Story
Parr's play at quarterback hopeful sign for Dwyer
Thursday, November 08, 2012
by
Matt Porter
Daniel Parr's final pass Thursday night was intercepted. American Heritage safety Xavier Swinton grabbed it, a 50-yard Hail Mary to the end zone with five seconds remaining, keeping the top-ranked Stallions undefeated with a 13-7 victory.
But Parr, Dwyer High School's soft-spoken sophomore, nearly spoiled their party. He went 8-of-14 for 71 yards and a touchdown in the second half, bailing out the Panthers' struggling offense.
Dwyer's running game struggled against Heritage, putting up 52 yards on 29 carries. The Stallions' defense gave them a 10-0 lead early in the third quarter, when sophomore Rondarian Bell recovered a fumble for a touchdown after Dwyer junior starter Robbie Nittolo (6-of-12, 80 yards, INT) was sacked inside the 5.
Click here to see photos from this game.
With another quarterback, senior Clay Meister, playing mostly defense, Dwyer sent out Parr.
He had the credentials. The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder led Dwyer's junior varsity (6-0) to its first undefeated season and threw 14 touchdowns and zero interceptions in two years on JV. He saw brief action this season against Jupiter but hadn't seen a team like Heritage, the nationally ranked Class 3A power.
And he delivered. An 11-yard carry from senior Cortney Lowery got Dwyer to the 40. Parr hit sure-handed junior Clint Stephens for a 12-yard gain. On second-and-10, another strike, 14 yards to Stephens.
Then nine yards to Stephens. After the Stallions stopped Lowery for a loss, Parr hit shifty junior Ezra Saffold for 13, all the way to the Heritage 3.
Parr dropped back. He rolled left and looked outside, then whipped a pass across his body to Stephens in the middle of the end zone.
Touchdown. 10-7 ballgame.
"You wonder what a 10th grader's nerves are going to be like," said Dwyer assistant Danny Embick, the Panthers' JV coach and a former FAU quarterback. "He did enough to show he could handle it."
Parr's finest moment came on fourth-and-10 with 1:46 remaining with Heritage up 13-7.
Trips right. Junior Johnnie Dixon sprinted down the sideline. Saffold ran a dig inside. Stephens ran a crossing route 15 yards deep. Parr hit Stephens in double coverage for 22 yards and a first down.
He drove the Panthers to the 26, but pressure from the Stallions forced him to ground the ball intentionally with 9 seconds left. The end-zone interception ended it.
And despite the loss, Dwyer has a first-round playoff game to look forward to. And plenty of hope.
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User Comments:
Question commented on November 9, 2012 at 1 a.m.: report abuse
Is the kid a resident inside WTD boundries, or is he attending one of WTD's fine magnet program's?
Post Script commented on November 9, 2012 at 1:04 a.m.: report abuse
Northeast ain't no joke this year.
@Question commented on November 9, 2012 at 7:01 a.m.: report abuse
He is a resident inside WTD boundries. Don't be an idiot
Good Job Parr commented on November 9, 2012 at 7:47 a.m.: report abuse
Parr is a young but very good quarterback. He is very capable of making big plays. Parr should have started that game. Maybe the coaches will wake up and realize.
Casey Shea commented on November 9, 2012 at 8:02 a.m.: report abuse
Way to go Dan the man, wish we could of bin there keep it up.
Aas the world turns commented on November 9, 2012 at 8:31 a.m.: report abuse
Let the soap opera continue!!!!
abc commented on November 9, 2012 at 8:48 a.m.: report abuse
parr was poised, accurate, and made good decisions. when parr threw the TD the dwyer sideline erupted { well except for robbie notolo and his parents who were visibly upset} very sad. he shoots he scores go parr and panthers
Riviera Beach commented on November 9, 2012 at 8:56 a.m.: report abuse
Very impressed with Parr. What a game to be thrown in the mix. Basically first Varsity experience against a team ranked in the nation. Had two shots at legendary drives to win this one.( still think Clint was interferred with on 3rd and 4th down after the fumble recovery in the fourth, but Dwyer had plenty of chances to win that game). What impressed me the most about Parr was his pocket presence. It obvious Dwyer has the horses to make a playoff run, especially on defense. If the Offense can put up 14 to 21 points, Dwyer could beat anybody.
