Lincoln County AD and Defensive Coordinator Parker Martin had one request: he didn’t want what he was about to give permission for to take away from the game on the field Friday night between the Red Devils and Elbert County in Elberton. 

He wanted the game to be about the kids about to play -- even as the adults around him from both schools were about to do something very special at the Granite Bowl.  

It was phrased on the Elbert County Football Facebook page (and a few other related sites) as a “love donation.” At the half, the two communities were going to pass the hat and come up with a donation for the Martin family.  

They did- to the tune of about $5000. It was a chance to remind all of us that there are things bigger than football.  

“Lincolnton and Elberton are so similar,” Martin says. “They’re tight-knit and really close. If you’ve spent time in either one, you know that you value one another and both communities rally around one another when they know someone is having troubles. It’s all about support, love, and prayers when someone needs them.”  

He should know...  

Martin is a 2007 graduate of Elbert County and lettered four years in football and baseball. He was a football coach for the Blue Devils before moving to Lincoln County, going over to Franklin County in 2018 as head coach for two years before moving back to Lincolnton. It’s the place where he married is wife, Hope, and is now the father of three children- a 4-year-old, a 2-year-old, and a 5-month-old.  

Coach Martin has been dealing with ulcerative colitis for a while. In 2023, his long-time physician retired and Martin found a new doctor in the Athens area. With Martin’s condition, his new doctor recommended a colonoscopy. It was something, by Parker’s own admission, that he should have had as a part of his medical folder for the past decade or so. It was the first thing his new doctor said he should have, and Martin went ahead with it.  

“When five people are standing over you when you come out of the anesthesia, you know something’s going on,” he admits. 

 On August 1st, he was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer.  

“At times, I don’t feel I deserve it,” Martin admits, “when they love on you the way they do.” He had his first chemo treatment two weeks ago. The family was able to find a match for an immunotherapy plan. He just had his first treatment in that path earlier this week. He says he’s feeling really good after the treatment and the symptoms he suffered tied to chemo aren’t nearly as bad. 

“It’s full credit to the therapy plan and the power of prayer,” he said. “This is bigger than the doctors and therapies are.” 

Franklin County

Parker Martin addresses the team during his stint at Franklin County.

Credit: Franklin County Citizen Leader

Coach Martin is trying to stay as even-keeled as possible every day and sticking to the pre-diagnosis routine. Seems to help in this new “normal.” 

“I’m still a little stubborn about it,” he says. “I’ll still get up at 4 a.m. and lift weights. I’ll put the practice schedule together, help get the kids up, head to school and enjoy the kids in the building, go to practice, and be home by 6:30. If we can, we’ll all play in the yard. Then, it’s time for baths and tucking them all into bed. 

“With three rugrats it’s a little hard to unplug sometimes, but my wife and I talk every night. It’s something we try to do and then, you realize it strengthens you and you lean into one another.” 

Initially, and understandably, his level of anger on the initial diagnosis and the question of “why me?” was pretty high. That’s totally normal.  

“Then, I got a phone call from a random number,” Martin tells me. “A woman’s voice asks me: ‘Are you Parker Martin?’ I said I was and asked her how I got my number. She told me the number was on top of her Bible. We shared a short conversation, and it does remind me to think. It has been a humbling process where you wonder what it is that you value in life?”   

Lincoln County is on top of the polls in Class A-D2 at 3-0, heading into a game with Silver Bluff (S.C.) this Friday that is next on the table. But, off the field, the coaching staff are -- like the community -- very close-knit. Parker tells me the staff is leaning into their faith in their daily talks -- and they all know they need to get checked. 

“It does give you the chance to think about things with them, too...”   

Parker is trying to make sure his brother gets a colonoscopy as soon as he can schedule it. He’s made a point to remind us all to stay on top of these kinds of things and if he can save a life by sharing his day-to-day, then he’s doing additional good. 

“It just reminds you to be as strong as you were before you face something like this. But it also reminds you the Good Lord has you covered.” 

Play it safe, everyone... I’ll talk to you soon... and we’ll all have the Martins in our hearts going forward...