Senior Kolin Parker will be El Dorado’s starting quarterback in the Wildcats’ benefit football game Friday night. The announcement was made Tuesday by quarterbacks’ coach Matthew Nash.
“Kolin Parker is going to be getting the reps with the ones on Friday against North Little Rock,” Nash said.
“He’s a senior. He’s a good leader. He’s been in the program. He knows the in-and-outs and he just has that senior experience.”
Parker has been dueling with fellow senior Jon Brooks Elia for the quarterback position during the summer. Junior Jameson Dumas and sophomores Kerry Shelton and Cooper Henry have also competed at quarterback.
El Dorado’s game against Class 7A North Little Rock starts at 7 p.m. on Friday at Memorial Stadium. Nash was asked how many could get on the field in the benefit game.
“We hope all five of them. The only one that might not is Cooper because he’s going to be doing some kicking. But we hope to play all five of them if we can. Cooper is getting double duty at kicker and quarterback so that’s why he’s not as high on the list. He’s going to be a pretty good kicker.”
Parker completed 2-of-3 passes for 18 yards as a sophomore. Elia, who also plays golf, hasn’t played football since the ninth grade.
When asked about the quarterback position going forward, Nash said, “I’m going to do a Bill Belichick. We’ll evaluate every week and see who the best man is.”
The defending 6A state champion Wildcats have to replace Sharmon Rester, who set school records for single season passing yards (3,428), single season TD passes (40) and single game passing yards (433 vs. Cabot). Parker and Dumas are the only quarterbacks on the roster who have thrown a Friday night pass. Dumas completed 4-of-5 passes for 27 yards and a touchdown last season.
“Nobody’s saying much about our junior. Jameson Dumas has been working his tail off,” said Nash. “He’s been in the system for a little while, too. He’s a good, solid guy, too. But, JB and Kolin, they’re seniors and they’re battling and having a good time. Right now, Kolin is the guy we’re going with.”