5 Big Reds Make First Team All

STATE CHAMPS AGAIN.....WAY TO GO BIG REDS !!!!!!!!!
2007 Big Reds Football Schedule

PARKERSBURG — Parkersburg High School, which has dominated Class AAA football in the Mountain State for the past two seasons, placed five players on the 2007 all-state team announced today by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association.

Big Reds who received first team selections were offensive lineman Josh Jenkins, running back Matt Lindamood, defensive lineman Zach Nolan, linebacker Matt Littleton and defensive back Andy Thomas.

All five honorees are seniors who helped PHS win the first back-to-back state titles in the 103-year history of Big Red football. The seniors never lost a game at Stadium Field, the home of the Big Reds.

Jenkins and Lindamood were selected as the co-captains of the offensive unit.

Jenkins’ selection is an historic one as he becomes only the second Parkersburg High School football player in history to earn first-team all-state honors three consecutive years. The only other Big Red ever to accomplish that feat was the legendary Ross McHenry, who did so in 1920, 1921 and 1922. McHenry, who like Jenkins was a two-way starter on the line, went on to play at West Virginia University. Jenkins, the No. 1-ranked offensive lineman in America, verbally has committed to become a Mountaineer.

Jenkins, who won the Hunt Award last year and is in line to become the first Mountain State football player ever to receive that honor twice when it is announced on Tuesday, is the subject of an intense recruiting battle involving virtually every major college football powerhouse in America.

“Josh Jenkins is going to being playing football for a long time,’’ said PHS coach Bernie Buttrey, who was thrilled with the recognition his players received. Jenkins, who stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 305 pounds, has the size, strength, quickness and speed to play in the National Football League once his college career is over.

Jenkins anchored an offensive line that allowed the Big Reds to rush for 4,064 yards. A majority of those yards —2,473 —were accomplished by Lindamood, who became both Parkersburg’s single season and career rushing leader.

“I’ve never coached a more talented athlete than Matt Lindamood,’’ Buttrey said. “I’d watch our opponents who have faced plenty of backs who are 6-1 and 215 pounds, but they couldn’t believe how strong he is.’’

Lindamood combined that strength with speed and elusive moves to score 38 of Parkersburg’s 73 touchdowns. He is a leading candidate for the coveted Kennedy Award, which will be announced next Sunday.

Nolan, a 5-10, 260-pound two-way lineman, also made PHS history. Traditionally, the captains roles at PHS have been the sole right of seniors, but Buttrey was so impressed with Nolan’s leadership skills, he made him a captain as a junior, a position he held for two seasons.

“Zach is like having another coach on the field,’’ Buttrey said.

“He understands what we are trying to do more than any other player. He wants to be a coach someday and he would make a great one. He’s always got a smile on his face. All the rest of us have a bad day every now and then, but I’ve never seen Zach Nolan have a bad day.’’

Buttrey was particularly pleased by the selection of Littleton, who injured his MCL and had to sit out four games before finally returning for Parkersburg’s semifinal and state championship victories. Although he obviously was hurt and playing on guts alone, Littleton made the game-saving tackle in the state championship game to preserve Parkersburg’s 22-15 win over St. Albans.

“That was so appropriate,’’ said Buttrey of the player who led the Big Reds in tackles virtually every game for two seasons. Although Littleton stands just 5-8 and weighs 190, no Big Red plays more aggressively.

Thomas’ selection as all-state defensive back was the second major honor he has received this month. Following the Big Reds’ state title win, Thomas was chosen as Parkersburg’s MVP for that game, which saw him throw two touchdown passes and a two-point conversion.

With Thomas as Parkersburg’s quarterback, Parkersburg won 27 of 28 games and two state titles. While his offensive numbers weren’t enough to beat out Nitro quarterback Michael Scott, who threw for more than 4,000 yards, there’s no way Thomas wasn’t going to be an all-stater.

“He’s not just a winner, he’s a champion,’’ Buttrey said. “Andy simply refuses to lose. He’s going to do whatever it takes to win and make sure those around him follow his lead.’’

Parkersburg also landed three players on the second team as senior offensive lineman Chris James, senior defensive lineman Joe Shafer and senior punter Tyler Warner received honors.

Matt Winans and Travis Bunner were named special honorable mention while Jeff Delancey was honorable mention.

Parkersburg's Big Reds achieved an historic first by defeating St. Albans 22-15 before a crowd of 7,000 at Wheeling Island Stadium to claim the 2007 Class AAA football championship.

