Preseason Coach Feaster Interview: Head coach of Parkway football team answers questions about scrimmages and the upcoming season.
Josh Lozano: Coach, How do you feel about the scrimmage Friday
night against West Monroe?
Coach Feaster: When you put it in historical perspective, it’s amazing Parkway
was able to keep up with West Monroe. They have been such a dominate
powerhouse for years, with several junior highs that have kids lifting since the
sixth grade. They have about twenty five to thirty coaches in the high school level
that work with those kids and an amazing facility. So, when you look at it from
that perspective, we did really well just to be on the same field as them. When you
put it in the perspective of we went to the dome last year, we need to beat people
like that if we want to go back.
Josh Lozano: You had such an amazing season last year, that we were
wondering what are your expectations for this upcoming season?
Coach Feaster: I don’t think it’s fair to the kids to come in with expectations
like “Oh Geez, you guys only made it to the quarterfinals this year. That’ll be a
letdown, because the kids last year went to the dome.” Our guys just want to play
football and they’re going to be a great representation of Bossier [Parish] and
Parkway high school. I know we have an extremely tough schedule. Calvary is a
lot better, so is Marshall, Arkansas High, and all those other schools.
Josh Lozano: You lost 35 seniors and that’s a lot of veteran leadership,
how do you plan handle that loss?
Couch Feaster: Because we were so good last year, we would beat people so early
on that our younger guys would be able to come in. So, a lot of our underclassmen
got to play more than they normally would have and that really helped. We
face off with Cavalry in a couple of weeks and we’re nervous about them, but
all everyone on our team has experience against them. As good as they are, we
jumped on them early with 40 in the half, allowing all our younger guys to get
playing time. Most importantly, we’ve had an amazing off season. The kids are
really working hard to get back to the dome and once you experience it, you just
want it every year. Our athleticism really improved and we are certainly going to
miss all those seniors, but I think we can still put up a great fight.
Josh Lozano: Brandon Harris was such a focal point of the team. Do
you have any specific plans to fill the void, or do you think your team
all around can will pick up the slack?
Coach Feaster: When you have a player like that, whether you lose in graduation
or injury, you do two things. One, you say okay, next man in and not necessarily
be “a” Brandon Harris. Just play the best you can possibly be. The other thing
you look for is everyone needs to elevate their game. Defense needs to better,
receivers need to be better, offense line may need to block longer just to
compensate. I mean, same thing when you lose a running back or free safety.
First off, you look for someone to step up and fill those shoes and everybody else
around him now needs to be better.
Josh Lozano: What are your thoughts about Parkway’s schedule?
Coach Feaster: It’s the same teams, but it seems everyone has improved. Airline
beat Ouachita badly in a scrimmage the other night so it looks like they’re going
to be good too. We think Haughton is going to be 8-0 when they come to our
place. Just roll through everybody. Byrd is going to be great again and those first
four teams look like they really improved. Arkansas high is going to be at home
and that’s just going to be a great game! After we have been on the road for the
playoffs and the start of this year, finally being at home is just going to be great!
Josh Lozano: Do you have any key player that you look at and maybe
a sleeper type player that doesn’t get the recognition he deserves?
Coach Feaster: Robert McKnight [WR/RB] was the best athlete against West
Monroe and he had a great night at the super dome last year. McKnight is doing a
great job of standing out as the senior this year. To answer the second question I
say Lloyd Cole [S], really hardworking and an outstanding student. He has become
the fastest kid on our team! He is playing free safety right now and made a
bunch of tackles the other night. I think he will be a key contributor to this team’s
success.
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