The Richmond Register

Sports

July 20, 2012

Parks aiming high

By Tim Mandell Register Sports Writer

RICHMOND — Brandon Parks has been causing headaches for opposing offenses for the past three years.

And that’s a good thing for the Madison Central High School senior, who has begun catching the eye of Division I schools.

Parks, a defensive tackle listed at 6-31/2, 250 pounds, had 47 tackles, three sacks and one fumble recovery last year while mostly drawing double teams.

Since finishing play for the 5-6 district champion Indians, Parks has stayed busy, finishing sixth in the shot put and ninth in the discus at the Class 3A track meet.

This summer Parks has also been hitting the field at a series of invite only football camps, where he has displayed his talents for college coaches.

He competed in the NFL High School Player Development Camp in Lexington, and was one of a small number of players invited to Indianapolis to attend a national camp.

Parks also attended the NIKE Football Training Camp in Columbus, Ohio and went to football camps at Ball State, Kentucky and Tennessee.

In addition to receiving mail from those schools, other schools, such as Michigan and Louisville, have also shown an interest.

“I think he’s a big time Division I defensive lineman,” said Madison Central football coach Bert Browne. “He’s impossible to block one-on-one. Defensively he gives teams nightmares because they’re going to have to double team him somehow.”

Parks said at the camps he learned to use his hands more to elude offensive players and the confidence he gained from the coach’s positive feedback was invaluable.

“College coaches were telling me I have the size to be one of the best and I feel like I can do that,” Parks said. “What really stood out for me at the camps was how intense the coaches were. They were way more intense than anybody thought they would be. They really got after us. It makes me want to go to more camps and play college because of all the things coaches were telling my I could do with myself.”

Central began practice last week for the 2012 season.

While Parks may play some offense, he excels on the defensive side of the ball, where despite his size, his quickness is an asset.

“He’s an extremely athletic big man that has a big wing span and he can run,” Browne said. “His hard work in the weight room is something that will make him an exceptional player.”

Last year Central rushed for 2,084 yards (189.4 per game), passed for 1,127 yards (102.5) and averaged 23.8 points per game.

With most of the key offensive players back, Parks gets to practice against a high octane offense every day.

“I try to dominate everybody on the team,” Parks said. “I feel if I can do it against our team I can do it against most anybody out there.”

Central opens the season Aug. 18 at EKU against Boone County.

 

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