Parker, Larry

He leaped into the spotlight at Lauderdale County High late in his career, but the impact he made is memorable. He rushed for 1,329 yards and scored 23 TDs during his senior season in 1972 as he led the Tigers to a 10-0 regular season and the school's first playoff appearance. He went on to star at Northeast Mississippi Junior College, where he rushed for 2,232 yards and 16 TDs during two seasons. He was chosen to the Honorable Mention Junior College All-American team as a senior in 1977. The school now gives an annual award named the Larry Parker Sportsmanship Award. He later had two successful seasons at Delta State, earning All-Gulf South Conference honors as a senior. He rushed for 1,146 yards and 16 TDs at Delta. Larry Parker died in a car wreck October 7, 1984.