Featured athlete: Cordell athlete is more than just bat, ball and his mitt

The relationship between a coach and his players has an effect on more than just the team itself, but also the attitude of each individual player. In Parker Johnson’s case, head coach Bobby Blackburn acts as a mentor who holds him accountable both on and off the field.

“Blackburn will always be straight with you, no matter if it's good, bad, or ugly. If you need to get a butt chewing, you will definitely get it. I like that about him; he will put you in your place when you need it,” Parker said.

Through his consistent honesty and unique storytelling, Blackburn earned himself a special spot in Parker’s heart.

“Blackburn is probably one of the best coaches in our school system, and one of my favorite people. You could sit and talk to that man for hours upon end and he would tell you stories you could never hear from anyone else,” said Parker.

Blackburn expects big things from Johnson this year.

"I'm excited to see what Parker brings to the field this year. He came into offseason after Christmas break with a dedication to be a btter catcher as well as hitter," Blackburn said.

The coach looks for Johnson to step and be a leader this year.

"He is a fierce competitior and his maturity are qualites that can take him and this team far," Blackburn said.

Johnson is excited to kick off the 2021 baseball season, and has high hopes for the team’s future.

“I think we can pick up where we left off. I'm excited. Honestly, I can't wait. I'm anxious to get out there because I know what we can do,” Parker said.

After only getting to play two games last season before baseball was canceled, Johnson and the rest of the Cordell boys are itching to get back on the field.

“We have seen how things can get taken away and are gonna play every game like it’s our last. We aren’t going to take anything for granted,” Parker said.

The Blue Devil Baseball Team is a closely knit bunch, a factor that has a massive effect on gameplay.

“At the end of the day, it feels like playing with your brothers. Once you play with them for so long, you start to understand how they think, and can see things from their perspective,” Parker said.

Johnson has two superfans that can be found at every one of his baseball games, rain or shine: mother, Cathy Johnson, and nana, Connie Zimmerman.

Johnson's mother inspired him to pick up the sport and was left heartbroken when he dropped baseball for soccer in his freshman year.

“My mom was the reason I picked baseball back up. I don't know where I'd be without her,” Parker said.

Johnson also credits his mother for helping keep his grades up and teaching him how to cook, which is one of his favorite hobbies.

“I can't have C’s or anything lower, so I try to keep A’s and B’s. I think she makes me a better person. I also love to cook, and that's definitely something my mom taught me to do,” Parker said.

Cathy Johnson’s mother, Connie Zimmerman, is Parker’s other superfan, attending every one of his games even before he played for Cordell.

“My nana is definitely my biggest fan. I remember there was a time when me and Dane Corbin couldn't even play here in Cordell because there wasn't a baseball team yet. We had to go play in Mountain View for one or two years in a row, And my Nana never missed a single game, and even now, she still never misses a game,” he said.

Johnson fondly remembers his nana attending one of his seventh grade baseball tournaments in Navajo. It was at this game that frigid November winds had forced the entire audience into their cars. Johnson’s nana was the only spectator who braved the cold, refusing to watch her grandson play from the parking lot.

“She sat right behind the chain link fence for the whole game, taking pictures and cheering me and Dane on,” Parker said.

Connie Zimmerman’s late husband, Nickey Zimmerman, also has a massive effect on Johnson's life, kickstarting his love for cattle at an early age.

For as long as Johnson can remember, his Papa, Nickey Zimmerman, has always had cattle. Johnson fondly remembers his papa picking him up from daycare and taking him to the farm to tend the cows. His papa’s farm is also where Johnson learned to drive.

Johnson’s papa passed away two years ago. The loss took a serious toll on Johnson.

“It was really hard on me. He was like a second dad to me, he took care of me like I was his own son. Between him and my actual dad, I had all the support I could ever want or need,” Parker said.

The Johnsons have their own “cow-calf” operation now on about 100 acres near Mountain View, as a result of Parker and his mother’s passion for it.

“We have about 60 head of cattle out there. We just feed the moms up, and take care of the calves. If it's a heifer, we will keep it if we want it, and then sell the bull calves. It's a lot to take care of, especially in the wintertime,” Parker said.

