If you drive into Mason County on a Friday evening in October, you’ll notice something pretty quickly. The streets of the town are weirdly quiet. It’s like everyone just vanished. But then you hear it—the faint, rhythmic thump of a drum line and the crackled voice of a stadium announcer echoing off the Ohio River. That’s Point Pleasant football. It’s not just a school activity here. It’s basically the heartbeat of the community.
The Big Blacks Identity
Point Pleasant Junior/Senior High School is home to the Big Blacks. Yeah, the name is unique. It’s one of those traditional monikers that sticks with you. For decades, this program has been a powerhouse in West Virginia’s AA and AAA landscapes. People around here don't just "go to the game." They live it. You’ll see grandfathers who played in the 70s sitting next to toddlers wearing miniature jerseys.
The program has seen some massive success under coaches like David Trowbridge and more recently, Dave Darst. Darst really turned the dial up. He built a culture where losing wasn't just discouraged; it felt out of place. During his tenure, the Big Blacks became a perennial playoff threat, often running the table in the regular season. They developed this reputation for being physically punishing. If you’re playing Point Pleasant, you’re going to be sore on Saturday morning. That’s just the deal.
Honestly, the atmosphere at Ohio River Valley Bank Stadium—better known as "The Point"—is electric. There’s something about that turf and the way the lights reflect off the river fog that makes it feel like a movie set. It’s gritty. It’s loud. It’s West Virginia football at its absolute purest.
Why the Triple Option Defined an Era
For a long time, Point Pleasant was synonymous with the triple option. It’s a grind-it-out, ball-control style of play that drives defensive coordinators insane. While the rest of the world was falling in love with the "Air Raid" and 50 passes a game, the Big Blacks were happy to run the ball 50 times down your throat.
It worked.
In 2011 and 2012, they were nearly unstoppable. They reached the state semifinals and the championship game, showing the rest of the state that old-school physicality still wins games. They produced athletes like Cody Walker and Aden Yates who became local legends. These guys weren't just fast; they were tough. They fit the town's blue-collar vibe perfectly.
The thing about the triple option is that it requires total discipline. One wrong step and the play dies. Watching Point Pleasant run it at its peak was like watching a Swiss watch, if the watch was made of steel and wanted to tackle you. They moved in total unison.
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Recent Shifts in the Cardinal Conference
Lately, things have shifted a bit. The landscape of West Virginia high school sports is always changing with reclassification. Point Pleasant has moved between classes, and they currently compete in the Cardinal Conference. This means they’re playing teams like Winfield, Herbert Hoover, and Logan. It’s a brutal schedule. There are no "off" weeks in this conference.
You’ve got to realize that in a small town, a "down" year might still mean a winning record and a playoff berth. The expectations are just that high. If they don't make a deep run in November, the local diners are full of "armchair coaches" explaining exactly what went wrong. But that’s the beauty of it. People care enough to be upset.
The Battle for the Bend and Rivalries
You can't talk about Point Pleasant football without mentioning the rivalries. The biggest one? Probably the "Battle for the Bend" against Wahama. Even though they haven't always been in the same class, the geographical proximity makes it intense. Then you have the games against Ravenswood or Winfield. These aren't just games; they're territorial disputes.
I remember talking to a former player who said that the week leading up to the Winfield game felt different. The air in the locker room was heavier. The practices were longer.
- The intensity starts in the weight room in February.
- It carries through the humid two-a-days in August.
- It peaks under the lights in October.
The community support is massive. The "Point Pleasant Football Boosters" are a machine. They raise money for equipment, travel, and scholarships, ensuring that the kids have everything they need to compete with the bigger schools in Charleston or Huntington. It's a true grassroots effort.
Looking at the Modern Roster
If you look at the current roster, you see the same last names coming up over and over. Legacy is huge here. You’ll see a kid playing linebacker whose dad was an All-State guard twenty years ago. This continuity is part of why the program stays relevant. The kids grow up watching their older brothers and cousins, waiting for their turn to wear the black and white.
The coaching staff today continues to emphasize strength and conditioning. In the modern game, speed is king, but in the trenches of Mason County, strength still holds the crown. They’ve adapted some spread concepts to keep defenses honest, but the core identity remains: they want to outwork you in the fourth quarter.
A lot of people think high school sports are just a hobby. In Point Pleasant, it’s a pathway. Several players have gone on to play at the collegiate level, from smaller D2 schools like West Virginia State or Glenville State to occasionally landing spots at D1 programs. It’s a point of pride for the town to see a former Big Black playing on Saturdays on TV.
The Reality of Small-Town Athletics
It’s not all sunshine and trophies, though. Like many rural areas, Point Pleasant faces challenges. Enrollment numbers fluctuate. Keeping kids interested in football when there are so many other distractions is a constant battle for the coaching staff.
But there’s a grit in Point Pleasant that you don't find everywhere. Maybe it's the history of the town—the river trade, the old TNT area, the Mothman legends—but there's a certain "us against the world" mentality. When the team travels to places like Parkersburg or Martinsburg, they know they’re the underdogs from the river. They embrace that.
The stadium itself is a testament to this. It’s been renovated and kept up with meticulous care. When you sit in those stands, you aren't just watching a game; you’re participating in a tradition that spans generations. It’s one of the few places where time feels like it stands still for 48 minutes of game time.
Actionable Steps for Fans and Newcomers
If you’re looking to get involved or just want to experience Point Pleasant football for the first time, here is what you need to do.
First, check the schedule on the West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission (WVSSAC) website. The schedule usually drops in the summer, and you’ll want to circle the home games against conference rivals.
Second, get to the stadium early. Parking can be a nightmare because, again, the whole town shows up. Grab some food from the concession stand—the pepperoni rolls are usually a safe and delicious bet—and find a seat in the middle of the bleachers.
Third, follow the local sports media. Outlets like the Point Pleasant Register or regional sports blogs provide deep dives into player stats and game previews that you won't find on national sites.
Finally, if you’re a parent of a young athlete in the area, look into the youth league programs. The "Point Pleasant Youth Football" league is the feeder system for the high school. Getting kids started early with the fundamentals is exactly how the Big Blacks have maintained their winning tradition for so long.
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The strength of the program isn't just in the coaching or the talent; it’s in the fact that the town refuses to let the flame go out. As long as there’s a pigskin and a patch of grass near the Ohio River, Point Pleasant will be there, ready to hit somebody.