The title was the 11th in school history, tying Ceredo-Kenova for the most state football championships in the history of West Virginia high school football. It also marked the first time a PHS football team had won back-to-back state titles in the 103 year history of the school.

Andy Thomas was named Most Valuable Player for PHS after passing for two touchdowns against the stubborn Red Dragons. Matt Lindamood had the other TD for the Big Reds, who finished 13-1 and not only won 27 of their last 28 games but the 20 seniors ended careers which saw them go undefeated at home.

The 2007 Big Red team finished the season as the second highest scoring team in school history with its total of 522 points, just three points shy of the all-time record of 525 points scored by the 2000 team. This year's 37.3 point per game average ranks fifth on the all-time list.

The Big Reds fell behind 8-0 early after a Red Dragon scoring drive on the game's first possession and a blocked punt safety on the first play of the second quarter. But they came back to tie the game on an 11-play, 58-yard scoring drive just before the half that was capped by Thomas' 20 yard scoring pass to Wes Ankrom and Thomas' two-point conversion completion to Stephen Roush.

PHS then put together two scoring drives in the third quarter to go ahead 22-8. Lindamood finished a nine-play, 66-yard drive with a one yard run with 6:51 on the clock and Thomas found Roush for a five yard scoring pass with 38 seconds left in the quarter to cap an eight-play, 39-yard drive. Tyler Warner added both extra point kicks.

St. Albans made a game of it by putting together a 72-yard drive to score on a nine yard pass from T.J. Feazelle to Derek Bodie with 7:17 left in the contest but the PHS defense stiffened on the next St. Albans possession, taking over after a fourth down fumble on the Big Reds' 26 yard line with 40 seconds remaining.

Thomas wound up with five completions in eight attempts for 51 yards while also rushing for 31 yards on 11 carries. Lindamood wound up his sensational career with 89 yards rushing on 22 attempts.

For more game details and statistics, click on Jett's Corner and St. Albans Playoff game.

00:52 PHS - Ankrom, Wes 20 yd pass from Thomas, Andy (Roush, Stephen pass from Thomas, Andy)

4th 07:17 SA - Bodie, Derek 9 yd pass from Feazelle, T.J. (Hizer, Tyler kick)

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Lindamood Named All-MSAC Player of Year; 8 Big Reds Honored on First Team

By KERRY PATRICK , Parkersburg News

PARKERSBURG — The Parkersburg High School football program finished second to George Washington in the Mountain State Athletic Conference standings, but ranked first among all league members with eight first-team representatives.

Leading the parade for the Big Reds was Player of the Year Matt Lindamood. During last Saturday’s 22-15 victory over St. Albans in the Class AAA championship game, the senior rushed for 88 yards and scored one touchdown. He finished the campaign with 2,472 yards on the ground and 38 total touchdowns.

“Obviously, the conference is loaded with very good athletes, so I didn’t know for sure who would be named the player of the year,” PHS coach Bernie Buttrey said. “Getting eight on the first team is amazing since we didn’t win the conference. We did have two teams from the conference in the state championship game, so that says a lot about the parity in our league.

“I am very happy with the selections and all the kids deserve it. It was a very talented football team at Parkersburg this year.”

Also named to the All-MSAC first-team offense for Parkersburg were linemen Josh Jenkins, Chris James and Zach Nolan. Jenkins is the first football player from West Virginia to be selected to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, which will be held next year on Jan. 5, in San Antonio, Texas.

“Those three guys on the offensive line worked so well together,” Buttrey said.

Tyler Warner, who converted a critical 35-yard field goal in the Big Reds’ semifinal win over University, was the first-team placekicker.

“It is so important to have a solid kicking game and Tyler put so many into the end zone which made it easier for our defense,” Buttrey said.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Big Reds placed three individuals on the first team — lineman Joe Shafer, linebacker Matt Littleton and defensive back Andy Thomas.

Shafer filled multiple roles on both sides of the ball. Thomas, who was the Big Reds’ Most Valuable Player in the St. Albans victory after throwing for two touchdowns, intercepted three passes during the course of the season. Littleton, meanwhile, racked up 94 total tackles over the 14-game stretch.

“Matt was all-conference and all-state last year, but unfortunately suffered an injury during the course of this season,” Buttrey said. “But it was nice that the coaches in the conference knew he was one of the best linebackers.

“Andy is one of the best free safeties I have coached. Even though he was a good quarterback, safety is where he deserved the most recognition.”

