Tucker The Tiger: Parks, Talented Class of 2024 Makes Klein Collins a Regional Favorite in 2022
THIS IS TRADITIONAL COACHSPEAK, BUT KLEIN COLLINS QB TUCKER PARKS’ BEST FOOTBALL IS IN FRONT OF HIM.
What does that even mean you may ask? It means that his sophomore season was just a preview of what is to come at Klein Collins. With the work that he and the special Class of 2024 are putting in, the future is bright for Tigers Coach Adrian Mitchell.
“We have a bunch of talented rising juniors led by Tucker, who is a natural leader with dynamic athleticism,” Mitchell said.
And to think, the 6-foot-2 quarterback entered his sophomore season with some uncertainty. “I came into last season not sure if I was going to be the starter,” Parks, who was named the District Offensive Newcomer of the Year by season’s end, said. “When I earned the starting job, it gave me so much confidence. I think I earned a lot of respect from the players and now coming into this year…I’m ready.”
Parks and the Tigers had some growing pains early in 2021, going 0-4 with losses to Atascocita, North Shore, Tompkins and Willis, before winning six straight games to go undefeated in District 15-6A. The Tigers fell in a heartbreaking 34-33 first-round playoff game to Bridgeland to end their season.
“After the loss to Willis, that was the turning point,” he said. “I could feel it coming together. We were unstoppable after that.”
The team’s confidence from last season spilled over into the offseason and the summer.
Parks and his Tigers impressed at the State 7-on-7 Tournament, knocking off El Paso Franklin, Buda Johnson, Harker Heights, Dickinson and San Angelo in the Division I bracket. Klein Collins fell to eventual State Champion DeSoto, 32-27, in the semifinals.
The traditional run-oriented Klein Collins showed another side to their offense which could be scary for their district-mates and the rest of Region II.
“The expectations are high coming into this season and Tucker is a big reason why,” Mitchell said. “That group got some great experience and have continued to work through the offseason. They are hungry.”
