‘Next man up’ Parkerson makes most of his opportunity
Neshoba Central's Bruce Parkerson was expecting to play in an all-star football game this month, but that plan was unexpectedly moved up a week.
Earlier this year, Parkerson was named to play in the Mississippi North-South which will be played Saturday in Gulfport.
Then last Monday, Parkerson got a call from Rockets Coach Patrick Schoolar. Schoolar was in Hattiesburg, on the coaching staff of the Mississippi all-stars as they prepared for their game with Alabama. There had been an injury and there was an opening on the roster.
Parkerson was the next man up.
"Coach Schoolar said pack your suit case and come on down," Parkerson said. "I was excited about the opportunity. I got to work with some great coaches and great players."
Parkerson, 6-4, 325 pounds, certainly had the credentials for the Mississippi-Alabama all-star game. He was a starter on the offensive lines at Neshoba Central that led the Rockets to two 10-win seasons. This past season, the Rockets made it to the North State finals. At the conclusion of his senior season, Parkerson was named to the Mississippi Association of Coaches' Class 5A all-state team. He is being recruited by several junior colleges and one four-year school.
"There is no doubt he belonged on the team," Mississippi Coach Brad Breland of Union said. "he had a great week of practice and played well in the game."
During the all-star game, in which Mississippi's offensive line went against Alabama's best defenders who will be signing to play football at Alabama, Auburn or Clemson, Parkerson showed he could hang with the best. During the game, he played guard, tackle and center.
"I had never played center before," Parkerson said. "But we only had one center on the team and he needed a break so I went in. They gave me a chance and I made the best of it."
And the good thing was that Mississippi won. Down 10-0 going into the fourth quarter, Parkerson and his teammates rallied to tie the game at 10-10 and send it into overtime. Mississippi then scored on its possession and kicked the extra point. Alabama came back and scored. Then the extra point was blocked and Mississippi had a 17-16 victory.
"We pulled it off," Parkerson said. "I was so excited."
"I enjoyed my time," Parkerson said. "Since my freshman year, coach has said to trust the process. We took our losses the first two years. I think my biggest moment was making it to the playoffs last year and playing Olive Branch. We didn't win but we have finally made it to the playoffs and that was big.
"We started off slow this season. We knew it was going to be tough but we knew it would pay off, playing those (Class 5A) teams," Parkerson said. "Grenada beat us in the first game. We came back and beat them in the playoffs and then made it to North State. West Point was a great team. We just couldn't make any mistakes against them."
Parkerson said he got to know some of the players from West Point during all-star week. "They were a great bunch of guys," Parkerson said.
Parkerson is undecided on what he wants to major in but has looked at sports medicine or maybe even coaching. He has a 3.9 grade point average and has a 23 on the ACT. He hopes to continue his football career on the next level.
He loves to fish and play golf. He lists as his favorites:
- Dinner: Steak and potato;
- Movie: ‘Run The Race';
- Video game: Madden Football; and,
- Class: Biology.
Parkerson attends Linwood Baptist Church. He is the son of Arral and Sunny Parkerson.