Also receiving recognition as honorable mention for Parkersburg were Matt Winans and Travis Bunner.

“Either one of those guys made as much contribution as the guys on the first team,” Buttrey said. “Matt Winans took over when Littleton got hurt. Travis Bunner was one of those unsung heroes. He was probably one of the strongest on the team.”

George Washington coach Steve Edwards, Jr., was named the Coach of the Year after leading the Patriots to a 9-1 regular-season finish. As the No. 1 seed in the Class AAA postseason, George Washington defeated Nicholas County 45-8 in the first round before losing to East Fairmont 14-3 in the quarterfinals.

Jenkins Named State's Gatorade Player of Year

The Big Red senior two-way lineman has been named as West Virginia's Gatorade High School Football Player of the year. He is the 13th PHS athlete to win the honor since it began 22 years ago. He is only the second Big Red to earn the honor in football, the previous being Nathan Kirby, a linebacker from the 1995 team.

This year Jenkins anchored an offensive line that allowed PHS to score 522 points (the second most in school history) while piling up 4,064 yards rushing (290.3 per game). On defense he played sparingly against most pass-oriented teams but against running teams like championship game opponent St. Albans he saw plenty of action and responded with 11 tackles. For the year he finished with 59 tackles, two sacks and three tackles for loss.

In 1985, The Gatorade Company established an award honoring America's elite high school student-athletes. Now celebrating its third decade of honoring the nation's best high school athletes, the Gatorade Player of the Year award has become the most prestigious award in high school sports. The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes one award-winner in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia that sanction high school football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls soccer, boys and girls basketball, baseball, softball, boys and girls track & field, and boys and girls cross country. As a result, the award's legacy is built on the achievement of more than 9,000 State and 186 National Players of the Year who have been honored during that time.

Amongst Gatorade Player of the Year award alumni, fans will discover names like Emmitt Smith, Lisa Leslie, Peyton Manning, Kerri Walsh, Derek Jeter, and Allyson Felix. These champions represent only a handful of exceptional talents who were first recognized by the Gatorade Player of the Year program before shining at the highest levels of competition. As its award enters a 23rd season, The Gatorade Company looks forward to saluting hundreds more high school athletes this year and thousands in the years to come.

Gatorade State Players of the Year are selected not only for their outstanding athletic excellence, but for their academic achievement and exceptional character.

The selection process is administered by RISE Magazine, the nation's leading sports and lifestyle magazine for teens. Featuring an editorial staff of prep sports writers from across the nation, RISE has comprehensively covered the world of high school sports for more than a decade and its 25 regionalized editions are currently distributed in more than 6,500 high schools nationwide.

In narrowing and evaluating the list of candidates for Gatorade State Player of the Year honors, RISE works with top sport-specific experts and a media advisory board of accomplished, veteran prep sports journalists.

All state winners are automatically eligible for the Gatorade National Player of the Year award in their respective sports.

Gatorade W.Va. State High School Football Players of the Year

1 GEORGE WASHINGTON 39 9 1 0 14.90
2 UNIVERSITY 133 9 1 0 14.50
3 PARKERSBURG 96 9 1 0 14.10
4 ROBERT C BYRD 140 10 0 0 13.90
5 SAINT ALBANS 113 9 1 0 13.50 2ND TIE
6 BRIDGEPORT 9 9 1 0 13.50 BREAKER
7 CAPITAL 17 8 2 0 12.30
8 EAST FAIRMONT 30 8 2 0 12.00
9 HURRICANE 59 8 2 0 11.90
10 RIVERSIDE 421 7 3 0 10.80
11 MARTINSBURG 74 7 3 0 10.50 or 10.40
12 BROOKE 10 7 3 0 10.20
13 NITRO 88 6 4 0 9.40
14 JOHN MARSHALL 63 7 3 0 9.00 1st TIE
15 MORGANTOWN 82 6 4 0 9.00
16 NICHOLAS COUNTY 87 7 3 0 8.50

