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East Palestine’s Sherry is national finalist
By Brian Dzenis
Once again, Parker Sherry has placed himself above the rest.
The East Palestine quarterback finished as a national finalist for the Wendy’s High School Heisman.
Sherry was one of five male athletes selected among 45 state winners that was selected from 6,000 applicants for two awards (male and female). The national winners are Derek Zheng of Monta Vista High School in Cupertino, Calif., and Rachel Turner of Chaparral High School in Scottsdale, Ariz.
“It was kind of shocking,” Sherry said Friday.
Sherry will receive a $1,000 scholarship. He was a four-year starter with the Bulldogs and started in two of East Palestine’s four playoff appearances in school history.
Sherry said he’s still figuring out where he’s going to move into his college football career.
“I’m just talking to a lot of people trying to figure out what the best fit for me is. If I end up going somewhere bigger where I’m not getting as much money, my academics can help with that,” Sherry said. “Maybe it’ll be like the [Cleveland Browns QB] Baker Mayfield story. I’ll help out as much as I possibly can to be the best I can possibly be.”
To be selected for the Heisman, contestants have to have at least a 3.0 grade-point average and have to be considered a proven leader and a role model.
Sherry carries a 4.0 GPA, is rated No. 1 in his class and is expected to be the valedictorian.
On the community service front, Sherry has worked with Helping Hands through his church and its food pantry. He has weekly visits with a local boy with cancer and frequently helps an autistic student at East Palestine that is in his mother’s class.
“All of this has been happening [before I became EP’s quarterback]. It wasn’t like I needed a platform. It’s just about being the best person you can possibly be,” Sherry said. “After seeing how [Seattle Seahawks QB] Russell Wilson is able to take football and use football and how people look up to him.
“He’s visits a Seattle hospital every week and all the kids are excited to see him. I always though it was amazing.”
Sherry passed for 1,834 yards and 21 touchdowns with five interceptions as the Bulldogs went 5-5 in his final high school season. He also rushed for 902 yards and 12 touchdowns.
“This year was a really big bummer. It wasn’t what we expected especially after all the summer days where we worked out two-to-three days a day,” Sherry said. “It’s just motivation to keep moving forward, but it was still great to be out there with all these great athletes and coaches.”
In 2016, East Palestine won the final Inter-Tri County League Tier One championship. Last fall, the Bulldogs won the first Eastern Ohio Athletic Conference crown.
“We’ve had successful seasons, we never had a losing season — that was amazing — leading the team to [two league championships] and making the playoffs twice,” Sherry said. “With all my teammates and all the support they’ve given me, it’s just been amazing that I’ve been able to experience that.
“I had a good time and it’s time to get ready for college football.”