Joe Parsons: The Official Richmond County Male Student-Athlete of the Week

ROCKINGHAM — Recently called “the heart of the defense” by Richmond Senior High School defensive coordinator Chris Campolieta, a senior Raider is this week’s feature player in the Richmond Observer’s series.

Joe Parsons, a senior middle linebacker for the Raiders, has been named the Official Richmond County Male Student-Athlete of the Week presented by Rockingham NC Self Storage.

Serving as a leader on the gridiron and off it, Parsons was all over the field in Richmond’s homecoming victory over Union Pines High School Friday. Helping secure the ball on defense, he also made a key stop on special teams.

Notching his second career selection, Parsons, a four-year varsity starter for Richmond, returns to the spotlight for the first time since his sophomore season.

Athletic Profile: Joe Parsons

Year: Senior

Fall sport: Football

Position: Middle Linebacker

Varsity Experience: 4 Seasons

“CLASSROOM CREDITS” WITH JOE PARSONS

When he’s not tackling opposing players on Friday nights, Parsons is busy tackling his school work as the first quarter of his senior year nears its end.

Ranked in the top 10 of his graduating class, Parsons is a dual enrollment student who takes classes at Richmond and Richmond Community College. He’s a straight-A student who has a 4.63 weighted grade point average.

This fall, Parsons is taking Biology 112 and Math 271 at RichmondCC during his morning blocks. He’s also enrolled in Economics and Personal Finance Honors, English IV Honors and Weight Training Honors at the high school.

“I really enjoy math, so my favorite class this semester is Calculus,” Parsons said of his RichmondCC course. “And I really like my teacher.

“Weight training is also a lot of fun because I get to hang out with my teammates,” he added. “We get to work out and get stronger together.”

“DIALING UP THE PRESSURE” WITH JOE PARSONS

The Raiders took care of business 27-8 over Union Pines in their homecoming game, the team’s fifth straight win. It also kept Richmond undefeated in Sandhills Athletic Conference play and moved the green and gold into first place.

From his interior linebacker position, Parsons finished the game with 10 total tackles, the third most he’s had in a single game this fall. He had three solo tackles, seven assists and also recorded one tackle-for-loss.

Around the ball night, Parsons made the first of his two splash plays shortly after the Vikings took a small lead with 41 seconds left in the first quarter. On the extra-point attempt, Parsons bullied his way into the backfield and blocked the kick.

At the time, Parsons’ effort kept Richmond within a point, 8-7, which proved pivotal.

Richmond entered halftime up 14-8 and early in the third quarter Parsons’ awareness helped the Raiders put the game away for good.

Two plays after the Raiders fumbled the ball in the red zone, Union Pines quarterback Anthony Goswick fumbled a snap. Making the adjustment to the bouncing football, Parsons pounced on it to give Richmond possession at the Vikings’ 11-yard line.

That fumble recovery, which was Parsons’ first of the season, was the first of two takeaways by the Raiders’ defense in the third quarter that led to a touchdown.

In eight games this season, Parsons is third on the team with 68 total tackles (23 solo, 45 assists). He’s recorded 6.0 tackles-for-loss (tied third on the team) and has 2.0 quarterback sacks (second on the team), three hurries, and one caused and one one recovered fumble.

Richmond (6-2, 4-0 SAC) will try to clinch at least a share of the SAC title Friday on the road at Lee County High School (4-3, 1-2 SAC). Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.

“RAPID RESPONSE” VIDEO WITH JOE PARSONS

The Richmond Observer will publish two more Official Richmond County Student-Athletes of the Week next week.