Former Local Rivals are Now College Teammates

Tilmon Parker, a graduate of Dr. Henry A. Wise High School, and Largo High School graduate Thomas Kennedy were football rivals just a few years ago.

Now, the two are college teammates and are determined to turn around the fortunes of the Division III Frostburg State University program in western Maryland.

Both players are fullbacks from Upper Marlboro; Parker is a junior and Kennedy a senior. Last year, Frostburg was 2-8 overall; in 2009, the school was 1-9. The year before that, they were 3-6.

"We have always had the talent," the 5-foot-11 Parker told Patch on Tuesday. "This year, it is a (new) mindset. People are ready to go. This year, people are ready to go."

Can Frostburg quickly turn it around?

"I am pushing for 8-2," said the 6-foot Kennedy, who like Parker was recruited by Salisbury University. "We don't have individuals on the team (now). We want to win. We want to improve."

The team begins the season Sept. 3 at Geneva in Beaver Falls, PA. Last year, Frostburg lost to Salisbury, 37-6, in the final game of the season. This year, the teams will meet on Nov. 12 in Salisbury.

Kennedy is majoring in law and society and is on track to graduate in December. His academic career has been buoyed by an internship at the Department of Agriculture in downtown Washington.

"My goals are to improve and leave the team in better hands," said Kennedy, who played in two games with two solo tackles last year.

Meanwhile, Parker is making the move from offense to defense this season.

"I definitely wanted to play defense in college," he said. "I made the switch to play fullback this year since coaches feel that will help the team."

Another Largo High grad at the college football level is Carnegie Tirado, a junior slot at Division I-AA Howard in Washington, D.C.

Jarren Brown, a redshirt sophomore slot for Howard, is from Upper Marlboro and played in high school at Flowers. The Bison open the season Sept. 3 at Eastern Michigan.