Written By FOTC
November 19th, 2023
Recent events in relation to the Princeton vs. Parkersburg playoff game have sparked curiosity and discussions within the local football community. Fresh Off the Clock received information from an anonymous source highlighting some noteworthy occurrences, which, while intriguing, are currently subject to differing perspectives and interpretations.
Reports suggest that prior to the game, an individual, later identified as Adam Parsons, an assistant coach and recruiter for Capital University, was observed entering the Princeton High School football locker room. It's not uncommon for university recruiters to make brief visits, but what stood out in this instance was Parsons' familial connections to Parkersburg—a fact that drew attention to his presence in the opposing team's locker room. Parsons is known to be the uncle of Parkersburg’s quarterback and the brother of their defensive backs coach.
During the initial phase of the game, Parsons was reportedly positioned on the Princeton side, which led to intervention by Mercer County Superintendent Ed Tomen, who requested Parsons to relocate, purportedly to the Parkersburg sideline.
As the game unfolded, Parsons was photographed engaged in a phone call. While speculation arose about the identity of the person on the other end—potentially David Parsons, Adam's brother and Parkersburg’s Defensive Backs Coach—Adam Parsons stated that the call was with his unwell father, who couldn't attend the game.
It's essential to clarify that university recruiters often make pre-game visits, typically brief and routine, aiming to connect with potential talents. However, given the familial connections and subsequent sideline repositioning during the critical playoff match, this instance has raised inquiries and generated discussion among spectators.
The photographs capturing Parsons on the sidelines and the subsequent assumptions about his phone conversation have resulted in differing opinions and conjectures within the community. It's crucial to approach such situations with discretion and sensitivity to all involved parties.
Fresh Off the Clock emphasizes that it is in no way affiliated with either high school, both in the present and past. The focus remains on upholding fair play, ethical conduct, and respecting the integrity of the game.
It's pertinent to note that the details provided are based on preliminary information and individual perspectives, and further clarification may be required to comprehensively understand the sequence of events.
In addition to this perspective, the game itself witnessed an intense clash between Princeton and Parkersburg. The rain-soaked encounter culminated in a nail-biting 41-37 victory for Princeton, marking their first-ever advancement to the Class AAA state semifinals. Notable performances by Chance Barker, Marquel Lowe, and Dom Collins fueled Princeton's historic win amidst a game filled with thrilling moments and exceptional displays of skill and determination from both teams.