A BRIEF HISTORY OF PARKERSBURG HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

    

     This information came from the Parhischan, the Quill, the Pilgrim, the Parkersburg News, the Parkersburg Sentinel, and information received from Coach Ross McHenry, and Mr. and Mrs. John Summers.

Many schools have a rich tradition in high school athletics. Parkersburg High School is one of these schools to have such a glory filled past. Their history if filled with football success.

     Football began at PHS before the turn of the 20th century. Since this time, PHS has been one of the most respected football programs not only in West Virginia but also in the United States.

     History show that players use to go home after school and do chores and then gather around 6:00 PM for football practice. Records show that at one time games were played at Blennerhassett Island, the old YMCA field (located at the northeast corner of 13th St. and Murdoch Ave. on the site now occupied by the First Presbyterian Church, a vacant lot on 16th. Street, and at the present location on the Big Reds campus.

     The early teams at PHS were made up not only of PHS students but also from other community people. It was not until 1906 that players were restricted to regularly enrolled students of the high school. The early teams did not always have coaches either. They were organized and coached by the players themselves. The first paid coach at PHS was Harry Bonner in 1907. PHS did not have an official coach in 1910 as student-player Greasey Neale coached the team. The first letters were presented in 1907.

     The nickname of "Big Reds" came to PHS in 1915 with the arrival Ralph Jones who came from Dennison College. The Big Reds of Dennison were an athletic power at the time and their colors were red and white. This name has remained with Parkersburg High School.

     The Big Reds have been playing on the present site since 1921 although the stadium stands were not there until 1923. The age limit in the early days was 21 as compared to 19 today, but boys were allowed to play after they came back from World War 1 if they enrolled in high school.

     PHS played its first night game in 1930 under Coach Ross McHenry at Erie, Pa. The Big Reds won 6-0. The first night game in Big Reds stadium was in 1940 when the Big Reds beat Grantsville 59-0.

     Starting in 1937, the Secondary Schools Activities Commission started recognizing champions based upon a poll of the sportswriters. Later, the now existing playoff system began. Prior to 1937, state champions were declared if they were unbeaten in West Virginia competition.

     All –State teams were not always selected as they are now. At one time, Harry Stansbury, the Athletic Director at WVU chose the All-State team. He did though gather the advice of the state sportswriters before naming the team. Ross McHenry is the only 3 time All-Stater in the history of PHS.Parkersburg High School as been state champions 9 times which is more than any other class AAA school in West Virginia. They were champions in 1938, 1940, 1943, 1950. 1958, 1976,1978, 1999 and 2001. The state started recognizing champions in 1937. The Big Reds have played in 963 games since 1906 and have a record of 680-250-33 for a 71% winning percentage.

     This successful history has built a tremendous tradition at PHS and made Big Reds Football the pride of the citizens of Parkersburg, West Virginia.

THE EVOLUTION OF FOOTBALL SCORING

     (Information taken from NCAA record book and from an article by Tony Constantine in the 1987 WVU Football Guide).

     From 1869 until 1883, scoring was mainly a mixture of rugby and soccer scoring rules. Kicking was emphasized in the early game. Walter Camp was the leader in establishing "American" football rules and in 1883 his scoring system gave one point for a safety, two points for a touchdown, four points for a goal after a touchdown , and five points for a field goal.

     In 1884, a touchdown was raised to four points and a safety to two points. The point after a touchdown was reduced to two points. In 1898, the touchdown was raised to five points and the point after touchdown was lowered to one point. The field goal was cut to four points in 1904 and then to three points in 1909 where it has remained.

     In 1912, the touchdown was raised to six points where it is today.

The forward pass became legal in 1906 when President Roosevelt threatened to ban football because it was so brutal with its tight formations. The size of the field was set to its present size in 1912. Before 1912, the size of the field varied to whatever was available. Also, ten yards and four downs to make it were established in 1912. Prior to this, it had been five yards and three downs to make it. The player limit had been cut from 25 to 11 in 1880.

      Goal posts existed since 1876. They were placed on the goal line until 1927 when they were moved to the back of the end zone. They came back to the goal line in the late 1940’s. Today, the goalposts are at the back of the end zone.

PARKERSBURG HIGH SCHOOL FIGHT SONGS

 

ALMA MATER

O PHS to you sing praise and

Songs to alma mater raise,

While we strive to keep thy name

Forever in the halls of fame

Mountains fair and valley bright

Renew the path for banners bright

Times of joy or

Times of stress

We’ll always love you,
PHS

IT’S PHS BOYS
It’s PHS boys,

It’s PHS boys,

The pride of every student here,

Come on you old grads

Join with us young lads

It’s PHS boys now we cheer

Rah Rah

Now it’s the time boys

To make a big noise

No matter what the people say

For there is lots to cheer

The gang’s all here

So hail to PHS boys, hail!

THE RED AND WHITE

The red and white of Parkersburg,

Our colors bright and fair

And Emblem fair, without compare

And victor in the fray.

No peer or clown may take it down,

Or stain its sacred folds,

Each girl or boy will do or die,

For all that emblem holds.

Our glorious red and white.

Oh give three cheers for Parkersburg High,

The fairest in the land.

The girls and boys in loyalty cry.

"We’ll ever by the stand".

And if on some unfortunate day,

Our land is in distress,

The red, the white, our colors will say,

"Depend on PHS". 

QUICK FACTS

 

Founded –                    1867
Enrollment –                 1530
Principal –                     Ralph Board
Athletic Director –      Richard Lance
Head Coach –              Bernie Buttrey, 6^th year
Assistant Coaches –  Doak Markley,  Mark McCullough, Dave Schaad , Jason Woodyard, Matt Kimes, Gene Epley, Murray Mace, Nathan Green.                         

Support Staff –           Jim Hughes, Richard Day , Mark Dearman, Carroll Jett, Larry Kave, Ron Walker

Medical Staff, Trainers-Randy Heavner, team physician; Joe Blouser, trainer; Jamie Dearien, asst. trainer; Lonnie Meyers, asst. trainer.
2006 Season -             14-0

Colors -                        Red & White

Nickname –                 Big Reds
Stadium –                    Stadium Field
Seating Capacity -     10,000
All  Time Record -     737-268-33

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Big Reds Head Coaches  

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Big Reds Head Coaches – By Wins  

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Big Reds Head Coaches – By Winning Percentage  

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Big Reds Record By Years

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