By Kalvin D. Perron
Staff Reporter
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BRIMLEY - Brimley Bays senior defensive tackle Derek "Big D" Parish was recently named the Eastern Upper Peninsula Conference's Defensive Player of the Year by coaches of the league. The six-foot, 300-pound defensive lineman recorded 77 tackles in eight games this year. He sat out the second game of the season against Engadine after suffering an injury in the opening seconds of the game.
Parish was called up to the varsity squad as a freshman and went on to become a four-year starter for the Bays. From the moment he first laced up his cleats and stepped onto the football field in a Bays' uniform, "Big D" made his presence felt - literally. As an ultimate sign of respect, opposing coaches immediately began running plays away from him and constantly tried to tie him up on the line of scrimmage with double teams. Brimley Head Coach Brian Reattoir said because of this, Parish was deserving of every single tackle he recorded.
"People ran away from him, not at him," he said. "He really had to work hard to get all those tackles. He definitely held down our defensive line these past three years. He will be sadly missed and will leave a big hole to fill. "
Parish said he couldn't recall the last time, or even if, he ever missed a football practice. A model teammate, Parish said he was constantly trying to elevate the play of his game to help his team. He attended football camps in the summers at the University of Michigan, Central Michigan University and Grand Valley State University. While his goal was to get better, Parish said his ultimate goal has always been the same - to help his team win the EUPC Conference. With winning his ultimate goal, and after finishing the season with a disappointing 3-6 record, Parish said it is hard for him to get excited over the personal accolades.
"I'm really surprised I got it because the team didn't do too well," Parish said of his selection as the EUPC Defensive Player of the Year. "I don't know if I deserve it. Some say I didn't, but I don't care about that. I played to win games, not awards. I wanted to win the conference - real bad. I wanted to beat Cedarville and I wanted to beat Pickford."
While Parish said he hasn't received scholarship offers yet from any colleges, he said he has been invited to tour several campuses and to attend their football games. Although he has his hopes set on playing football at Grand Valley State University, Parish said he would consider any offer that came his way. While he dreams of stepping onto the football field in a GVSU uniform, Parish said he just wants another chance to do what he loves most - playing football.
"I just want to play football," he said. "I love the game. Ever since I can remember I loved playing football. I just hope I get a chance to play again. Somewhere. Anywhere."
