Q and A with the Head Coach of the Football Team, Anthony Parker

Q1: Coach Parker, why do you coach football at FCHS?

A1: I coach football because I love the game. Football enabled me to obtain a college education and taught me valuable lessons I draw on everyday. I enjoy being able to pass on my experiences and making a difference in the lives of young men.

Q2: Why should students consider playing football for FCHS?

A2: Students should think about joining our football program because it is a sport that teaches athletes the value of commitment, sacrifice and dependence upon each other. The Jaguar football team is like a family. We work and play hard together.

Q3: What if a student has never played football before? Is there a place for that student athlete in the program?

A3: We welcome the challenge of teaching football to players new to the game. Every year we have players come out for football for the first time. We have highly experienced and exceptionally knowledgeable coaches who are able to teach new players how to play the game. Any student who wants to learn to play a demanding sport and have fun at the same time should join our program at FCHS.

Q4: What will playing high school football teach a student-athlete?

A4: Football is a tough game. Playing the game teaches kids how to work together to achieve a goal. Players learn to develop physical strength and mental toughness. We strive to teach our student athletes to be young men of integrity and character both on and off the field. What we teach on the football field are tools that can be used for a lifetime.

Q5: If a parent or athlete wants to talk to you about any matter related to football, how should they contact you?

A5: Parents or student athletes can contact me anytime by phone, e-mail or in person. My e-mail is [email protected]. My phone number is (703) 207-4171. My office is in the boys’ locker room.

Q6: What are the goals for the varsity this season?

A6: We set many goals throughout the season, but our ultimate goal is always to win a National District championship. We understand that is possible only with hard work, dedication and commitment from our players, managers and coaches.

Q7: Coach, you have talked a lot about commitment. What is the commitment that every player must make to be a member of the FCHS football team?

A7: We believe that to become an excellent and respected football team we need a year round commitment to the program. First, in order to become a winning program, our athletes must be committed to their studies. Football eligibility is determined by academic success. Second, we know the difference between 1-9 and 9-1 is what players do in the off-season. We want players committed to our off-season lifting program in the weight room as well as our summer running and conditioning programs. Third, during the season, we expect players to attend every practice and every game and work hard everyday. Finally, we recognize that every individual member of our program represents all of us. For that reason, we demand our players be committed to being good citizens on and off the football field.

Q8: What are your expectations of the returning varsity players?

A8: I have very high expectations of our players this year. This was my first freshman class and now they are seniors and have been in our program for four years. I believe they have an understanding of what we want to accomplish and how we want to get it done.

Q9: Coach, is there anything else you want to say to the FCHS community?

A9: Yes. Our players, managers and coaches are committed to becoming the best we can be, but we need all the fans of FCHS football to come out to the games and support the team. Please mark our games on your calendar and come to the games, home and away, to support Jaguar football this season. Thank you.