Jake Parks: Once a Lineman, Always a Lineman

By Jay Gonzales | Rattlers Media

Jake Parks has always been a lineman, from his flag football days, to high school, through college, and now with the Arizona Rattlers.

But he has to pause a few seconds to figure out why he's always liked it.

"I would say it's probably the group that has to be the most in-sync out of any group," he said. "Just having to trust the guy next to you, and he can trust you. I think that's a big part of the game. It's just mano a mano. Sometimes he's gonna win. Sometimes you're gonna win. It's all about the next play."

His love for the position has carried him this far, and, he hopes, a little further. The 6-3, 310-pound lineman out of UC-Davis was a second-team All-IFL player with the Green Bay Blizzard last season and helped his team to the national championship game. He also spent a season playing in Finland, where his team won a championship, and where, he said, there's an appreciation for American football players and their knowledge of game that is new to that country.

"That was great experience. There's a great group of people over there," he said. "The game of football is still relatively new over there. It was pretty cool to see how much they want to learn about football."

After a season in Green Bay, he signed with Arizona with Blizzard teammates quarterback Max Meylor and running back Kymani Clarke, who, not coincidentally, are now his roommates.

Since arriving at Arizona, Parks has made himself available to do whatever has been needed. Though he's been a guard or tackle most of his football career, he has spent time this season at center as well as injuries and other factors have created the need to be flexible.

"I've always prided myself on being a utility guy, being where I need to go, knowing what I need to do, having the right technique, just really stepping in wherever the team needs me," Parks said as the Rattlers prepare for a rematch with the first-place San Diego Strike Force this week.

"Honestly, I've never really been a 'me' guy. I've always been a 'we' guy," he said. "Just be wherever the team needs me to put us in the best spot and make a championship run."

Playing both positions has actually been helpful for him, Parkssaid. Playing center has given him a different vision of his longtime job at guard.

"I just kind of feel like the game slows down for you at guard," he said. "At center you have that zeroed-up guy, he's picking which way he's going, he's right on you, you have to snap, you have your hand between your legs and you're trying to block him.

"Moving back to guard, I feel like I have more of an advantage. I feel like the game's slowed down a tad. I feel like I just have more room to operate."

With the Rattlers lined up for another playoff run – they clinched a berth last week and are now chasing the opportunity for a home playoff game – Parks is calling on his experience in getting to last year's championship game to help the many newcomers to the league that are on the Rattlers' roster.

"It's a long season. The biggest thing I've been telling guys is just take care of our bodies," he said. "It's the indoor game, it's not the outdoor game, but it's still physical, it's still taxing on your body. You have to be mentally ready, physically ready. I would say that's been my biggest thing these past two seasons."