Parker quarterback Malik Muhammad connected with Carl Pitts for a 55-yard scoring play and the Thundering Herd defense did the rest in the 7-6 Class 6A, Round 1 playoff upset of defending champion and second-ranked Clay-Chalkville.

“I told the guys if you’re going to be the champs you got to beat the champs,” Parker coach Frank Warren said. “This is big for us. We practiced all week like we were going to win.”

The Parker defense held Clay-Chalkville (8-2) to a lone touchdown, a 25-yard scoring reception by Mario Carver with seconds left in the first half.

Parker (7-4) took the lead on Muhammad’s pass with five minutes left in the third quarter. It was Muhammad’s first game back since suffering an injury in the second game of the season.

The Parker defensive line controlled the Cougars throughout. Ashton Ellison led the defense with 3 sacks while Jourdin Crawford and Jeremiah Beaman were also strong on the line.

“The defense played lights-out,” Warren said.