Tre Heard is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Mesquite High School for AZPreps365.com. 

GILBERT – When Mesquite senior running back Parker Kaczmarek takes the field on Friday nights, he doesn’t just lead the Wildcats’ offense — he sets the tone for an entire program.

Ranked among Arizona’s top players in total yards and touchdowns, Parker has become known for his production on the field. However, what most people don’t see is the battle that’s been unfolding quietly at home. 

Last Christmas, Parker’s father, Brad Kaczmarek, was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He also had skin cancer that was successfully treated. The family has faced uncertainty along with emotional strain, all while Parker continues to lead his team and himself remarkably. 

“It’s been a lot of hardships and battling through those,” Parker said. “Lots of things came up that we weren’t expecting, and it’s been like a journey fighting through the hardships.”

Despite the weight of his father’s diagnoses, Parker never let it disrupt his focus. He’s continued to show up to every practice and every game – strong, determined and humble. 

“I just put my head down and work,” Parker said. “I can’t let what people say or what’s going on around me affect me. I just have to do me and keep grinding.”

That mentality has carried over to how he leads his teammates. He’s not the loudest voice in the locker room but his influence runs deep. 

“Parker is by far the leader of this team,” Mesquite coach Jesse Hart said. “He’s been so for a long time, and he’s the heart and soul of what we do on offense. You’d have no idea what he’s going through — he shows up every day, puts in the work and doesn’t talk about it.” 

Hart added that Parker’s influence stretches beyond football. 

“He’s involved in a lot. He’s definitely a guy that’s changing this program,” Hart said. “I’m excited to see what college he goes to because they’re getting a great player, but an even better person.”

Off the field, Parker serves on student council and also plays court volleyball in the spring. He’s learned to manage it all through discipline and time-management, which he admits doesn’t always come easy. 

“Sometimes it can be really hard,” Parker said. “It’s a lot of time-management — figuring out what homework I need to do, what days I have practice or events. I have to plan ahead so I don’t fall behind.”

That growth has been clear to his parents, Brad and Tara, who have watched their son mature under circumstances no family prepares for. 

“He’s definitely an internal processor, very much like his father,” Tara said. “He does a lot of what I call quiet support — like getting cancer bands, wearing light blue, and just being there in small, meaningful ways.”

Brad reflected the sentiment, adding that Parker’s actions speak louder than any words could. 

“He wants to know if I’m doing well or not doing well. He doesn’t want all the in-between,” Brad said. “That’s his way of showing care — quiet, but genuine. He got prostate cancer bands not just for us but for all his friends. That was his silent way of showing love, respect and support.”

Even when faced with difficult days, Parker never allows that to show on the field. His coach emphasizes that consistency has set an example for everyone around him. 

“You’d have no idea what’s happening behind the scenes,” Hart said. “He just keeps showing up every single day.”

His mother says that sense of humility has been ingrained in Parker since he was little. 

“We’ve always talked about staying humble,” Tara said. “You can be proud of yourself, but don’t be a jerk. Lift people up along the way. He knows he’s got to take care of the people around him. He even had his offensive line over for dinner a couple of weeks ago — he takes care of the guys who take care of him.”

While Parker’s performance on the field has drawn attention from college recruiters, he remains focused on making the right decision rather than the easy one. 

“My parents want me to go wherever I feel is the best fit,” Parker said. “Whether that’s across the country or nearby, it’s about making the best personal decision.”

Brad and Tara both agreed that wherever their son ends up, they just want him to be happy. 

“We’d never want him to stay here just for us,” Tara said. “We want him to go where he feels is right.”

For Parker, that decision will come from a place of quiet determination like everything else. 

He may not talk much about what’s happening at home. He may not show emotion publicly. But through every touchdown, every student council meeting and every moment under pressure, Parker’s actions tell the story of a young man who leads by example. 

“He’s caring,” Brad said. “He’s not going to say everything out loud, but he leads by example. We just want people to see him for the person he is. He’s just a great human.”