Senior receiver Parker Hughes (7) and the Elizabethton Cyclones beat the Grainger Grizzlies 63-16 in a TSSAA Region 1-4A matchup in Rutledge, Tennessee, on Friday, Sept. 18, 2020. (Photo by Danny Parker)
By MIKE BLACKERBY
Beyond the eye-popping statistics, the awards and the accolades, Elizabethton football coach Shawn Witten said Parker Hughes set the standard for all others who follow in Carter County.
“There are guys that come through your football program that are difference makers that forever change your program, and Parker has done that,” said Witten.
“As the stakes got higher he performed at the highest level. In our state championship run this season he carried us on his shoulders.”
Hughes, the 5Star Preps Offensive Player of the Year for 2020, led the Cyclones to their second consecutive state Class 4A championship.
The Tennessee Titans 4A Mr. Football winner had 2,269 all-purpose yards as Elizabethton finished 15-0 and stretched its winning streak to 30 games.
He was a do-it-all performer for the mighty Cyclones, who scored 654 points and averaged 46.7 points a game.
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Primarily a receiver, the chiseled 6-foot-2, 205-pound Hughes had 62 catches for 1,326 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Hughes was also pressed into spot duty at running back late in the season.
He responded by rushing for 539 yards and seven TDs. He averaged 12 yards a carry.
With 4.6 speed and best lifts of 315 pounds in the bench press and 465 pounds in the squat, Hughes had the jets to run by defenders and the power to run through them.
On defense, Hughes picked off six passes from his safety slot.
“Wide receiver is the one of those positions that comes naturally to me, but I played wherever I could help my team out the most,” said Hughes.
A contributor since his freshman season, Hughes was a solid contributor his first two years for the Cyclones.
After his sophomore year, he wanted to take the next step.
“Parker started every game as a freshman and sophomore,” recounted Witten.
“He saw how tough it was going against some really good teams. After his sophomore year we talked about what he wanted his legacy to be the next two years.”
Witten said Hughes took the challenge to heart.
“He had been blessed with a great body and physique. We told him he had the opportunity to be one of the very best. He took it to another level and really separated himself.”
Hughes said chief rival Greeneville gave him and the Cyclones the blueprint and motivation to get better.
The Greene Devils won consecutive state championships in 2017-18.
“Everybody was trying to get to their standard,” said Hughes.
“They could really do anything they wanted. They were so much bigger, stronger and faster than anyone else. They definitely laid the (blueprint).”
Hughes said he immediately got in the weight room following his sophomore season.
“From sophomore to junior was like my biggest transformation,” explained Hughes.
“I really spent a lot of time in the weight room. I probably gained about 15 pounds and got way faster. I did a lot of speed and agility work.”
With Hughes leading the way, the Cyclones never wavered the last two seasons.
“He really raised the standard for a lot of our guys,” said Witten.
“We’re forever grateful for the past two years. The kids went to work every day and took care of business. They’ve given every young boy (in Elizabethton) an opportunity to dream and dream big that every goal can be accomplished.”