2026 Team Preview: Parkersburg Big Reds

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Get 30% Off Your Subscription with Code PRZWV30 at Checkout!</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2025 SEASON RECAP</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Biggest Losses: LB Sylas Cheuvront - WR Tytan Parsons - DL Adam Elder - RB Ethan Jones - ATH Braxton Kupfner</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Parkersburg finished the 2025 season with a 5-6 record and another trip to the Class AAAA playoffs before exiting in the opening round to University. The Big Reds have hovered around the .500 mark over the past couple seasons, but the program continues to make steady progress toward breaking through. A relatively small senior class means much of last year's roster returns, giving Parkersburg valuable continuity entering 2026. With experience now on its side, the Big Reds have a strong opportunity to take another step forward this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2026 SCHEDULE</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>8/28: vs Morgantown<br>9/4: at Spring Valley<br>9/11: vs Hurricane<br>9/18: at Parkersburg South<br>9/25: at Riverside<br>10/2: at George Washington<br>10/9: vs Huntington<br>10/16: at Cabell Midland<br>10/30: vs Herbert Hoover<br>11/6: vs Oak Hill</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>2025 Record: </strong>5-6 (Playoffs Round One)<br><strong>2026 Prediction</strong>: 5-5</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2026 OUTLOOK</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Parkersburg appears headed for another competitive season as the Big Reds continue working to climb the Class AAAA ladder. While another finish around the .500 mark seems likely, the encouraging news is that much of the program's top talent resides in the 2028 and 2029 classes. That young core should continue gaining valuable experience this fall while laying the foundation for bigger seasons ahead. Even if the win-loss record doesn't show a dramatic jump, expect Parkersburg to make meaningful progress against one of the state's toughest levels of competition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>COLLEGE PROSPECTS TO KNOW</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["920510"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a4a77091ca8e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>RETURNING STANDOUT</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Big Reds will lean on 2027 OL Drey Grinter to help set the tone in the trenches again this season. Grinter plays with a physical edge and brings the type of mentality every offense wants from its offensive line, creating movement at the point of attack and opening running lanes. His ability to finish blocks makes him a valuable piece in Parkersburg's ground game. As one of the returning senior leaders up front, Grinter will play an important role in keeping the offense moving this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19478468/6a3028797203a0318f056020u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a4beeb65fae2"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1331228"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a4a770920ebe"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>BREAKOUT CANDIDATE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>2027 Parkersburg LB Devin Widman gives the Big Reds a proven leader in the middle of their defense entering his senior season. A First Team All-MSAC and Second Team Class AAAA All-State selection, Widman has built a reputation as one of the conference's most productive linebackers with his physical, downhill style of play. He'll once again be counted on to anchor the defense and provide steady leadership for a roster that features plenty of young talent. With another productive season and more film available, Widman has the opportunity to attract increased attention from college programs this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/19521175/6908b0c05a71b8ebb86b51d9u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a4beeb65fb82"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1077100"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a4a770921145"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>RETURNING STANDOUT</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Parkersburg has one of the state's top young building blocks in 2028 WR/ATH Brady Thorn. Already a varsity contributor since his freshman season, Thorn has developed into one of the premier athletes in the 2028 class and is a prospect capable of drawing more D1 attention. The Big Reds will look to get the ball in his hands often this fall while also relying on him to make plays on defense and special teams. With his versatility and playmaking ability, Thorn has the talent to impact every game in a variety of ways and a danger in all three phases of the game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/22495306/6927399d2f15039a598d0d9au0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a4beeb65fbf3"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2112368"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a4a7709211a4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700"><strong>BREAKOUT CANDIDATE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the more exciting young players in Parkersburg's program is 2029 RB/LB Tyreke Glover. Glover already gives the Big Reds a talented two-way athlete with the ability to impact the game in multiple phases, but his highest ceiling may come at running back. His blend of speed, power, and physicality, aided by a strong wrestling background, makes him a difficult player to bring down in the open field. As Parkersburg's young core continues to develop, Glover has all the tools to become one of the program's go-to playmakers over the next few seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src=u0022https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/26745818/68c843e1b470a5e73acd3c33u0022 width=u0022640u0022 height=u0022360u0022 frameborder=u00220u0022 allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a4beeb65fc88"} /--> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>OTHER PLAYERS TO KNOW</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Austin Craven - 2027 TE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tyler Cameron - 2027 ATH/LB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cole Sisk - 2027 ATH/K</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Daleon Evans - 2027 RB/EDGE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Javel Chandler - 2028 DB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Alex Greer - 2028 QB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Gavin Bowman - 2028 RB/LB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Karsen Kimes - 2029 ATH</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Noah Smith 2029 QB</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jackson Barton - 2029 OL/DL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ben Eakin - 2029 OL/DL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dalton Earley - 2029 OL/DL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jacob Mounts - 2029 OL/DL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->