My first varsity game: Alex Parks

ALEX PARKS, PLAINFIELD CENTRAL

Year in school: Senior.

Position: Quarterback.

First varsity snap: "It was last year against Plainfield South and it was scary because I wasn't expecting it. Cyle (Schultz) got the wind knocked out of him and he was down for 20 seconds, so you have to take at least one play off. They called my name, and my hands were so cold from standing there on the sideline that I couldn't even snap on my chin strap. One of the coaches had to punch me in the helmet to get it snapped. And I thought they were going to be calling a little run play. They called a pass, one of their linebackers came on a back-side blitz, and I was so flustered. But our running back picked it up and I completed it, so I ended up 1-for-1 for 6 yards on the season."

Managing the offense: "Clock management is the biggest thing, especially when we are up. We have to just run down that clock, making sure when the back judge waves his hand, we have five seconds left to get it done."

-- Interviewed by Bill Scheibe