Union’s Tay Parry
When the Redhawks take the field to start the Antonio Graham era, the team may have a new look, but the expectations and the drive to win are all the same.
Antonio Graham graduated from Union High School in 2005. He is part of the Bill Blankenship coaching tree and was Owasso High School’s coach in the absence of coach Blankenship but has now returned home to coach the Redhawks.
One player who is excited for the opportunity to play for coach Graham is running back Tay Parry, a senior who rushed for more the 1,000 yards last season.
“My job is to get us down the field,” said Parry.
Parry is what you would call a “lifer” or “program kid,” having grown up playing youth football in the Union system and watching older athletes make their impact for the Redhawks. Parry feels it’s his turn to make an impact and be someone the younger kids can follow. For Parry, leaving a legacy is important and having his name in the record books is one piece of that equation.
“One thing I want to leave as a legacy is having the most touchdown in a game,” said Parry.
But knowing what it takes to be a starter at Union is one thing, being a two-way player is another. Parry has been called a leader and someone who is loyal to the program by coach Graham. Parry said there are many reasons why he loves being a Redhawk.
“What makes Union so great is what have the best equipment and players,” Parry said. “I looked up to guys like Darius Boone coming up.”
Parry said he is looking forward to playing Broken Arrow again this season and said everyone should look out for Oliver Smith and Stone Turner, two teammates Parry said will have big seasons this year. Turner is a big play wide receiver, while Smith is a lockdown corner on defense. Away from the field you can usually find Parry working out and preparing himself for the next level, which is the ultimate goal. Winning a state title in his final season would put a stamp on a great career for Parry and he is focused and ready to help his team get back to hoisting the gold ball in December.
