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Star Correspondent

In Happy Valley’s final regular season game, junior quarterback Gabe McDougald was sidelined due to illness, leaving sophomore running back Lane Parker to lead the Warriors in a crucial game against West Greene. Parker rose to the occasion, guiding Happy Valley to a 38-0 victory, scoring three touchdowns, and running the offense like a well-tuned machine.

“Gabe was sick, and coach told me I was going to start,” Parker said. “I was nervous at first, but after I scored the first touchdown, I was OK. I am the backup usually, so I have some experience running the offense.”

Parker capped an eight-play, 50-yard drive with a four-yard plunge for an 8-0 lead. On the next possession, he scored on a 14-yard run, extending the lead to 16-0. He added another score in the closing minutes.

“Lane helped us overcome the adversity of Gabe not being able to play,” Warriors head coach Jason Jarrett said. “He really stepped up for us with little preparation. Scoring that first touchdown got us rolling and gave him some confidence.”

The win allowed Happy Valley to finish the regular season 7-1, a goal the team set for itself.

“Coach talked about us finishing 7-1 like the 2016 team,” Parker said. “That’s what we wanted to accomplish, and we did.”

In the TSSAA 2A playoffs, Happy Valley fell short, losing 14-13 to Polk County, but Parker played a pivotal role. In the first quarter, he took an end-around handoff from McDougald and threw a 43-yard pass to Jamie Esterline to set up the Warriors’ first score.

Parker also recovered a fumble that led to Happy Valley’s final touchdown. He rushed for 34 yards, including a crucial 12-yard run for a first down on the last drive. However, a holding penalty negated a long run by McDougald, and the Warriors ultimately punted and did not regain possession.

Parker, a sophomore, has ambitions to become a physical therapist.

“When I graduate from here, I hope to go into physical therapy,” Parker said. “That’s what I am aiming for, but I just want to enjoy my time here for now.”