GREENACRES – We have a true diamond in the rough from the Muck.
Enter Jeremiah Parks, a ‘25 ATH from Palm Beach Christian Prep who played a total of five meaningful games this past season. To hear it from the Belle Glade native himself and others, it was the first time he had ever played organized football.
The 6-foot-3, 185-pound standout registered the following statistics for the Saints in 2023:
AT QUARTERBACK
•12-for-26 passing
•1 touchdown
•1 interception
•129 yards
•6 rushes
•36 yards
•58 percent pass completion rate
AT WIDE RECEIVER
•2 catches
•15 yards
•1 first down
AT DEFENSIVE BACK
•24 tackles (18 solo)
•6 pass breakups
•2 interceptions
One will need to look past the raw numbers to find out how athletic and resilient Parks actually is. In addition to playing organized football for the first time in his life, he overcame a car accident situation that occurred on Thursday, September 28, 2023.
Parks spoke on his triumph over potential tragedy.
“I believe adversity is just an opportunity to persevere,” said Parks, who missed three games after the Sept. 28 accident occurred. “The accident left me with bone bruise and slightly torn MCL, as well as a bruised neck. It angered me. But if I was going to return, I had to listen to the doctors and rehab therapists. They were instrumental in my return. Also, the support and diligence of my coaches helped a lot. Once I returned to the field, it was like riding a bike.”
The triumphant return of Parks came in the first round of the SSAC (Sunshine State Athletic Conference) 4A State Championship playoffs on Friday, Oct. 27, 2023. In what turned out to be a 14-12 loss to St. Edward’s (Vero Beach) – this ended Palm Beach Christian Prep’s season with a 3-5 record – Parks recorded the following statistics:
•11 total tackles
•1 tackle for loss
•1 interception
•3 pass breakups
“I mean it was my first game back and it could have been my last, so I was ready for this,” Parks said. “I mentally and physically prepared all week leading up to that game, watching film on the team and just putting the extra work in after practices. Going into that game, I wanted to set the tone on defense, so I put my all into that game by proving and showing what I’m about. It was a very close game. We were down by two points with a couple minutes left, and I caught a momentum-changing interception. Unfortunately the offense did not perform after the stop, and we ended up losing, 14-12.”
Just when one would think the Saints athlete would be finished with high school football, Parks received a blessing in disguise.
What is that blessing?
Parks will get to reclassify by playing one more season at Palm Beach Christian Prep this upcoming fall season.
“i just feel like it’s another opportunity that has been given to me,” Parks said. “This will help me get to the next level, due to last season being my first ever time playing football. I come from humble beginnings, so I want to do best for my family. And I feel like reclassifying is gonna help with that.”
Largely as a result of this move, Parks received his first offer from Framingham State on Feb. 10.
“It honestly wasn’t shocking,” said Parks, who is also garnering looks from the likes of USF, West Virginia, and Western Michigan. “I put in hours and hours of work, and it was well deserved. Initially I was a bit surprised because it caught me off guard. But there will be more coming soon. This is just the first of many to come. All glory to God.”
Palm Beach Christian Prep fellow ‘25 ATH and Belle Glade native Michael Liriano weighed in on level of the impact that Parks has on this program.
“Since Day 1, me and Parks had a connection for some odd reason, and on the field we would take command on every play we had,” Liriano said. “Parks brings out energy that you could feel from the sideline when he plays. And being his teammate, it rubbed off by making me play harder. As a friend off the field with him, he’s a great guy and very productive in all he does, whether it’s sports or school.”
Palm Beach Christian Prep head coach Eddie Poole chimed in on Parks.
“He is leader defensively and overall team leader,” Poole said. “To me, Parks is the best cornerback in the county. This was his first year playing ball, but he will garner mid-major FBS offers. He’s a physically talented and fluid ball hawk. He has very strong leadership traits and all of our guys follow him. Off the field he’s a respectful young man of great faith. He walks with God and uses His words to guide him.”
Overall, Parks is relatively excited about what is happening now and what is ahead of him over the next several months.
“My plans for this offseason are to work harder than I have ever worked before,” Parks said. “I just want to be great. At the same time, I will be working with my underclassmen and helping them get ready for the next season because I have big expectations for next season. I want to win it all. Stay tuned.”
STORY BY: Naji Tobias – Muck City Media Enterprises Editor-in-Chief
PHOTO CREDITS: PDI Productions (Instagram)/Fritz Narcisse (Twitter; @Popi1k)
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