The Desert Shadow Sidewinders, without their star quarterback, were down and appeared on their way to a flag football season-ending loss.

But that changed when quarterback Tucker Parrish arrived late and jogged onto the field to join his eighth-grade teammates.

He had a resolve that reached beyond winning the game.

That day, Parrish played the best game of his young life resulting in a Sidewinder comeback victory.

No one knew that just an hour before kickoff, the 14-year-old dropped on the floor of the hospital bathroom getting the news that his father had died of cancer.

This didn’t stop Parrish. He turned the tragic loss of a beloved man who was not only his father, but his best friend, into a drive for achievement in school and on the football field.

“Playing football was my getaway instead of keeping everything bottled up and becoming depressed,” said Parrish.

A week after the passing of his father, Parrish’s grandmother and mother gave him a letter from his father which contained a simple, yet powerful message.

“Son, play like a champion today, tomorrow always in everything you do.”

Parrish was the only one in his family to have something left behind from his father.

“I looked at it as my dad talking to me,” said Parrish.

Parrish’s mother described his reaction as “stoic” when he received the piece of paper.

Since then the letter has stayed framed on his wall and has served as a daily message from his father.

This past Father’s Day as Parrish sat around with his mother, Jessica, and his stepdad, Adam, they recalled the letter.

“I don’t really show emotion and my parents thought it would be a good idea to get it tattooed,” said Parrish.

Since Tucker isn’t 18 yet, his mother and stepfather had to sign off on the tattoo.

His symbolic tattoo, located on his left forearm, includes the letter from his father along with two guardian angel wings: one for his dad and the other for his grandfather, who passed away from the same cancer a year after his dad.

The ink on his skin isn’t the only piece of his father that Parrish still has today.

“My dad was a huge Peyton Manning fan ever since he played on the Colts, and that’s why I wear number 18,” said Parrish. “It’s been a part of me for a while.”

The love for football was one of the many passions Parrish and his father, Donovan, shared.

“My favorite memory with him is just hanging out,” said Parrish. “I’d always lay with him on the couch watching Sunday night football.”

Before every game, Parrish has his father on his mind as he listens to songs he and his father once listened to together. Billy Currington is his go- to artist to calm down before kickoff.

“Sometimes during the national anthem I’ll get a chill down my back and I’ll always think it’s my dad,” said Parrish.

When Donovan was first diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer in the beginning of Parrish’s eighth grade year, he was the last one to be notified. The whole family wanted to be there to comfort him.

Young and naive, Parrish did not know the impact of cancer and the damage it could do.

“He’ll pull through, everything is going okay,” Parish kept telling himself.

At such a crucial developmental stage in boyhood, the thought of losing his father didn’t even cross Parrish’s mind.

His support system included his mother, stepfather, two siblings, the rest of his family and some friends he played football with throughout the years.

“He’s always been really blessed with the coaches he has had,” said his mother, Jessica.

With all of the love and support, Parrish had his own way of coping with the loss.

“Football has been his church,” said Jessica.

Parrish’s stepfather has been present in his life since he was a young boy. The two have developed a dynamic father-son relationship throughout the years.

From teaching him how to use a chainsaw to working on his car, Adam calls Parrish his son.

“We both understand that I am not in any way ever going to or want to ever replace his dad, I’m just going to cover some of the areas that his dad is not here to do,” said Adam.

One of Parrish’s best friends is Pinnacle center Luke Verbalaitis. He still hangs out with him to this day.

“Luke and his dad were there for me the most keeping me active and getting my mind off of things,” said Parrish.

From friends in a time of need to teammates on Pinnacle’s varsity football field, these boys have been through rain and shine together

“I let him know that I was always there for him and if he ever needed someone to talk to I would assure him that I’m here,” said Verbalaitis. “He did open up to me about how he felt about his dad passing away and to be honest I felt kind of special that he did open up to me.”

Whether it be going out to the movies or going to play basketball, Parrish’s friends kept him active to get his mind off of things.

Parrish remained persistent in school maintaining a 3.2 grade point average. His performance on the field continued to improve as well as his sportsmanship.

“On the field, Tucker is a true team player,” said Pinnacle kicker Jake Veach. “If we win and he has a bad game, he would choose that over him having a great game and us losing.”

Parrish’s coaches also provided positivity and strength.

“As the years passed since his dad passed away, he got bigger, more confident and he became very aggressive instead of timid,” said Pinnacle defensive back coach Kevin Crawford.

Crawford has known Parrish for five years. His son played on the same flag football team with Parrish in the eighth grade.

“Tucker is a good athlete,” said Crawford. “He’s strong, he’s fast, he’s smart and he likes to go after it.”

It’s safe to say that Parrish made a statement throughout his senior year at Pinnacle.

In his first year as safety, Parrish totaled 53 solo tackles, four interceptions and two fumble recoveries. He averaged 6.5 tackles.

“I think Tucker definitely has the potential to see the next level,” said defensive coordinator Andrew Hurley. “Tucker is a natural born leader who takes hold of the secondary and I can always rely on him relay the signal to everybody.”

The Pioneers finished 9-4, ending their season in the quarterfinals with a 52-77 loss to Chandler.

Parrish recently had right shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum which he has played with his whole senior season and is now on the road of recovery.

Parrish has committed to Division III Ripon College in Wisconsin with plans of dual majoring in sports management in business. He will be joining the Red Hawks in fall of 2018.

Although the future holds endless opportunities, Parrish has a passion for coaching sports just like his father, who coached him in football and basketball as a young boy.

“My dad was all about school before football, so that’s why I put school before football,” said Parrish. “From him saying that, it’s given me the chance to go on to play college football, putting my education first.”

Dylan Stevenson, one of Parrish’s best friends and corner for Pinnacle, has committed to Ripon College as well.

“I’m excited for the opportunity we both have to play at the next level together and to be together for another four years,” said Stevenson.

Wherever his journey may take him, Parrish has only a few words he wishes he could say to his dad.

“Dad, I hope I’m making you proud.”