Parrott football seeking three-peat
BY COREY JONES
The Daily Reflector
Thursday, August 24, 2017
Parrott Academy football has its sights on a groundbreaking third consecutive NCISAA state title.
Behind Matt Beaman, entering his sixth year as head coach, the Patriots have marched to an overall 39-18 record, including a victory last week over Bethel Christian to open the season. Beaman’s ability to win has been best displayed by the Patriots posting a winning record in each of his last four seasons.
“I was very pleased with last season obviously, winning a state championship, but we did not start off like we would have liked to,” Beaman said. “One reason for that is we did not have the turnout that we needed for summer workouts, but the guys didn’t give up, they kept their heads up and were able to pull off big upsets.”
The Patriots have a tough schedule ahead of them, but luckily for them they have the potential to set the tone early in the season as their first four games are at home. Their win against Bethel last Thursday avenged a 54-46 loss from last season.
Parrott will also face a handful of the top teams in the 2-A division: Rocky Mount, Southampton, St. David’s and Grace Christian.
St. David’s will surely be a tough matchup, as it’s in revenge mode after losing to the Patriots, 23-16, in the 2016 eight-man 2-A state championship.
“We’ve been preparing and repping all summer long. It’s a matter playing good assignment football and playing turnover-free,” Beaman said. “We’ve been trying to talk about big plays, and preventing turnovers, which really changes the outcome of games.”
QUICK HITS
Head coach: Matt Beaman (sixth season, 39-18)
Last year’s record: 7-4, 2-2 NCISAA Colonial Carolina 2A
Conference finish: Third.
Playoffs: Beat St David’s, 23-16, to win state championship.
OFFENSE
Parrott will remain in the same spread offense as last year. This will force defenses to ultimately defend the whole field.
Third-year starting quarterback Connor Bright will continue to receive snaps and facilitate the offense in his last season as a Patriot.
Seniors AJ Banker and Holden Killinger remain as Bright’s key targets. Banker had 38 receptions for 708 yards and nine touchdowns in 2016, and Killinger had 30 receptions for 640 yards and 11 touchdowns.
KEY RETURNERS
Mclawhorn, RB: 72 carries, 261 yards, two TDs.
Sylvia, WR: 17 receptions, 300 yards, three TDs.
KEY DEPARTURES
Daniels, FB: 82 carries, 569 yards, nine TDs.
DEFENSE
The Patriots will be defending in a two-gap system, but they will have to do it without both of their former starting middle linebackers.
Beaman has made replacements for his departed linebackers, and he feels as they continue to get playing time, they will quickly adjust and get the job done effectively.
Sophomore defensive lineman Blake Smith (6-foot, 205 pounds), looks to have another solid season after 25 tackles and a sack his freshman year.
Banker has displayed his versatility, flourishing on both sides of the ball, and his excellent pass coverage and field vision will be key for the Patriots’ defense.
KEY RETURNERS
Killinger, LB: 70 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, five sacks, interception.
Banker, S: 34 tackles, eight interceptions.
KEY DEPARTURES
Daniels, MLB: 126 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, six sacks.
Grady, LB: 121 tackles, nine tackles for loss, four sacks.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Parrott is having to find a replacement for Michael Mikhal at kicker, who made 15-of-17 extra point attempts (88.0 percent), and 2-of-4 field goals last season.
BY COREY JONES
The Daily Reflector
Thursday, August 24, 2017
Parrott Academy football has its sights on a groundbreaking third consecutive NCISAA state title.
Behind Matt Beaman, entering his sixth year as head coach, the Patriots have marched to an overall 39-18 record, including a victory last week over Bethel Christian to open the season. Beaman’s ability to win has been best displayed by the Patriots posting a winning record in each of his last four seasons.
“I was very pleased with last season obviously, winning a state championship, but we did not start off like we would have liked to,” Beaman said. “One reason for that is we did not have the turnout that we needed for summer workouts, but the guys didn’t give up, they kept their heads up and were able to pull off big upsets.”
The Patriots have a tough schedule ahead of them, but luckily for them they have the potential to set the tone early in the season as their first four games are at home. Their win against Bethel last Thursday avenged a 54-46 loss from last season.
Parrott will also face a handful of the top teams in the 2-A division: Rocky Mount, Southampton, St. David’s and Grace Christian.
St. David’s will surely be a tough matchup, as it’s in revenge mode after losing to the Patriots, 23-16, in the 2016 eight-man 2-A state championship.
“We’ve been preparing and repping all summer long. It’s a matter playing good assignment football and playing turnover-free,” Beaman said. “We’ve been trying to talk about big plays, and preventing turnovers, which really changes the outcome of games.”
QUICK HITS
Head coach: Matt Beaman (sixth season, 39-18)
Last year’s record: 7-4, 2-2 NCISAA Colonial Carolina 2A
Conference finish: Third.
Playoffs: Beat St David’s, 23-16, to win state championship.
OFFENSE
Parrott will remain in the same spread offense as last year. This will force defenses to ultimately defend the whole field.
Third-year starting quarterback Connor Bright will continue to receive snaps and facilitate the offense in his last season as a Patriot.
Seniors AJ Banker and Holden Killinger remain as Bright’s key targets. Banker had 38 receptions for 708 yards and nine touchdowns in 2016, and Killinger had 30 receptions for 640 yards and 11 touchdowns.
KEY RETURNERS
Mclawhorn, RB: 72 carries, 261 yards, two TDs.
Sylvia, WR: 17 receptions, 300 yards, three TDs.
KEY DEPARTURES
Daniels, FB: 82 carries, 569 yards, nine TDs.
DEFENSE
The Patriots will be defending in a two-gap system, but they will have to do it without both of their former starting middle linebackers.
Beaman has made replacements for his departed linebackers, and he feels as they continue to get playing time, they will quickly adjust and get the job done effectively.
Sophomore defensive lineman Blake Smith (6-foot, 205 pounds), looks to have another solid season after 25 tackles and a sack his freshman year.
Banker has displayed his versatility, flourishing on both sides of the ball, and his excellent pass coverage and field vision will be key for the Patriots’ defense.
KEY RETURNERS
Killinger, LB: 70 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, five sacks, interception.
Banker, S: 34 tackles, eight interceptions.
KEY DEPARTURES
Daniels, MLB: 126 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, six sacks.
Grady, LB: 121 tackles, nine tackles for loss, four sacks.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Parrott is having to find a replacement for Michael Mikhal at kicker, who made 15-of-17 extra point attempts (88.0 percent), and 2-of-4 field goals last season.
