Symmetry both was obvious and subtle before and during Sunday afternoon's Marshall-Hargrave sub-varsity football matchup.

The relationship between university and prep school is long-standing and strong. Numerous impact players have signed with Marshall from the Virginia-based military academy and sub-varsity games date at least to the Jim Donnan coaching era.

So, there was Thundering Herd tight ends coach Phil Ratliff, coaching an undermanned Marshall sub-varsity squad against Hargrave stalwart Robert Prunty. Nearly two decades ago, Ratliff, the player, lined up against Hargrave as a burgeoning offensive lineman who eventually would earn All-American and Marshall Hall of Fame status, along with a 1992 Division I-AA national championship ring.

"It was a great opportunity for me to play a game and get myself back in shape and work on my skills as well, so it was very beneficial to me as a player and it's an opportunity for them to do the same," Ratliff said of current Herd players battling for playing time (wideout Tavaris Thompson and defensive end DeMetrius Thompson come to mind). "It's been around a long time. I played in it that many years ago.

"It's an opportunity for them to show what they have. They can come out and make a statement and say, 'Hey, take a look at me on Saturday nights.'

"And that's what they tried to do. They came out very business-like. It's very important to them."

It's also an opportunity for Marshall to showcase its program and university, while Hargrave student-athletes audition for scholarship offers during the process of attempting to win the game. Prunty needed zero prodding in rating the mutual success of this weekend's visit.

"I think the thing that was so exciting when our kids got here this year - there seems to be a big support system," Prunty said. "You can feel that they're ready to turn that corner, even from the fans.

"You didn't feel that totally this year, but you can see it. It's like the people can see the light that (Marshall head) coach (Mark) Snyder has been talking about with the program.

"This is the most excited our kids have been since they've been up here. We've got a lot of kids who told me 'Coach, I'd love to play here.'

"They love the stadium. They love the coaching staff. They loved the weight room and meeting everybody. It was outstanding. Coach Snyder is doing an outstanding job."

Speaking with players following Hargrave's 20-0 victory, potential Thundering Herd prospects raved about the entirety of their weekend in Huntington. Players toured campus and met with coaches and numerous officials.

When told of his players' feedback, Prunty nodded with a laugh.

"If there's anything in recruiting that's called a full-course meal, coach Snyder put out a full-course meal," Prunty said. "He had the baseball coach (Jeff Waggoner) ... everybody was involved with the kids.

"But I'm telling you, the thing these kids are more excited about is that they read the papers. They talk to the players who are on the team at Marshall and they're talking about the excitement that coach Snyder has.

"This train is getting ready to get rolling up here because the enthusiasm he's putting out. I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't pull out five kids from this class.

"He's going to offer some kids and they're very excited about it."

The Ratliff connection then was mentioned and Prunty again responded with a light chuckle. Then,he pointed to more recent history.

"You know what was really heart-touching?" asked Prunty. "When the bus rolled in, we looked up on the billboard and saw a picture of (former Hargrave standouts and current Marshall teammates) Chubb Small and Cody Slate together.

"And that just symbolizes the relationship between Hargrave and Marshall football. Two of our own connecting with Marshall.

"It's like coming home."

SUB-VARSITY STATS: Marshall quarterback Jonathan Garner, who has shared recent second-team snaps with Brian Anderson, ran the offense throughout, completing eight of 23 passes for 88 yards with one interception. Jo Jo Cox led Thundering Herd ball-carriers with 22 yards on four carries and fellow tailback Terrell Edwards caught three passes for 35 yards.

QB CLUB: Tuesday's weekly Huntington Quarterback Club luncheon features Snyder and Marshall sports information director Randy Burnside as speakers. Pullman Plaza Hotel doors open at 11:30 a.m. and the event begins at noon.

Anthony Hanshew covers Marshall football for The Herald-Dispatch. He can be reached at 526-2766. His e-mail address is hanshew@herald-dispatch.com.

AP Video