How South Brunswick worked their way into the school record books
SOUTHPORT, N.C. — In the postponed 2020 season, South Brunswick High School finished 3-4. This would be the ninth consecutive losing season for the Cougar program.
This left a bad taste in the mouth of the rising senior class.
With an unknown season ahead of them due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the seniors would take it upon themselves to practice during the summer to attempt to end the stigma of bad football at South Brunswick.
鈥淎 bunch of us got together and worked out together,鈥� Danny Parker, a senior running back, said. 鈥淚t ended up being pretty good because we have a bunch of dedicated players on our team.鈥�
The dividends of their hard work were visible early on.
After a 15-0 win against Richlands High School to open the season, the Cougars notched another shutout the following week against Midway.
Parker would be the catalyst for the offense in week two with 222 total yards along with five touchdowns.
鈥淭hat day we wanted it,鈥� Parker said. 鈥淚 just went off that day.鈥�
This would be just the beginning of a historic year for the Cougars. South Brunswick would win their next three games, resulting in a 5-0 start to the season. For a senior class that had only won 12 games total in their career prior to this season, the run was quite a thrill.
鈥淚t felt good because I鈥檝e never been on a team that was as good as this year,鈥� Parker said. 鈥淓verybody started coming to the games because we were winning. Everybody wants to play for a winning team.鈥�
Unfortunately for the Cougars, the second half of the year would not be as magical as the first half as they would ultimately finish with a 6-4 regular season record.
Nonetheless, the seniors accomplished their goal of changing the tide at South Brunswick and some were recognized for their stellar play.
Seniors Shelton Bocook and Noah Harrell, along with Parker, were nominated as All-Conference performers.
Parker鈥檚 play in particular stood out as he finished the year with over 1,500 total yards along with 18 touchdowns.
鈥淲e had a lot of kids that really wanted it,鈥� Parker said. 鈥淓very game, we would all go out there and give it all we had because we never knew when the last game would be because of COVID-19.鈥�
While the season and careers of the senior class may be over, this will be a team that lives in the memory of everyone involved for quite a while.
鈥淭he teachers were always saying things like, 鈥榃e鈥檝e never seen a team like this before,鈥欌�� Parker said. 鈥淭he team really just came together.鈥�
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