Johnson tends the cattle to feel close to his papa, much like the emotions he has tied to duck hunting.

“Everytime I bulldog a calf to get a tag in its ear, it's for my papa. When I get kicked by a calf, I can tell it's papa picking on me,” Parker said.

Johnson’s love of duck hunting stemmed from his relationship with close friend Creed Bouse, who passed away in December of 2019.

“I feel like that was Creed’s passion. When our group goes out to hunt, It's like he’s still around. I just know it puts a smile on his face to know that we are out there,” Parker said.

Johnson and his buddies, Ryan Neeley and Blaine Larsen, make up their hunting group.

“At least two, or three, other guys and you gotta all decide how you want to set your spread, which is very strategic. You have to plan out how you want to set that, then set up your blinds, and you've all got to work together brushing your blinds so the ducks don't see you. It’s like a big group project and I think that's what made me love it so much. Creed, Ryan and Blaine loved it too, which made it even more fun,” Parker said.

Duck hunting allows Johnson to spend time cracking jokes with his friends.

“You can be loud, and when you are hunting with someone like Creed, being able to laugh and stuff is a necessity. Anytime there’s an opportunity for a joke, one of us is gonna hop on it. It’s inevitable,” Parker said.

Johnson loved hunting before he could even fire a gun, always tagging along with his father, Chris Johnson.

“My dad has taught me everything, seriously. I mean, there's pictures of us hunting together before I could even walk to the stand. He would literally have to carry me, and I would do nothing the whole time. I would sit there. He would still take me, because if I left me home, I would throw a fit because I wasn’t out there with him,” Parker said.

Johnson's father inspired his love for hunting and sports.

“He built my passion for the woods and the outdoors. He’s always been there playing catch with me, and now he'll go up to the batting barn with me so we can play catch or practice hitting the ball. He's always been super active and involved in my life, right behind me, pushing me every step of the way, Along with the rest of my family,” Parker said.

Johnson has a deep connection with the outdoors, and is grateful for every moment he can spend hunting, fishing, or traveling.

“Being alone in the silence of the woods while hunting, and seeing how animals act whenever they don't know you're watching is awesome. Even if you don't see any animals, getting to see some sunrises and sunsets is a beautiful thing. You also get a lot of prayer time when you're alone too, you can reflect a lot on yourself, that’s what I do at least,” Parker said.

After receiving DUI charges in December of 2019, Johnson reevaluated his life, and looked to his faith for guidance.

Johnson is an active member of his church, attending whenever possible.

“I grew up in church. My parents are both active in our praise team at church. We haven't gone in a minute because Corona has made it to where we're not really having church. But anytime the doors were open, I was there with my sister,” Parker said.

Johnson’s sister, Madison Johnson, is a role model for him, and uses her experience to give him the advice he needs.

“She is the person I confide in most. I can always be open and look to her for advice. She's always two steps ahead of me, because she's out of the house. She's got years in college that I don't have. She knows what she's doing, so she's a good role model for me,” Parker said.

The pair’s relationship is far from one-sided, they hold each other to the same standard.

“She's definitely had to tell me several times that I'm going to drive our parents insane if I don't chill out, and she always calms me down whenever I need it. She looks out for me and tries to keep me out of trouble. I'd say I do the same for her, because I know sometimes she'll be running around at college parties and I’ll tell her to chill out. We keep each other in check,” Parker said.

Johnson has worked hard to change his life for the better, and continues to do so by focusing on the words Blackburn gave him his junior year.

“Your rearview mirror is smaller than your windshield for a reason, don't let the past distract you, when the future is what really matters.” - Bobby Blackburn.

THE JOHNSON FILE

PARENTS: Chris and Kathy Johnson

FAMILY: Sister - Madison Johnson, Nana - Connie Zimmerman, Papa - Nickey Zimmerman

YEAR: Senior

HOBBIES: cooking, fishing, hunting, listening to music, tending cattle, grilling with dad, shopping with Madison, traveling

SPORTS: Baseball

FAVORITE MUSIC GENRE: Rap, hip/hop

FAVORITE ARTISTS: Lil Yachty, Drake, Big-KayBeezy, Kodak Black, LPB Poody, Lil Skies