Positive Polly commented on November 9, 2012 at 9:23 a.m.: report abuse
Question answered to Negative Nelly - Yes Parr does live in Dwyer's district. Be happy for the boy. Make a change in your life today to look on the bright side of things, help others, and use that negative energy by volunteering in the community. TAke it from experience -Your life will be transformed and you'll feel better about yourself!
On Parr commented on November 9, 2012 at 9:26 a.m.: report abuse
I've said it before and will say it ONE LAST TIME! Parr is the future at QB for Dwyer. If Rob, and Clay haven't secured that job by now then why not look to the future with Parr? Let this young man get the experience and take the helm for the next two yrs and stop the experiment with the upperclassmen. I believe the object of this game is to improve and WIN, so lets do it with PARR!!!
Pop Warner Coach commented on November 9, 2012 at 9:51 a.m.: report abuse
Dan Parr... you are the real deal....congrats buddy:)
TEAM PARR commented on November 9, 2012 at 10:23 a.m.: report abuse
Dwyer found its new QB last night. Great job Parr!!!
@ Question commented on November 9, 2012 at 10:28 a.m.: report abuse
Get a life. The kid should have been quarterback the whole season. Keep up the good work Dwyer. I have 4 more years with you.
QB question answered FINALLY commented on November 9, 2012 at 11:52 a.m.: report abuse
QB Question is OVER. Daniel Parr has proven he is the guy. He played well all season on JV. The Nitolo kid should not even take a single rep in practice. #10 needs to be a starter on the offense. Kid is tough.
PARR WHO commented on November 9, 2012 at 1:50 p.m.: report abuse
We Finally have a QB !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PARR WHO? #13 Dan the man, thats who !!!!
Tollo sorry you got out played by our rising star!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FAN commented on November 9, 2012 at 6:40 p.m.: report abuse
4 Words- "IT IS ABOUT TIME" Dont know why he wasnt playing from the start.
FAN commented on November 9, 2012 at 6:40 p.m.: report abuse
4 Words- "IT IS ABOUT TIME" Dont know why he wasnt playing from the start.
just so you know... commented on November 10, 2012 at 9 a.m.: report abuse
Nittolo is still the starter, and will start for the rest of the season
@ just so you know commented on November 10, 2012 at 7:02 p.m.: report abuse
I COMPLETELY AGREE
@ just so you know commented on November 10, 2012 at 9:15 p.m.: report abuse
That's a shame. No 2nd round for Dwyer.
@just so you know commented on November 11, 2012 at 8:32 a.m.: report abuse
just so you know pal, parr will be starting next week sorry to ruin your day
He got you there commented on November 11, 2012 at 9:41 a.m.: report abuse
Nittolo got you to the first round scored 3 td and controlled the ball well why couldn't parr score another td to win the game he had almost 2 qtrs?? Nittolo is the TOUCHDOWN KID
Really commented on November 11, 2012 at 9:56 a.m.: report abuse
Parrs fans are Tomilson& Cole please guys only you guys are on here writing this crap about how goid he is! Did you see him throw the pick to end the game? Nittlo hits that everytime for a td! Did you see Parr get manhandled? Matt Porter he's 160 lbs not 190! The excitement Nittolo brings to the game is untouchable. In a close game he's scoring he has the best arm I've seen. He puts the ball right where it has to be. Nittolo did get you to the playoffs!
@really commented on November 11, 2012 at 11:01 a.m.: report abuse
im sure the peoples names you mentioned could care less about whats happening at dwyer why dont you mention your name? dont be a child and guess who is posting and hide behind really touchdown kid for AH
will commented on November 13, 2012 at 10:25 a.m.: report abuse
Just look at the quarterback status. That should tell you who’s the best quarterback. How is a team going to get momentum when the coaches are playing yo-yo with the quarterback position this late in the season?
Sure commented on November 14, 2012 at 12:16 p.m.: report abuse
The coaches wouldn't have to play yo-yo with the position if one of them would have just stepped up.
They're either throwing picks, missing wide open WR's of fumbling near or in the endzone.
The coaches aren't going to give the positions to one of them, it's up to the player to take it.
will commented on November 14, 2012 at 5:32 p.m.: report abuse
They also got it near endzone and could not run it in for a score.
@ just so you know commented on November 15, 2012 at 12:18 p.m.: report abuse
You must be Rob Nittolo's parents LOL
will commented on November 15, 2012 at 3:03 p.m.: report abuse
I am just a spectator that likes high school football.
will commented on November 16, 2012 at 2:14 p.m.: report abuse
You're right Will they couldn't.
I don't think that's on the QB's though.
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