There is no better time than the present to anoint another Independence Bank Player of the Week. Independence Bank is proud to sponsor a weekly article highlighting players in the areas where Independence Bank flourishes who embody the same type of revolutionary service to their respective football teams which has made Independence Bank unique and special in the banking industry.
Independence Bank has a goal of achieving everyday excellence, and this week we are focusing on a player who is considered one of Kentucky’s most prized prospects in the graduating class of 2021 already reporting an offer from UK. Parker Bates’ Owensboro Apollo team competes in the 6A classification’s 1st-disrict.
His performance well exceeded reasonable expectations in 2019 for Owensboro Apollo. Bates will be heavily counted on for leadership and performance in 2020, his senior year.
Parker is a 6-5 inch tackle/guard prospect with good length and someone who is very athletic, especially for a player weighing 310-pounds. His team had one of the more effective ground attacks in the commonwealth of Kentucky in 2019 rushing the football 379-times while gaining from scrimmage 3,102-rushing yards. In only 11-games played, that comes out to some 282-yards rushing per outing.
Parker was well decorated for his efforts in 2019 having his outstanding play recognized by two national outfits. Parker was selected to the 2nd-team All-Kentucky football team by MaxPreps.com and was also honored 2nd-Team along the offensive front on the AP All-State team.
Apollo’s 2019 was a roller coaster ride which saw them improved steadily as the year progressed. The 10-point margin to start off the year playing a Warren Central team which entered the year on a 35-game slide which now numbers 46 wasn’t impressive. Losing to a Class 2A Caldwell County team didn’t impress two many around the Class 6A’s first district either. The seven point loss to district heavy-weight, Henderson County, on the road should have convinced many pundits the Eagles were making significant strides as the year progressed.
Regardless of the team’s performance, the Eagles have two players in Logan Weedman and Parker Bates who are both as good as one will see playing under the lights any Friday night in Kentucky pretty much anywhere. At least, that is our opinion, and we watch a fair amount of football.
Congratulations to Parker Bates, both for his Revolutionary Play in 2019 and that which is to come in 2020, all of which has earned him this week’s recognition from the fastest growing bank in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, your friends at Independence Bank.
This is Coach HB Lyon, reporting for Kentucky Prep Gridiron and reminding you that WE’RE JUST CALLING IT LIKE WE SEE IT!
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