Parker sparks Roosevelt with 4 TDs
Roosevelt's Erin Parker makes his way down field. (Sept. 25, 2011) Credit: Steve Pfost
Erin Parker is no monster. At 5-7, 165 pounds, he isn't nearly imposing enough to intimidate teams the way his predecessor did in Roosevelt's power-I formation.
The Rough Riders have a young team now and among the seniors lost was Donte "The Monster" Colter, who earned that moniker with his size and punishing running style.
Parker doesn't have an official nickname yet, but he could soon become known as the Boogeyman. For one, he's got the skills to scare defenses. And, well, he can boogie, man.
The senior danced and scampered his way to a career-high 326 yards and four touchdowns (on 16 carries) in leading Roosevelt to a 61-38 win over Nassau IV rival Valley Stream North Sunday at Hofstra.
The fleet-footed tailback used jukes, stutter steps and spins to break off runs of 67, 55, 53, 39 and 36 yards that made defenders look like they had two left feet.
"You don't see people making cuts like that and breaking long runs so consistently," right tackle Neftali Henderson said. "He's amazing to watch."
Even more so since Parker promised to "buy my linemen dinner whenever I get 200 yards."
He had that midway through the third quarter. Parker came off right guard, cut right to shake a defender, then rolled untouched for a 67-yard score that gave the Rough Riders (3-0) a 36-14 lead at 7:08.
"If I have to, I will, but I'm not really a hitter," Parker said, comparing his slash-and-cruise style to Colter's smash-and-bruise. "I'm a speed guy . . . The line did great and every time I saw a hole, I tried to score."
Colter, in attendance, described his former sidekick as "electrifying." The same could be said for a few others as the defense and special teams -- despite some lapses -- had their share of explosive plays.
Robert Sweeney and linebacker Khalil Wilson returned interceptions for touchdowns. Sweeney's, a 55-yarder, came just seconds after the QB/DB threw one to VSN's Bill Patsos. Sweeney read the play and jumped a hitch route toward the right sideline for the pick-6. The Rough Riders took their largest lead -- 55-26 -- on Teddy Santana's 85-yard kickoff return touchdown with 11:21 remaining.
Sweeney had a 1-yard TD run and Manny Jones, who ran for 59 yards, led the Roosevelt defense with 11 tackles. Evan Henry had 182 yards and four touchdowns for the Spartans (2-1).
Roosevelt coach Joe Vito, thinking long-term, harped on his defense "needing to get better as the season continues."
But even while stifling some enthusiasm, the coach had to admit -- 61 points: "Awesome." The win: "Can't complain about 3-0." And the Boogeyman: "Special."
