SCOL Player Profile: Parks 'doing his part' for Blue Lions
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
He started playing for the Big Boys when he was learning the game in pony league, and this season he will play his final high school season at Gardner Park, suiting up at running back for the Washington Blue Lions.
Ben Parks said football was his favorite sport, and he loves the game.
His varsity head coach Corey Dye said he's an exceptional athlete, and he is the best running back he's ever coached.
"Since I've been coaching running backs all I can say he is the best." Dye said. "Ben has great vision, speed, and he works extremely hard while being tough.
"Ben is an unselfish player and he is definitely a kid coaches talk about. He is just one of those special players. Ben doesn't complain or question why. He is a team player."
Parks said no game is more important than the other, as he treats each game equally.
"No game is bigger than any other game, but it will be interesting to see where we compete. The coaches are getting us ready."
Though he didn’t have a favorite individual moment last season, Parks did have some favorite team moments from last season when the Blue Lions finished 6-4 overall.
"The screens we ran last year, they hit big a lot of times," Parks said. "The ones we hit in Greenfield (McClain) and Hillsboro stick out the most."
Being a varsity running back for what will be his third season, Parks plays one of the most important roles on the Blue Lions and enjoys rushing the football with the blockers he has making a path in front of him each Friday.
"I love running the ball behind this offensive line, plus having Riley Shaw at fullback, that is key," Parks said. "We're not too big, but we are strong and quick. We have a lot of returning lettermen, and we are all stepping up, and that is a big help."
One of Parks' linemen he runs behind is his twin brother, Jacob who is also a senior.
"It is neat he (Ben) gets to play with him (Jacob)," Dye said. "Jacob is a lineman and he gets to lead the way for Ben. Jacob is a hard worker, team player and has a great attitude."
Parks doesn't just run the football, he also plays linebacker on defense, where he said the best part about the position is "coming up and smacking people."
Like all players who buckle up a chin strap on Friday nights, Parks and his teammates have goals, and he also described himself as a team player.
"As a team we are wanting to be one of the best teams to play here (Washington). That is one of our goals," he said. "I am a team player, and a lot of the guys on the team are dedicated to this (team), I am just doing my part.
"A lot of my friends are football players, and that keeps me going. I just want to make things the best they can be."
Football isn't the only physical sport Parks competes in, as he is a member of the Blue Lions' wrestling program.
"Both sports are tough, and that is what I like about them. Both make you tough, and I just want to keep getting better," Parks said. "Going through these sports helps you out in life, whatever you go through, sports have a lot of learning factors."
Parks respects the history of Blue Lion football, as the school has had numerous trips to the state playoffs, alone with league championships in the SCOL and the former Buckeye Athletic Conference (BAC).
One part of the history Parks looks at with the most respect is the number on his jersey, No. 31.
The No. 31 was worn by former Washington Blue Lion football great Carl Smith, but Parks first donned the jersey number in pony league.
"Carl Smith wore the number and that is why I stick with the number now," he said. "He (Smith) played on some great teams and a lot of people know about Carl Smith. I want to try and to live up to the number. I want to live up to the standard he had."[[In-content Ad]]
Ben Parks said football was his favorite sport, and he loves the game.
His varsity head coach Corey Dye said he's an exceptional athlete, and he is the best running back he's ever coached.
"Since I've been coaching running backs all I can say he is the best." Dye said. "Ben has great vision, speed, and he works extremely hard while being tough.
"Ben is an unselfish player and he is definitely a kid coaches talk about. He is just one of those special players. Ben doesn't complain or question why. He is a team player."
Parks said no game is more important than the other, as he treats each game equally.
"No game is bigger than any other game, but it will be interesting to see where we compete. The coaches are getting us ready."
Though he didn’t have a favorite individual moment last season, Parks did have some favorite team moments from last season when the Blue Lions finished 6-4 overall.
"The screens we ran last year, they hit big a lot of times," Parks said. "The ones we hit in Greenfield (McClain) and Hillsboro stick out the most."
Being a varsity running back for what will be his third season, Parks plays one of the most important roles on the Blue Lions and enjoys rushing the football with the blockers he has making a path in front of him each Friday.
"I love running the ball behind this offensive line, plus having Riley Shaw at fullback, that is key," Parks said. "We're not too big, but we are strong and quick. We have a lot of returning lettermen, and we are all stepping up, and that is a big help."
One of Parks' linemen he runs behind is his twin brother, Jacob who is also a senior.
"It is neat he (Ben) gets to play with him (Jacob)," Dye said. "Jacob is a lineman and he gets to lead the way for Ben. Jacob is a hard worker, team player and has a great attitude."
Parks doesn't just run the football, he also plays linebacker on defense, where he said the best part about the position is "coming up and smacking people."
Like all players who buckle up a chin strap on Friday nights, Parks and his teammates have goals, and he also described himself as a team player.
"As a team we are wanting to be one of the best teams to play here (Washington). That is one of our goals," he said. "I am a team player, and a lot of the guys on the team are dedicated to this (team), I am just doing my part.
"A lot of my friends are football players, and that keeps me going. I just want to make things the best they can be."
Football isn't the only physical sport Parks competes in, as he is a member of the Blue Lions' wrestling program.
"Both sports are tough, and that is what I like about them. Both make you tough, and I just want to keep getting better," Parks said. "Going through these sports helps you out in life, whatever you go through, sports have a lot of learning factors."
Parks respects the history of Blue Lion football, as the school has had numerous trips to the state playoffs, alone with league championships in the SCOL and the former Buckeye Athletic Conference (BAC).
One part of the history Parks looks at with the most respect is the number on his jersey, No. 31.
The No. 31 was worn by former Washington Blue Lion football great Carl Smith, but Parks first donned the jersey number in pony league.
"Carl Smith wore the number and that is why I stick with the number now," he said. "He (Smith) played on some great teams and a lot of people know about Carl Smith. I want to try and to live up to the number. I want to live up to the standard he had."[[In-content Ad]]