It is that time of year again where the air gets a little crisper and the lights at the Erickson All-Sports Facility start humming. If you’ve spent any time on Blizzard Drive lately, you know exactly what I’m talking about. We are looking ahead to the upcoming Parkersburg South football schedule, and honestly, there is a lot to unpack after the rollercoaster that was the 2025 season.
South is in a bit of a transition phase. New leadership, a tough Class AAAA landscape, and a fan base that expects nothing less than a deep playoff run every November. Last year was a bit of a grind, finishing 3-8, but let’s be real—the record doesn't always tell the whole story when you're playing the likes of Martinsburg and Morgantown week in and week out.
Breaking Down the Schedule and What to Expect
The 2026 season schedule is shaping up to be a gauntlet. While the WVSSAC (West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission) typically releases the finalized dates for the fall in the preceding months, we already have a very clear picture of who the Patriots will be facing based on the established two-year scheduling blocks.
You’ve gotta look at the marquee matchups first. The Crosstown Showdown against Parkersburg High is always the date everyone circles in red. Whether it’s at Stadium Field or Erickson, that game is basically its own season. In 2025, it was a heartbreaking 20-17 loss for the Patriots, so revenge is definitely on the menu for 2026.
Key Matchups for the 2026 Season
- Wheeling Park: This has become a brutal season opener. It’s a measuring stick game right out of the gate.
- Morgantown: Usually a mid-to-late season clash. The Mohigans have a way of testing a defense's discipline like nobody else.
- The PHS Game: As mentioned, this is the one. If you only go to one game all year, this is it.
- Martinsburg: The gold standard of WV high school football. South traveled there for the playoffs in 2025 and it was a tough 58-0 reality check. Getting them on the regular season slate is a different beast entirely.
New Leadership: The Larry Thompson Era
Kinda the big news around the program lately has been the shift in the coaching staff. Larry Thompson took the reins as head coach, moving over from his role as Athletic Director at Parkersburg Catholic. He’s not a stranger to the South sidelines, though, having been an assistant under Nate Tanner previously.
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Thompson brings a specific kind of energy. He’s an offensive-minded guy who also serves as the Offensive Coordinator. Honestly, the Patriots needed a spark on that side of the ball. In 2025, they had games where they put up 49 points (against Hurricane), but then they’d hit a wall against the elite defenses like Spring Mills or Martinsburg.
The coaching staff is deep this year:
- Sam Schuler (Defensive Coordinator)
- Zach Walls (Special Teams)
- John Price and Bryan Youngblood (Assistants)
It’s a group that knows the local talent pool well. They aren't just teaching X's and O's; they're trying to rebuild that "South Side" grit that made the 2022 team so dangerous when they went 12-2.
The Roster: Who is Stepping Up?
You can’t talk about the schedule without looking at who’s actually wearing the navy, white, and scarlet. High school football is a game of attrition and graduation. Losing a senior class is always tough, but the 2026 squad has some interesting pieces returning.
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Kinzyn Lutchmansingh is a name you’re going to hear a lot. He’s a big body at QB/LB (about 6'0", 205 lbs) and he’s got that dual-threat capability that keeps defensive coordinators awake at night. Then you’ve got guys like Taj Joyce, who at 6'5" is a massive target on the outside. If Thompson can get the timing down between Lutchmansingh and Joyce, that's a highlight reel waiting to happen.
The line is where games are won in the MSAC (Mountain State Athletic Conference) and Class AAAA. Dylan Tustin (6'3", 310 lbs) and Thomas Knopp (6'6", 300 lbs) are absolute mountains. Having that kind of size on the offensive line is a luxury most West Virginia schools just don't have. They need to be the anchors if South wants to improve on that 3-8 record.
Why the "AAAA" Classification Matters
If you’re wondering why the schedule looks so much tougher lately, it’s because of the WVSSAC's move to a four-class system. Parkersburg South is firmly in Class AAAA.
This means you’re playing the biggest schools with the deepest rosters every single week. There are no "off nights." In the old three-class system, you might have a few games where the starters could sit by the third quarter. Not anymore. Now, the Parkersburg South football schedule is basically a weekly battle against top-20 talent in the state.
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Practical Information for Fans
If you're planning on heading to the games, here is the "boots on the ground" info you actually need:
- Tickets: Most Wood County schools have moved toward digital ticketing. It’s way easier to grab them through the GoFan app rather than fumbling for cash at the gate.
- The Venue: The Erickson All-Sports Facility is located at 1210 13th Street. It’s not actually on the high school campus (which is on Blizzard Drive), so don't make the rookie mistake of driving to the school on Friday night.
- Parking: It gets crowded. Fast. If you aren't there 45 minutes before kickoff for a big game, you’re going to be walking a few blocks.
- Broadcasts: Can't make it to the stadium? WTAP and V96.9 usually handle the local coverage.
Actionable Steps for the Season
To stay truly updated as the 2026 season progresses, you should follow these specific channels:
- Check the WVSSAC official website for the most up-to-date playoff ratings. This is how the "points" are calculated, and it's the only way to know if South is actually in the hunt for a post-season berth.
- Follow the Parkersburg South Patriots Football Facebook page. This is usually where the last-minute schedule changes or weather delays get posted first.
- Download the MaxPreps app and favorite Parkersburg South. It’s the easiest way to see live score updates if you’re stuck at a wedding or work and can’t listen to the radio.
The 2026 season represents a massive opportunity for Coach Thompson and this group of seniors. They have the size on the line and the athleticism in the skill positions to surprise people. It’s just a matter of putting it all together when the whistle blows on that first Friday night in August.