South鈥檚 Thompson suspended for season opener
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PARKERSBURG - A misinterpretation of the rules best describes the penalty handed down on the Parkersburg South football program and coach Larry Thompson.
On June 8 this past summer, the administration at Parkersburg South High School received notification from the WVSSAC that coach Thompson will be suspended from his duties for the team's two scrimmage games and the season-opener on Friday, Aug. 28 against Wheeling Park at Erickson All-Sports Facility.
"Due to our rules infraction, the WVSSAC has imposed sanctions that include coach Thompson missing two scrimmage games and the season opener," Parkersburg South High School Maria Francisco said in a statement. "Parkersburg South athletics and coach Thompson take full responsibility for this misinterpretation of a rule. We have taken the steps necessary to make sure that this does not happen again.
"Our assistant coaches are capable and ready to take on the lead role in Coach Thompson鈥檚 absence."
The penalty stems from a flex day taken by the South football program during the spring.
"I'm not an excuse maker, I'm a man of integrity - I made a mistake," Thompson said. "I misinterpreted a rule.That's what it boils down to.
"I was under the impression if you follow the six-day progression, you can put pads on and you can have soft contact -- if you have a trainer there, if you stay within the practice guidelines. That is exactly what I did on that afternoon."
The WVSSAC follows the guidelines set forth by the National Federation of State High School Associations. According to the guidelines implemented for 2026, no contact is allowed until Aug. 3 and 4, and soft equipment contact with helmets and pads is not allowed until Aug. 6 and 7.
"I set everything up like a practice and we went through individual drills. - we went through what we call dynamic warm-up. We did a special teams. We went though individual, we went through combo then we had a team portion. It just so happens we did it in May rather than in August."
Coach Thompson guaranteed he will be listening to the season-opener against Wheeling Park and anxious to join his staff for Week 2 when South hosts University.
"All those gentlemen on my staff are extremely loyal to this town, this community, to the school and to myself," Thompson said. "I have all the faith in the world my staff will lead those kids out on Aug. 28 for a huge win here at Erickson."