Setting the Standard: Junior Parker Leise joins the football team with hopes to raise the team’s standards while bettering himself

If you asked junior Parker Leise what the most important part of football is, his answer would come easily.

Brotherhood. 

It’s a fundamental force that Parker has found with his new teammates and coaches since he came to East as a quarterback only a semester ago. After a summer of suicide drills in 100 degree weather and never-ending bench presses, he’s become close enough to his teammates to organize team dinners and weekend Top Golf outings.

“Football is about fighting for the man next to you and when you’re in times of need, then the people around you will support you,” Parker said. “It’s about supporting people when they need it, and getting it back when you do. I’ve found that with this team.”

Parker can’t remember life without football. Raised by a former D1 football player, he grew up playing the game. At age nine, he began playing on a rec team. By 13, he was playing competitively. Football was always something Parker loved, but it became clear when he was 14 that it was more than just his hobby — it was his future. 

Joining the East football team as a junior, Parker believes this new school is a major stepping stone in his career. He spent his summer training and practicing with new teammates, working to show his commitment to the team and prepare for the season. He grew as a player, but he also grew with the team, according to Head Football Coach Justin Hoover, who saw his transition with the team happen naturally. 

Hoover thinks that, while Parker’s skill has helped the team, it’s his attitude that’s had the greatest impact. 

“Parker’s the type of kid that doesn’t believe in bad moods,” Hoover said. “He’s just the same positive guy every day. He comes with a winning attitude. And the consistency of that has allowed for us to keep moving forward, and rubbed off on other players.”

Along with his mentality, Hoover recognizes Parker’s work ethic as what makes him truly unique — he’s always the first to arrive at weight-training and the last one picking up equipment on the field. Hoover believes it’s this drive that really sets him apart as a team player. 

“There’s a lot of guys that can throw a football,” Hoover said. “But Parker, he’s motivated. I think he really loves playing the position. He really loves playing the game. That will be the separator when it comes to reaching his potential and getting to the next level.”

Parker spent his summer seeking that next level, traveling to 17 college camps in 31 days. He felt it was a great opportunity for him to compete against other top-level recruits and meet coaches. 

The only issue? The East football team had mandatory weights every weekday from seven to nine in the morning. 

So rather than missing weights, Parker drove back to Prairie Village after each camp, coming in late — at times even returning at 4 a.m. — just to wake up two hours later for football workouts and drive to another afternoon college camp the next day. This routine lasted for three weeks. In his month of traveling, he only missed weights three times. For Parker, spending time with his team was more important than sleep. 

“This whole summer, it was my goal to prioritize East over anything else,” Parker said. “Being here for my team and being able to help improve during practice was important. I needed to still be in the picture.”

Parker’s constant devotion to the team despite college scouting is what showed senior Ryan Ward his commitment. It’s how he gained Ward’s respect, along with the rest of the team — proving himself as a team leader.

“We saw his dedication to the team,” Ward said. “He’s there always for us. And he’s making us a priority. His love for the game, I’m inspired by it.”

While Parker’s grateful for the opportunities he’s had, he recognizes the role his coaches have played in his success. He attributes his driven mind and motto of always staying one step ahead to his father, who served as his first coach up until high school. Now at East, Hoover has also served as a mentor, showing Parker what it means to be a good quarterback — from consistency in throwing to being a selfless player. 

“If it wasn’t for [Coach Hoover], I don’t know where I would be,” Parker said. “He’s had such a drastic change on my career. I’ve learned so many lessons, both physically, mentally and just lessons for life.”

The feeling is mutual — Hoover knows that if Parker continues on the path he’s on, he has a good chance of playing D1 football. 

“As a player, I think the sky’s the limit for him,” Hoover said. “I really do. I think if he continues to grow at the pace that he’s grown in the last year, I don’t think anyone will be surprised by the success that he can have on the field. I can’t wait to see what this season looks like for him and the team.”