Arendell Parrott Academy brings family bond to field
By Christopher Decker The Free Press
Posted Aug 17, 2019 at 12:02 AM
Before every home football game, Arendell Parrott Academy senior Trey Mclawhorn and his teammates head over to head coach Matt Beaman’s house to have dinner. It’s a relaxed atmosphere, Mclawhorn said, and a time to bond before heading out to battle under the lights.
“It helps us have more of a family bond. It’s always pretty fun. We play pool and watch football,” he said. “Coach is pretty relaxed but when we get on the field it’s game time.”
After spending his high school career at Parrott, Beaman took over as head coach in 2012 and has led the Patriots to a 52-24 record in those six years. The Patriots have won two NCISAA Class I eight-man state championships and made four straight state championship appearances from 2013 through 2017.
“I knew we had a chance,” Beaman said. “The coaches before me did a great job getting the program on the map. I felt like we had a chance and the guys have bought into the weight room and have bought into what we are trying to do here.”
Last year ended in disappointment for the Patriots, however, falling to Faith Christian 72-20 in the 2018 semi-finals of the NCISAA eight-man playoffs and preventing Parrott from advancing to their fifth straight championship appearance.
“It hurt for those seniors. It was a tough way to go out,” Beaman said. “We just ran up against a better team and got beat physically. We’ve tried to devote our time in the weight room so that it doesn’t happen again.”
Senior running back Blake Smith said this summer has been about becoming bigger, faster and stronger.
“After getting destroyed last season, it finally hit us that we needed to get in the weight room,” Smith said. “We’ve had the majority of the varsity team every day this summer lifting weights and getting bigger and stronger.”
While it is still early in the process, Beaman said there are a few similarities between this team and the two he has coached to state championships.
“So far, this seems to be a really close-knit group,” he said. “In the past, when things got tough, we always were able to pull each other through. We have a group that if they keep improving each and every day we’ll have a chance in the end.”
The Patriot senior class started their careers with a state championship and Smith said that is how he wants to end his career.
“I’ve been here through a lot of ups and downs,” he said. “I started off with a state championship and it would be nice for me to end it with one and continue the legacy of Parrott football.”
Beaman said he always wanted to be a football coach and was inspired by the coaches he played under at Parrott. As an alum and current athletic director, Beaman said he understands the rigors and challenges of a student-athlete at Parrott.
“I know their everyday schedule and how things work for them. I can relate to the kids here,” he said. “I think it helps me to get the message across and I understand the whole aspect of being a student-athlete.”
Beaman is down-to-earth, Smith said, and has a great understanding of eight-man football.
“He’s been a great help to me. He really gets us ready for the season and we are normally the most conditioned team and that helps a lot,” Smith said. “I think it helps that he is younger and played at Parrott. So he understands what it is like to play eight-man football.”
Mclawhorn said Beaman’s personality continues to help him and his teammates grown on and off the field.
“He’s a personable guy. We communicate well,” Mclawhorn said. “He’s a friend but at the same time he can be hard on you. He’s a good guy. He’s instilled a winning attitude and I want to continue that legacy.”
By Christopher Decker The Free Press
Posted Aug 17, 2019 at 12:02 AM
Before every home football game, Arendell Parrott Academy senior Trey Mclawhorn and his teammates head over to head coach Matt Beaman’s house to have dinner. It’s a relaxed atmosphere, Mclawhorn said, and a time to bond before heading out to battle under the lights.
“It helps us have more of a family bond. It’s always pretty fun. We play pool and watch football,” he said. “Coach is pretty relaxed but when we get on the field it’s game time.”
After spending his high school career at Parrott, Beaman took over as head coach in 2012 and has led the Patriots to a 52-24 record in those six years. The Patriots have won two NCISAA Class I eight-man state championships and made four straight state championship appearances from 2013 through 2017.
“I knew we had a chance,” Beaman said. “The coaches before me did a great job getting the program on the map. I felt like we had a chance and the guys have bought into the weight room and have bought into what we are trying to do here.”
Last year ended in disappointment for the Patriots, however, falling to Faith Christian 72-20 in the 2018 semi-finals of the NCISAA eight-man playoffs and preventing Parrott from advancing to their fifth straight championship appearance.
“It hurt for those seniors. It was a tough way to go out,” Beaman said. “We just ran up against a better team and got beat physically. We’ve tried to devote our time in the weight room so that it doesn’t happen again.”
Senior running back Blake Smith said this summer has been about becoming bigger, faster and stronger.
“After getting destroyed last season, it finally hit us that we needed to get in the weight room,” Smith said. “We’ve had the majority of the varsity team every day this summer lifting weights and getting bigger and stronger.”
While it is still early in the process, Beaman said there are a few similarities between this team and the two he has coached to state championships.
“So far, this seems to be a really close-knit group,” he said. “In the past, when things got tough, we always were able to pull each other through. We have a group that if they keep improving each and every day we’ll have a chance in the end.”
The Patriot senior class started their careers with a state championship and Smith said that is how he wants to end his career.
“I’ve been here through a lot of ups and downs,” he said. “I started off with a state championship and it would be nice for me to end it with one and continue the legacy of Parrott football.”
Beaman said he always wanted to be a football coach and was inspired by the coaches he played under at Parrott. As an alum and current athletic director, Beaman said he understands the rigors and challenges of a student-athlete at Parrott.
“I know their everyday schedule and how things work for them. I can relate to the kids here,” he said. “I think it helps me to get the message across and I understand the whole aspect of being a student-athlete.”
Beaman is down-to-earth, Smith said, and has a great understanding of eight-man football.
“He’s been a great help to me. He really gets us ready for the season and we are normally the most conditioned team and that helps a lot,” Smith said. “I think it helps that he is younger and played at Parrott. So he understands what it is like to play eight-man football.”
Mclawhorn said Beaman’s personality continues to help him and his teammates grown on and off the field.
“He’s a personable guy. We communicate well,” Mclawhorn said. “He’s a friend but at the same time he can be hard on you. He’s a good guy. He’s instilled a winning attitude and I want to continue that legacy.”
