg High and Marietta High are each locked into league play with the Big Reds competing in the Mountain State Athletic Conference (MSAC) and the Tigers in the Southeastern Ohio Athletic League (SEOAL). And, yes, of course, schedules are made up in advance.
Ironically, both PHS and MHS played Parkersburg South in a non-conference tilt last season.
But, you know, there's really no excuse for Parkersburg and Marietta not playing each other on a yearly basis — again. I mean, it's a natural cross-river rivalry, and potentially a big gate.
Here, you have two large schools less than 20 miles apart, and neither competes against the other now in hardly any sport, let alone football.
So, what's going on here? Can't anyone get along?
It didn't used to be that way.
Fact is, until 1994, the last time that Parkersburg and Marietta squared off on the gridiron, the two schools had faced each other 97 times. Neither school has played any other school anywhere more than that figure.
Apparently, though, familarity does breed contempt, because after 1994, when Marshall Burdette-coached PHS won a 41-0 decision at Don Drumm Stadium, somebody dropped somebody from the schedule — and frankly I could care less which school initiated the "divorce proceedings."
Like in any divorce, it takes two to tangle.
Anyways, it was a bad, immature decision on both schools' part.
Interestingly and amusingly, way back in 1910, the Big Reds won a 1-0 forfeit decision when the Tigers walked off the field. After the 1994 game, both of the teams pretty much did the same thing — walked away from each other — and never looked back.
Now, granted, Parkersburg has had the upper hand in the series with a 67-26-4 advantage. Marietta's last win (29-6) over the Big Reds was in 1990. Perhaps ironically, longtime PHS coach Buddy James stepped down from the helm after that season. (Was it because he lost to Marietta?)
But forget about the wins, losses, and ties, because this game was a community thing. Parkersburg versus Marietta attracted a lot of people from both sides of the river to Stadium Field and Don Drumm Stadium. It was Friday night lights at its best, and fans didn't have to travel too far to enjoy a prep football game.
These two large Mid-Ohio Valley schools need to resume the series, but it's probably not going to happen any time soon. Sadly, it doesn't look like either school is ready to bury the hatchet. And, that's a shame.
According to Parkersburg athletic officials, the PHS-Massillon game is not on — yet. If it eventually becomes confirmed, it'll be a good game, pitting two schools with storied football histories against each other.
Call it a fall fling, though, because I can't see Parkersburg and Massillon playing each other on a yearly basis.
The Big Reds and Tigers of Marietta, on the other hand, are made for each other, whether they realize it or not — in football and in all sports.
Ron Johnston is sports editor of The Marietta Times. Contact him at 376-5441, or via e-mail at rjohnston@mariettatimes.com
http://www.mariettatimes.com/sports/story/spt54_313200782111.asp
MARIETTA, PHS NEED TO RESUME FOOTBALL SERIES
All this Internet chatter on a proposed Parkersburg Big Reds-Massillon Tigers football game this fall is enough to make me gag.
The only Tigers' team that PHS should be thinking about playing first and foremost is the one from Marietta. Then, Massillon.
Now, I realize that Parkersburg High and Marietta High are each locked into league play with the Big Reds competing in the Mountain State Athletic Conference (MSAC) and the Tigers in the Southeastern Ohio Athletic League (SEOAL). And, yes, of course, schedules are made up in advance.
Ironically, both PHS and MHS played Parkersburg South in a non-conference tilt last season.
But, you know, there's really no excuse for Parkersburg and Marietta not playing each other on a yearly basis — again. I mean, it's a natural cross-river rivalry, and potentially a big gate.
Here, you have two large schools less than 20 miles apart, and neither competes against the other now in hardly any sport, let alone football.
So, what's going on here? Can't anyone get along?
It didn't used to be that way.
Fact is, until 1994, the last time that Parkersburg and Marietta squared off on the gridiron, the two schools had faced each other 97 times. Neither school has played any other school anywhere more than that figure.
Apparently, though, familarity does breed contempt, because after 1994, when Marshall Burdette-coached PHS won a 41-0 decision at Don Drumm Stadium, somebody dropped somebody from the schedule — and frankly I could care less which school initiated the "divorce proceedings."
Like in any divorce, it takes two to tangle.
Anyways, it was a bad, immature decision on both schools' part.
Interestingly and amusingly, way back in 1910, the Big Reds won a 1-0 forfeit decision when the Tigers walked off the field. After the 1994 game, both of the teams pretty much did the same thing — walked away from each other — and never looked back.
Now, granted, Parkersburg has had the upper hand in the series with a 67-26-4 advantage. Marietta's last win (29-6) over the Big Reds was in 1990. Perhaps ironically, longtime PHS coach Buddy James stepped down from the helm after that season. (Was it because he lost to Marietta?)
But forget about the wins, losses, and ties, because this game was a community thing. Parkersburg versus Marietta attracted a lot of people from both sides of the river to Stadium Field and Don Drumm Stadium. It was Friday night lights at its best, and fans didn't have to travel too far to enjoy a prep football game.
These two large Mid-Ohio Valley schools need to resume the series, but it's probably not going to happen any time soon. Sadly, it doesn't look like either school is ready to bury the hatchet. And, that's a shame.
According to Parkersburg athletic officials, the PHS-Massillon game is not on — yet. If it eventually becomes confirmed, it'll be a good game, pitting two schools with storied football histories against each other.
Call it a fall fling, though, because I can't see Parkersburg and Massillon playing each other on a yearly basis.
The Big Reds and Tigers of Marietta, on the other hand, are made for each other, whether they realize it or not — in football and in all sports.
Ron Johnston is sports editor of The Marietta Times. Contact him at 376-5441, or via e-mail at rjohnston@mariettatimes.com
http://www.mariettatimes.com/sports/story/spt54_313200782111.asp