A scary moment Monday night took place when Burke County head coach Eric Parker collapsed from a heart attack on the sideline and was unresponsive for a few minutes during his team’s rescheduled game against Wayne County.
Parker, who is recovering and in stable condition, was airlifted to Savannah to undergo various testings. The game, with region implications, was delayed from Sept. 30 because of Hurricane Ian and was delayed again 30 minutes following Parker’s health emergency. Wayne County won 17-16 in overtime.
“Thanks to God and the quick actions of our athletic trainer and the Wayne County Medical personnel, he is alert and doing well,” Rashann Parker, Eric’s wife, said in a statement released by Burke County Schools. Coach Parker will remain in the hospital for a few days to completely recover.
A coach for 26 seasons, he led Burke a state championship in 2011 to go with nine region titles. Most-recently, Parker has been an integral part in the inaugural class of the Georgia High School Football Hall of Fame, of which he is a board member.
The Bears will close out their regular season Friday at Southeast Bulloch and are tied (2-2) with New Hampstead for 3rd-4th seeds in Region 3-4A.
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