By Bret Strelow
bstrelow@salisburypost.com
Statewide success is the gift that keeps on giving West Rowan reason to celebrate on Christmas Day.
West’s Scott Young was recognized as The Associated Press Coach of the Year on Dec. 25 of 2008, and running back K.P. Parks was named AP Player of the Year for North Carolina on Friday.Each individual honor followed a 3A title run by the Falcons.
“That’s what we wanted to do, get West Rowan on the map,” Parks said. “My freshman and sophomore year, we were always going two playoff games and losing. My junior year we got over the bump and just kept on from there.”
The AP began handing out state awards in 1983, and Young was the first coach of the year from Rowan County. Parks is the first player of the year from the county, although Nick Maddox from nearby A.L. Brown won the award in 1997 and 1998.
Parks tied for second place in media voting last year behind Fayetteville Britt offensive lineman Xavier Nixon, who has started four games as a Florida freshman.
As a junior, Parks rushed for 2,864 yards ó 930 fewer than what he totaled in 2009 while playing the same number of games. He had 21 more carries as a senior.
“It’s a great honor,” Parks said. “Just another award, and I’m very appreciative of it.
“It’s another team award because everything plays into it as far as the defense getting the ball back for the offense, offensive line blocking, receivers blocking downfield, B.J. (Sherrill) making the throws when he needs to in order to loosen up the defense. When I get the ball, it’s my time to run.”