Parham Picks a Side in 'The Game'
Longtime Christ School employee is a former Asheville School football player
Duncan Parham has reached a point in his life where Asheville School Week is no longer seven days of conflicting emotions.
Even if the 1984 Blues graduate is now Christ School's Assistant Athletic Director and Strength Coach. Parham will throw on some green next Saturday, and make no apologies for it, when the two oldest high school football rivals in the Carolinas square off for the 91st time. Kickoff from Asheville School's Arbogast Field is set for 1:30 p.m.
"The rivalry has always been fun. It definitely brings back a sense of nostalgia," Parham said.
"Inevitably, the kids here will find out about my past and they ask who I root for. I tell them I'm a Greenie now. I know every member of our team. I don't know anyone who plays for Asheville School any more, so why would I cheer for them? I always get butterflies. I always get anxious. But it has become less over the years. I'd like to think a lot of it has just come with maturity."
Parham has been a Christ School employee for 15 years. And his only son, Ells '13, was a defensive end for the Greenies not so long ago. Father and son were both victorious in their final installment of "The Game," which since 1971, has meant taking possession of the Fayssoux-Arbogast Trophy for one year.
Parham played tight end, defensive end, punted, and handled other special-teams duties in his three seasons as a varsity football player for Asheville School.
"I never left the field," he said.
"I was part of three Asheville School-Christ School games. We lost my first two, then won my final one. What I always say is a victory in this game really sets the tone for the whole school year. If you're a team with a 1-9 record, but that win is over your rival, that's a winning season. And if you're 9-1 but lose this game, it is almost considered a losing season."
Another interesting connection with Saturday's game will be on the opposite sideline. Former Greenies Head Football Coach Ben Williamson is a first-year assistant for the Blues. Williamson coached Christ School from 2003 to 2007.
