When Columbus East traveled to Seymour Friday night, Malachi Parks started at cornerback and slot receiver and did the punting and kicking off for the Olympians.
By early in the second half, Parks had taken over running the East offense. On his third play, the junior scampered 39 yards for what would prove to be the winning touchdown in a 14-7 victory that clinched at least a share of the Hoosier Hills Conference title.
"It was a little nerve-racking for me, but I was just going to try to stay calm, knowing just to do my thing, trusting my teammates, trusting the linemen to do what we do," Parks said. "We run the ball and just play East football."
Parks, who has been the Olympians backup quarterback the past two years, was thrust into action when starter Cole Gilley was injured on the fifth play of the second half. Parks, who had caught a 6-yard touchdown pass from Gilley in the first half, moved under center.
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"He’s very unselfish," East coach Bob Gaddis said. "He’ll do whatever we ask him to do. He’s talented enough to do about anything on the football field, and he brings a tremendous amount of enthusiasm to practice, to games. He just loves playing football."
The 5-foot-10, 165-pound Parks in the Olympians’ third-leading receiver with 11 catches for 168 yards and two touchdowns. He has carried 19 times for 143 yards, with 99 of those yards coming on 12 carries after moving to quarterback on Friday.
One thing Parks has yet to do this season is throw a pass. His quarterback duties before Friday were limited to mop-up action in blowouts, and in Friday’s rain and wind, East was content to run the ball.
"Being behind Cole this past year has definitely helped me as a passer, just learning from him," Parks said. "But I’m definitely more of a runner than I am a thrower."
Gaddis has noticed that Parks has learned from Gilley.
"We hated that Cole is out, but (Parks) follows Cole around a lot," Gaddis said. "He’s learned a lot from him. He’s chosen the right people to follow, and he’s a great player and a natural leader for us. When we made the switch earlier in the year, when we were moving some guys around at receiver and corner, one of the reasons we wanted to move him to full-time defense was because of his leadership ability. So when he stepped in at quarterback the other night, all of our guys followed him."
Although his time at quarterback has been limited this fall, Parks did get some experience this summer while Gilley was helping lead the East baseball team on a run that culminated in a state runner-up finish.
"When we went to camp in June, (Parks) took every snap at quarterback, so he’s had a lot of training there," Gaddis said. "We just don’t have time to get our backup quarterback that many snaps during the week, but he gets some. We have a lot of confidence in him."
On defense, Parks has an interception and 19 tackles. He said playing both offense and defense has given him a different perspective of the game.
"Playing defense now, I’ve learned how to read defenses better," Parks said. "It’s just given me a better perspective on how to read the game. My sophomore year, I really didn’t understand it that much, but definitely this year, I’m picking up on who to read and what to do. Having a great offensive line definitely helps."
Gaddis and the Olympians are hoping Gilley can return when they host perennial power Center Grove in the sectional semifinals on Nov. 1. But Parks will make his first start at quarterback on Friday for the regular-season finale against Madison.
"It’s something I’m looking forward to," Parks said. "Coming into this season, I’m finally getting my shot. I’m just going to go out there and hopefully win the game for us."
