Coach envisions more than Friday night fever
By Anne Marie Kyzer Staff Writer

Coach Parker runs players through drills at an after-school workout.

Spring football is fast-approaching. The players are already running drills and working out three days a week. Before long, they'll be donning pads and passing footballs.

But while new Burke County High School head coach Eric Parker is plotting plays for practice, he's also making big plans for off the field.

Coach Parker hopes to use football to bring positive life experiences to his team.

"I want to instill good work habits and things they need to survive in society," Coach Parker told a group at the Exchange Club.

Part of his plan involves exposing the young men to good role models. Once a week, Coach Parker plans to invite someone, such as a judge or a minister, to speak to players about an aspect of life or career.

"Every time we can have someone positive talk to the kids, that's an opportunity we need to take," he reasoned.

For fall, Coach Parker is working on preliminary plans for community devotions with the football team each week.

"We're going to try to start a community huddle on Thursday evenings," he said.

The gathering, most likely to be organized as a Fellowship of Christian Athletes huddle, will call on various local ministers to lead devotion and pray with players and community members.

Coach Parker wants his guys to give back to the community as well, stressing service and involvement.

"We want to be very visible in the community and to support those people who support us on Friday night," he said.

The southwest Georgia native who grew up in the football crazed town of Camilla hopes that he can use the sport to bring positive change to Burke County.

"We want small town football at its best," Coach Parker said. "This is a good opportunity for us."