After a crazy season, Jon Parker can enjoy some of the more low-key offerings of this time of year. The Beaufort High midfielder, who graduated this week, has earned a spot in a prestigous select game. He recently signed to play college soccer. His final season with the Eagles in the rear-view, Parker is the Island Packet/Beaufort Gazette Boys Soccer Player of the Year for steadiness in helping lead Beaufort High to an improbable region championship and within a victory of the Lower State title game -- and for the recognition that followed.
The Eagles changed coaches late in the season and required a late surge to pull even with three other teams from Region 8-AAAA. A tie-breaker earned them the region's top seed. They eventually bowed out to Irmo, the country's top-ranked team.
"I feel like we could have done better, but you can only do your best," Parker said. "We accomplished everything any other Beaufort High team has."
After the season, Parker signed with USC Salkehatchie, joined by teammates Mac Bustard and Hayden Cormier, a defender who certainly earned consideration for this honor. In July, Parker will compete in the Clash of the Carolinas, an all-star event pitting some of the best players from South Carolina against their counterparts from the North.
