HUNTINGTON HIGHLANDER FOOTBALL 2025
2013, 2017, 2021, 2022 - MSAC CHAMPIONS
2013 & 2021 - AAA STATE RUNNER UP
97, 98, 99, 03, 11,12,15,17,21,22,23,24 - QUARTER FINALS
2014, 2017, 2021 , 2022, 2023, 2024 - FINAL FOUR
2022-STATE CHAMPIONS
Big Plays, Big Stops, Big Road Win: Highlanders Take Down Big Reds, 38–14
PARKERSBURG — Huntington needed exactly one offensive snap to announce its arrival at Stadium Field.
Marek Midkiff found Donte Newsome over the middle, Newsome turned on the jets, and 75 yards later, the Highlanders were in the end zone. Some fans might still have been settling into their seats. Huntington was already settling into the lead. That opening lightning bolt set the tone Friday, October 9, as the #5 Huntington Highlanders defeated the #7 Parkersburg Big Reds, 38–14, improving to 5–1 with a performance packed with explosive offense and relentless defensive pressure. Newsome supplied four touchdowns. Midkiff threw for three. The defense collected seven sacks. Now that’s a productive road trip.
Parkersburg did have an early opportunity to answer. A 51-yard run moved the Big Reds to Huntington’s 10-yard line, but the Highlanders slammed the brakes on the drive. Ilias King helped stop a run for no gain, Jaxson Seals dropped a receiver behind the line, and Parkersburg eventually missed a field goal wide right. The Big Reds had reached the doorstep. Huntington kept the door locked. Leading 7–0 entering the second quarter, the Highlanders went back to work through the air. Midkiff connected with Kellen Rife for a 43-yard gain to the Parkersburg 10, setting up a six-yard touchdown pass to Newsome. Huck Capitan’s extra point made it 14–0.
Newsome’s next trip to the end zone came by ground delivery. After catches by Newsome and Rife helped move Huntington downfield, Newsome ripped off a 34-yard touchdown run. The play-by-play credited him with two broken tackles and 24 yards after contact on the scoring burst — a combination of speed, strength and a strong objection to being tackled. By halftime, Huntington led 21–0.
The Highlanders’ defense picked up right where it left off after the break. Grady Franks and King combined on a third-down sack, and a bad snap on Parkersburg’s ensuing punt attempt helped Huntington take over at the Big Reds’ 40. Newsome promptly raced 34 yards to the six. Following a Parkersburg penalty, he finished the job with a three-yard touchdown run. Four touchdowns. Two receiving, two rushing. One very busy No. 1.
Newsome finished with 92 rushing yards on five carries and 101 receiving yards on four catches, giving him 193 yards from scrimmage. He also broke up three passes on defense, because apparently scoring four touchdowns wasn’t enough to fill his evening. Parkersburg finally broke through with a 60-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter, cutting Huntington’s lead to 28–7. The Highlanders answered with a drive that featured contributions from Johnny Garrett, Travon Okonkwo, Tyler Long, Newsome and Rife. Midkiff capped it with a 26-yard touchdown pass to Rife, and Huntington restored its 28-point advantage. Rife finished with five catches for 109 yards and a touchdown, while Midkiff completed 17 of 27 passes for 259 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. Garrett added six receptions for 35 yards, repeatedly giving Huntington another dependable option.
Okonkwo contributed 47 rushing yards and even took a turn delivering the football, completing a 14-yard pass to Long on fourth-and-eight during Huntington’s final scoring drive. Capitan finished that possession with a field goal and went a perfect five-for-five on extra points.
Huntington piled up 432 yards of total offense, including 273 passing and 159 rushing, while holding Parkersburg to 170 total yards and just 48 net rushing yards. The defensive pressure came from every direction. Antonyo Paschall recorded two sacks, three tackles for loss and four quarterback hurries. King led the tackle chart with 12 stops — six solo and six assists — while Franks added five quarterback hurries. Dre Barber delivered one of the evening’s loudest defensive statements, dropping the Parkersburg quarterback for a 19-yard loss in the third quarter. The Big Reds finished 0-for-13 on third down. Ethan Goodson supplied the closing punctuation with a late interception, and Huntington ran out the remaining clock.
Homecoming Brings a No. 1 Challenge
The Highlanders return to Bob Sang Stadium next week for Homecoming, and the guest list includes a serious contender: the undefeated, 6–0, #1 George Washington Patriots. Leading the Patriots is “Super Sophomore” Jaden Black, who has already rushed for 990 yards this season. Keeping him contained will require disciplined pursuit, sound tackling and a defense that arrives together. Huntington’s performance at Parkersburg provides plenty to build on. The Highlanders pressured the quarterback, repeatedly won on third down and showed how quickly their offense can change a game. Against George Washington, those strengths will need to come with fewer costly mistakes after Huntington drew 11 penalties at Stadium Field. For Midkiff, Newsome, Rife and the offense, the challenge is to keep creating explosive plays while sustaining drives. For the defense, it’s to make Black earn every yard. Homecoming festivities. A visiting No. 1 team. A Highlander squad coming home at 5–1.
Break out the green and gold, pack Bob Sang Stadium and bring the noise. Huntington has a big night ahead — and a chance to make it unforgettable.
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