Future Razorback Parker's status iffy for big ESPN game

FAYETTEVILLE — BY DUDLEY E. DAWSON

Tulsa Booker T. Washington’s football team will have a chance to end Bixby’s 32-game winning streak Thursday night on national television, but may be without a future Razorback.

Arkansas defensive back pledge Keuan Parker (5-11, 173, 4.4), a three-star ESPN prospect is questionable for the game, which will be on broadcast on ESPN at 7 p.m.

“As of right now, it doesn’t look like it, but it will be kind of a game-time decision,” Booker T. Washington head coach Jonathan Brown said. “It is an injury deal that has been going on these past four of five weeks.

“So we will just have to monitor it and make a good decision on it.”

Parker, who chose Arkansas over Michigan State, Oregon, Baylor, Nebraska, Iowa State, Kansas and others, has 25 tackles, a forced fumble and a tackle for lost yardage, an interception and two passes broken up this season.

“I think this has been one of the better years that he has had,” Brown said. “I think he has been a lockdown corner and a senior leader. They haven’t thrown his way much this year, but he has made plays when they have and has also been very physical and a vocal leader for us.”

Parker is one of six Oklahoma prep stars to have committed to Arkansas in the 2021 class with five of those listed in the top 11 of the Tulsa World’s best players in the state.

Brown has been very impressed with the job that first-year Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman has done after taking over for the fired Chad Morris.

“It shows how much coaching matters,” Brown said. “They pretty much have the same players as last year when they didn’t do very well, but this year you can really see the change. I have seen a couple of games. I watched the Arkansas-Auburn and another one.

“They have improved to the point where they are a tough out for anybody on their schedule so he has done a heck of a job already and they are only going to keep getting better.”

Bixby (7-0, 4-0) is ranked No. 1 in Class 6A-II in Oklahoma per the Tulsa World with its lone challenge coming in a 42-35 win over Jenks on Sept. 4.

Booker T. Washington (6-2, 4-1) is ranked fifth and has won its last four games by the combined score of 136-14.

“They are a heck of a team,” Brown said of the Spartans. “Coach (Loren) Montgomery has done a hell of a job with Bixby and turning it around. It’s pretty remarkable.

Booker T. Washington lost 31-0 to eventual state champion Bixby last season.

“It’s going to be a tough game, but our guys are excited about the challenge and looking to play our best football.”

“I think obviously not turning the ball over offensively and trying to create more turnovers on defense will be keys to the game,” Brown said. “I think if we can run the ball well and obviously take advantage of some of the things we do in our passing game we will be okay.

“Defensively, we can’t get give up the big play and have to make them move the ball down the field.”