Valley quarterback Parker Carson returns for his senior year after facing a broken hand during the 2018 season.
Carson’s absence shared in a rough season for the Patriots, who missed the playoffs for the first time since 1999.
Carson played in only five games as a junior before the injury racking up 1,050 yards and 13 touchdowns through the air. On the ground, Carson added 661 yards rushing with another 13 TDs.
As a sophomore, the gunslinger was deadly accurate throwing 43 touchdowns to only one interception leading the Patriots to a 12-2 season.
Carson took time out of his schedule to speak with Press Pass Sports about overcoming his injury, and his upcoming season among other topics.
Valley quarterback Parker Carson returns for his senior season. In two years as the starting quarterback for the Patriots, Carson has thrown a combined 56 touchdown passes. [Tina Carson/Press Pass Sports]
What are your thoughts going into your senior year?
“After coming off of a rough year last year and snapping our 19 year playoff streak, I’m honestly just looking forward to getting to play.”
Valley had a few coaching changes this past spring, what have you seen out of the new direction of the program?
“I really enjoy the coaches. They’re both young guys who have a great work ethic. I feel like we’re putting in a lot of work. It’s been a grind but we’ve had more excitement and fun in practices.”
Last year you broke your hand against Motley County and continued to play, what’s the story behind that?
“I broke it the first play of the game on a designed quarterback run. I lowered my shoulder and a face mask pinned my hand into the ball and shattered it. I got moved to running back in the second half and finished the game out with 215 rushing yards and three screws in my hand.”
You’ve got to be a tough guy to play a full game with a broken hand, where does that toughness come from?
“I take pride in my toughness. Valley’s always had rough and tough guys but most of it came from my dad. He’s always told me that if I go down, I better stay down. His words just made me tough. I guess I grew up thinking it was cool to be tough.”
What’s your relationship like with former Hereford and Texas Tech quarterback Cody Hodges?
“Cody’s a brother to me. He’s a father figure, and when I need him to be, a great friend. It started with football but we’re so close now that it’s gone passed the game of football. I’d do anything for him and his family and I know they’d do the same.”
What’s the best advice Cody gave you?
“Cody gave me a bit of advice saying how we’re all ‘blessed to breathe.’ Basically saying that even though we’re athletes and were blessed with abilities, we’re blessed to be alive and breathing.”