Grieving Rock Falls coach sees the path forward

ROCK FALLS – The closing note for the Rock Falls football team was an embrace at midfield, as coach Kevin Parker wrapped his arms around one of his players, enveloping him in a hug.

It’s been a season of hugs and tears and grief.

Parker’s own son, Brock, died Sept. 24 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident Sept. 17. He was a lineman on this year’s team who wore No. 55. His name is still on the roster.

Kevin Parker returned to the sidelines Friday after having turned most of the coaching duties over to Alex Leaf and Bob Mitton in the interim.

“I know what my son wants is for me to get busy living, and that’s what I’m going to do,” Parker said after his team lost to Dixon 46-13.

Parker’s team finished 1-7, if anyone’s keeping track. The point on Friday was to go out swinging and encourage the seniors to finish strong.

That’s what senior quarterback Booker Cross and senior receiver Baraka Boards did. Even though the game was being played under running clock, they and their teammates didn’t quit. Cross heaved two touchdown passes – both to Boards – in the second half.

“It’s not your score, it’s your effort and your plays,” Parker said. “Seniors played hard, stepped up and played some of their best football of the year. We’re very proud of that.”

Parker took over at Rock Falls right before the 2019 season started, then saw COVID push the next season to the spring of 2021. His third year was interrupted by tragedy.

The events of this season derailed so much that Parker had hoped to accomplish, of course. But, the end of this season is actually the start of the next. Already, Parker is looking ahead.

“It’s a special time. It’s a tough time,” he said. “Kind of a rebirth and an opportunity.”

There are times like this when there is such overlap in the context of Parker’s conversation. Is he talking about life lessons or football or both?

The answer is yes.

“Football’s an amazing sport,” he says. “Sometimes these kids realize too late how amazing it is.”

He says next season is a chance to challenge the younger players: “The opportunities for them to get those things fixed are there. They’ve got to take advantage of it. They’ve got to be truthful to themselves and understand what their weaknesses are, and get after them.”

It’s been a season of conversations, about confronting mortality, about how precious moments can be.

“Kids getting a dose of reality,” Parker said. “Things you don’t want kids to have to see. But that’s your opportunity as a coach. Make it a learning experience for all the kids. How I’ve always operated. Put those things out there so kids can appreciate family, appreciate faith, and appreciate their neighbors, and make themselves a better person.

“Those things will change your life and make you re-evaluate how you’re doing things. If you play them right, they make you strong.”

Parker said the outpouring of support from all quarters is still something he “needs to slow down and wrap my head around.” There is gratitude and awe in his voice as he talks about students in schools all across the state wearing green and black in honor of Brock, or of schools in the Big Northern Conference raising thousands of dollars.

“It is still … overwhelming,” he said.

Above that, however, is how the people of Rock Falls have responded.

“The Rocket community has been unbelievable,” he said. “I didn’t expect these things to happen. They take care of their own, plain and simple.”

He said he went over to Newman, to thank them for raising money and for their prayers: “How uplifting that was for me,” he said.

And just as his younger players have an opportunity to start fresh, Parker says that he, too, recognizes this as an opportunity, and a chance to put it all in perspective.

“Take little chunks out of it and make something positive out of it,” he said. “That’s just the kind of way I operate. Keeping myself pushing in that direction. That gives you motivation, understanding what’s important in your life.”

Like a hug at midfield.