It’s a hot, sweltering Thursday afternoon with the temperature clocking at around 93 degrees. The sun is shining, with clear blue skies and a few clouds overhead.

The shouts of “B-U-L-L-S, BULLS, BULLS, BULLS, BULLS!” ring through Bullpen Stadium as the Parrish Bulls Football team warms up in the north end zone of their turf field, which debuted last season. 

The energy is high as the players bring it into the middle, preparing to begin another important practice session. Today is their last practice before their lone preseason game at the St. Petersburg Green Devils. This is the time for players and coaches to tune up their game plan and gain valuable reps before an important game tomorrow. 

McNear steps up after tumultuous offseason 

Once the team breaks down, they split up into their respective position groups. Some jog to the sideline, some to the end zone, and others towards the Parrish Bulls logo at the 50-yard line. 

The latter group consists of two redshirted players, both quarterbacks. The redshirt acts as a signal for all other players on the field, making sure the quarterbacks don’t get hit during practice.  

Joining them are two coaches. One gives directions and feedback on each throw. The other is snapping the ball for each rep. 

This temporary center is the Bulls’ newest head coach, Kody McNear. 

McNear was named Head Coach on June 27, 2026, replacing Dylan Clark, who led the program for the previous three seasons. But Parrish is a familiar spot for the first-year coach, as he had previously been the running backs coach. 

Many players have already expressed excitement about McNear being promoted to head coach, including RB Jacoby Thomas (Sr.), who called McNear a “players’ coach.” 

DB Jamari Smith (Sr.) took it a step further, calling McNear a “father figure.” 

“It’s more than just him being our head coach,” Smith told the Sarasota Herald-Tribune at Suncoast Media Day. “We look up to him...anytime we’re in trouble, or I have a problem, or anything, just ask for him. We’ll call him...chop it up with him anytime.” 

This relationship between coach and player is similar to what Clark built in his time at Parrish, bringing a sense of familiarity in what is otherwise a massive change. McNear, who told the Herald-Tribune he paid close attention to Clark’s leadership, intends to keep that familiarity intact for the entire program. 

McNear also emphasized “camaraderie,” telling the Bulletin he loves “the brotherhood and locker room atmosphere....playing for the guy beside you.” 

All these aspects combine into what McNear calls “the Parrish way.” 

“Good, clean football, good sportsmanship, relentless effort,” he said. “We’re going to play hard for 48 minutes.” 

No Volz, who's next? 

McNear continues to play center for his two quarterbacks. They are later joined by the group of receivers, who have just finished their first couple drills of the afternoon. 

The receivers begin to run routes and catch passes from both quarterbacks. One of them throws a high ball into the air, caught by one of the receivers. 

This is the Bulls’ new starting quarterback, Thomas Seymour (Sr.). 

For the first time in five years, the Bulls will not have a quarterback with the last name Volz. Both Jackson and Brycen Volz highlighted the Bulls quarterback position, setting school records and leading their respective teams to the playoffs before graduating, Jackson in 2024 and Brycen last May. 

Enter Seymour, who spent his freshman and sophomore years on the Junior Varsity team, and his junior year as the QB2 behind the younger Volz, who was the 6A District 11 Player of the Year last season. 

Seymour had an impressive spring game against the Southeast Seminoles, noting he threw for 360 yards and two touchdowns. The Bulls would come up short 28-24, but Seymour’s performance caught some eyes. He says his biggest takeaway was learning how to read defensive coverages, a massive responsibility as a quarterback. 

Seymour is a team captain, so he intends to lead “vocally” this season. 

“It’s all about having a voice on the team,” Seymour said. “But also playing by actions, because your actions speak a lot louder than your words. So, no dumb penalties, no mistakes.” 

What’s to come from the new Parrish Bulls? 

One week later, the Bulls are preparing to face off against the Lakewood Ranch Mustangs this Friday as they return from their preseason bout with the Green Devils, ending with an unfortunate 37-26 loss. Despite the final score, the energy on the sidelines never faded. Down two touchdowns at halftime, the team fought through the very last few minutes, with RB Caleb Gardener (So.) scoring one last touchdown to wrap up the game.  

With a new season on the horizon, team captain and S Denver McDonald (Sr.) says the team is aiming to make the playoffs for a fourth consecutive season, but also “build as a team, not only as players, but as people.” 

Stay tuned as we keep you updated on the Bulls’ season!