17 JEFFERSON 62 5 5 0 8.10
18 FAIRMONT SENIOR 34 5 5 0 8.00
19 ELKINS 334 6 4 0 7.70
20 WHEELING PARK 147 5 5 0 7.20
21 SOUTH CHARLESTON 122 5 5 0 7.10
22 CABELL MIDLAND 347 4 6 0 5.80
23 WOODROW WILSON 152 4 6 0 5.70
24 SPRING VALLEY 410 4 6 0 5.60
25 MUSSELMAN 86 4 6 0 5.00
26 RIPLEY 111 3 7 0 4.60
27 HEDGESVILLE 52 3 7 0 4.10
28 BUCKHANNON-UPSHUR 11 3 7 0 3.90
28 GREENBRIER EAST 44 3 7 0 3.90
30 PRESTON 107 3 7 0 3.60
31 LEWIS COUNTY 65 2 8 0 2.00
32 HUNTINGTON 57 1 9 0 1.70
33 PRINCETON SENIOR 108 1 9 0 1.30
34 HAMPSHIRE 48 0 10 0 0.00
34 LINCOLN COUNTY HS 409 0 10 0 0.00
34 NORTH MARION 89 0 10 0 0.00
34 PARKERSBURG SOUTH 98 0 10 0 0.00

Tri-Valley quarterback Cam West was named 2007 Gridiron Glory Player of the Year. Parkersburg's Matt Lindamood was among the five finalists for the award, which was voted on by the fans in the WOUB viewing area. Other finalists were Meigs runningback Carnelius English, Portsmouth quarterback Shane Potter and Zanesville runningback Bryan Gaiters.

Team W-L Rat Overall

The Parkersburg Junior Varsity wrapped up a perfect 7-0 season with a 14-2 win at Ripley, the first undefeated junior varsity campaign in recent history.

Wins this season for the jayvees, in addition to the season finale at Ripley, were 24-12 over Cabell Midland, 20-0 over Beckley Woodrow Wilson, 28-6 over Riverside, 46-8 over Parkersburg South, 30-28 over George Washington and 22-12 over Capital. Games with South Charleston and Lincoln were canceled at the request of the opponents.

PHS outscored their opponents 184 to 68 while out-gaining them on the ground 1,771 (253 yards per game) to 623 (89 yards per game). In the air, opponents completed 49 of 106 passes for 691 yards (99 yards per game) and nine interceptions while PHS was 18 of 56 for 218 yards (31 yards per game) and seven interceptions.

Individually, Matt Newlon wound up completing 13 of 35 passes for 174 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions. Leading receivers were Tim Collins with five catches for 83 yards and three scores while Tommy Hathaway caught three for 57 yards and Christian Ong three for 31 yards.

On the ground, Steve Armitage ran 66 times for 731 yards and an average of 11.1 yards per carry while scoring nine touchdowns. Ong ran the ball 70 times for 446 yards and five touchdowns while Thomas Ruddlesden carried 26 times for 308 yards (11.9 yards per carry) and three touchdowns. Daniel Shank had 33 carries for 226 yards and four touchdowns while Jordan Smith and Jimmy Zoller also topped the 100 yard mark with 101 and 105 yards respectively.

Armitage was the leading scorer with nine touchdowns and a two-point conversion for 56 points while Ong had 32 points, Shank 26 and Ruddlesden 24.

Defensively, Kyle Brown had three interceptions while Ryan Black and Shank each had two pickoffs. Jon DeGarmo had five quarterback sacks while Ben Clark had two fumble recoveries and Michael Riblett had five tackles for loss and two sacks. Michael Winans finished with 56 tackles while Black contributed 47, Clark 37, DeGarmo 32, Riblett 31 and Chase Garrett 27.

Parkersburg News Sports Writer

Several high profile all-star football games came courting Josh Jenkins’ services.

But when it was all said and done, the senior lineman from Parkersburg High School figured he wanted to make sure the U.S. Army All-American Bowl filled his itinerary.

“The soldiers go out and fight every day to defend our country — the one thing I can do is play a football game for them,” Jenkins said Wednesday at Parkersburg High School where he was presented his jersey and recognized in front of family, friends and teammates. Sitting beside Jenkins during the ceremony were his mother, Debbie Johnson, and brother, Paul Johnson.

A collective effort by the Parkersburg administration and the U.S. Army gave Jenkins the royal treatment. The ceremony also included the Parkersburg High band.

“It’s such an honor to represent Parkersburg and the whole state of West Virginia,” Jenkins said. “This is one of the most prestigious things I’ve ever done. It’s good to see all the people who came out to support me.”

The U.S. Army All-American Bowl describes itself as the premier high school football game in the country. The game, which will be played in the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, on Jan. 5, 2008, features the top 84 high school football players in an East versus West showdown.

The backdrops on the gymnasium floor at Memorial Fieldhouse included life-size pictures of former All-American Bowl participants, including current NFL players Vince Young and Reggie Bush in addition to current college stars Brian Brohm and Tim Tebow.

