High school football notebook: Parr has Oak Park on course as a contender
For the past two seasons, Kadyn Parr was part of a high-powered quarterback group at Simi Valley High.
There was Travis Throckmorton, now in the Pac-12 at Oregon State, and Steele Pizzella, the Pioneers' ballyhooed sophomore standout.
"I learned a lot," says Parr. "From Travis and Steele and the coaches. It was a good experience. I think it prepared me well."
Now Parr has found his own niche in which to shine.
Returning to the school he began in high school, Parr has earned the starting slot behind center at Oak Park High and is a senior with high expectations.
"I'm having fun," he said. "I'm really comfortable and Coach (Casey) Webb has an offense where I'm a good fit. I think we can have a very good season."
The Eagles have started 3-0, including a 23-22 victory in Week 1 over Calabasas and its array of top-shelf athletes that amounted to a signature win.
Parr, at 6-foot-4, 200 pounds, has been steady, productive and a two-pronged threat. He's completed 41 of 61 attempts for 430 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions and has rushed for 127 yards and two scores on 20 carries.
Like he says, it is an offense where he can show off his skills.
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"I can run when there's an opening, and I can stay in the pocket and throw to a good group of receivers," he said.
It's also a team that Parr isn't required to carry on his shoulders.
Oak Park has a gifted running back in Rowan Heidt (428 yards, 3 touchdowns) and a strong receiving corps that includes Hayden Lynch (14 catches, 204 yards, TD) and Landon Holmes (10 catches, 93 yards, 3 TDs).
The Eagles also have a stalwart defense led by linebacker Max Romanov.
"We're as well-balanced a team as any around," said Parr. "That gives us so much confidence because no one player has to lead us. We've got a lot of guys doing their jobs every week."
A season ago, Oak Park finished 5-5 overall and 1-3 in the Canyon League. The league has been fortified with the additions of Camarillo, Newbury Park and Moorpark, but the Eagles consider themselves prime contenders.
"We definitely believe we can win league," said Parr.
Oak Park with host Nordhoff in its final nonleague game Friday night, and open league play Sept. 16 when it hosts Thousand Oaks.
Parr impacts the Eagles a lot more than just statistics. He knows as the senior quarterback, he has to be a leader.
"That's been easy for me because I've known most of these guys for a long time," he said. "I know they look up to me to be the leader, and I like that role."
Parr said one of the key lessons he learned at Simi Valley was about temperament.
"Coach (Jim) Benkert taught me to be calm and poised all the time," said Parr. "That's what I try to be."
Through three games, Parr is among the players throughout the county who have emerged as the season's unsung stars. These are the players who aren't household "names." Yet.
They soon will be.
The partial list includes quarterbacks Andrew Maria (Oxnard) and Connor Smith (Moorpark); running backs Sawyer Cline (Ventura), J'lin Wingo (Rio Mesa), Phillip Kim (Pacifica) and Nathan Torres and David Jimenez (Fillmore); wide receivers Griffin Addison (Camarillo), Braylon Butout (Westlake), Tommy Alfaro (Pacifica) and Casey Knieriem (Newbury Park); and defenders Zane McCulley (St. Bonaventure), Andrew Rezinas (Simi Valley), Jaden Mosley (Oak Park) and Beau Purvis (Newbury Park).
Channel League race
Pacifica held serve, Ventura got defensive, Rio Mesa looked dominant, Buena rallied.
Yes, it was a interesting start to the Channel League race.
Pacifica held off highly regarded Santa Barbara, 28-20. Ventura, leaning on its defense, eked out a 10-7 verdict over Oxnard.
Rio Mesa rolled up a 42-3 victory over San Marcos. Buena ended its two-game losing streak at the top of the schedule by opening league with a 35-14 win over Dos Pueblos.
With four guaranteed playoff berths in the nine-team league, it was an important start for four of the county teams.
For Oxnard, there is disappointment but little reason to fret. The league season has a long way to go. One loss won't sink anyone's quest for a playoff berth.
Loren Ledin is the Prep Editor for The Star. He can be reached at loren.ledin@vcstar.com or 805-437-0285.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Prep football notebook: Parr has Oak Park on course as a contender