Jenkins is the first player from West Virginia to be invited since the event’s inception in 2000.

“It’s a tremendous honor for Josh and it’s something we all share,” PHS football coach Bernie Buttrey said. “The attention Josh is getting with all the scouting and recruiting has been just unbelievable.

“There is always two sides to that depending on how the person handles all of it. That’s why I am so proud of Josh — he has handled all this so well.”

The festivities continue in late December when Jenkins arrives in San Antonio for a week-long list of activities. Jenkins, though, is putting the trip on the back-burner and focusing all his attention on the Big Reds’ chase for a second consecutive state championship. The Big Reds are in the midst of a 21-game game winning streak and ranked No. 1 in the state in Class AAA.

“The most important thing right now is winning a state championship — there is nothing more important,” Jenkins said. “The U.S. Army game is nice, but it’s right back to high school football and playing for the Big Reds.”

The U.S. Army All-American Bowl will be televised at 1 p.m. on NBC. The Parkersburg community is anxiously awaiting for Jenkins’ name to be announced on a national level.

“When he is introduced as being from Parkersburg, West Virginia, it will be nice to have that national recognition,” PHS athletic director Richard Lantz said. “This kind of reflects our program. This is our 103rd year of football, so we have a rich history of tradition.”

Jenkins has another major issue to attend to before his senior year is complete, and that has to do with which college will inherit his services. West Virginia University is at the top of the list.

“Josh is committed to West Virginia,” said PHS assistant coach Mark McCullough, who also serves as Jenkins’ mentor is dealing with college recruiters. “You have your Ohio State, Florida and Florida State. He’s looked at a few other things just to make sure that his choice is correct.

“Josh is a smart, young man and he wants to make sure his decision is correct because you only go through this once.”

Game representative Ariel Lippa served as master of ceremonies yesterday and also announced that Buttrey was chosen as one of 100 high school coaches to participate in a clinic conducted by college and NFL representatives.

“This is a tremendous honor and an opportunity for me to go and represent Parkersburg, West Virginia, and Parkersburg High School out in San Antonio,” Buttrey said. “But we have a lot of work to do before the (first week of December) when the state championship is, and before all (the U.S. Army All-American Bowl) happens.”

(For information on individual games, click on Jett's Corner, then jayvee games)

Game Date	Home/Away	Opponent Score
August 24	Home	Cabell Midland W 47-41
August 31	Home	Woodrow Wilson W 35-7
September 7	Home	South Charleston W 30-26
September 14	Away	Riverside W 22-12
September 21	Home	Greenbrier East W 51-0
September 28	Away	Lincoln County W 62-16
October 5	Away	Parkersburg South W 48-7
October 12	Away	George Washington L 14-19
October 19	Away	Capital W 25-0
October 26	Home	Ripley W 55-3
Nov. 10	Home	John Marshall (playoffs) W 35-0
Nov. 17	Home	Bridgeport ( playoffs) W 45-13
Nov. 23	Away	University (playoffs) W 31-21
Dec. 1	Away	St. Albans (finals at Wheeling) W 22-15

Josh Jenkins	2007-08	T/DE	Parkersburg HS
Brandon Tucker	2006-07	RB	Wheeling Central High School
Josh Culbertson	2005-06	RB/LB	Nitro HS
Nate Sowers	2004-05	QB/FS	Martinsburg High School
Brandon Barrett	2003-04	WR/DB	Martinsburg High School
Brandon Barrett	2002-03	WR/DB/P	Martinsburg
James Tunstalle	2001-02	RB/LB	Wyoming East
Mark Wigal	2000-01	QB	Morgantown
Ronnie Rodamer	1999-00	WR/DB	Morgantown
Quincy Wilson	1998-99	RB	Weir
Ed Drummond	1997-98	RB/S	Linsly School
Yubrenal Isabelle	1996-97	RB/LB	Bluefield
Nathan Kirby	1995-96	RB/LB	Parkersburg
Randy Moss	1994-95	WR/DB/KR	DuPont
Randy Moss	1993-94	WR	DuPont
Mark Cisar	1992-93	QB	Magnolia
Daryl Johnson	1991-92	RB/S	Wheeling Park
Eric McGhee	1990-91	RB/DB	Central Catholic
Todd Robinson	1989-90	DL	Capital
Keith Jeter	1988-89	RB/S	Weir
Tom Zban	1987-88	QB	Huntington East
Jeff Sweitzer	1986-87	QB/DB	Brooke
Ted Kester	1985-86	LB	Winfield