Tommy Parker enjoyed being a part of the Battle at the Capital atmosphere Saturday at Del Oro High School, especially Lincoln of Stockton's 50-49 double-overtime upset of top-ranked Pleasant Grove in the third of four games.

But for event organizer Mark Soto, it's young men like Parker who motivated him to turn the three-day, 10-game event into more than just a football showcase.

A few years ago, Parker was a high school football player and wrestler in Montana. But last December, the Marine lance corporal was on patrol in Afghanistan's Helmand province when the 21-year-old stepped on a roadside bomb. He lost both legs and his left hand but not his spirits, which caught Soto's attention.

A businessman and former Del Oro and Granite Bay football assistant, Soto is the father of two soldier sons, Ben, an Army sergeant, and Joshua, a Marine corporal.

After meeting Parker and other wounded veterans in a rehabilitation hospital in Southern California, Soto turned what he expected to be two short videos promoting the Battle at the Capital into a documentary, "The Day Remembered." Proceeds from the documentary and the Battle at the Capital will go to Wounded Warriors, a veterans assistance organization.

"A few years ago, Tommy was playing football just like these kids here," Soto said. "He's just a phenomenal and inspirational young man. That's why we wanted him to be a part of this."

On Friday, Parker gave an onfield speech honoring Pat Tillman, who left a lucrative NFL career to join the Army and was killed in a controversial friendly fire incident in Afghanistan.

Tillman's alma mater, Leland of San Jose, beat Highlands 52-7 after the presentation.

Then on Saturday, Parker presented officials with the game ball that came literally from the sky, delivered by members of the U.S. Army Silver Wing jump team. He also spoke to the crowd before the Del Oro-Westlake finale, thanking them for their support.

"I think this is a great idea, and it's for a great cause," Parker said.

While the crowds were light in the afternoon heat for the first two games, the Golden Eagles' stadium quickly filled for the Pleasant Grove-Lincoln and Del Oro-Westlake games.

Lincoln and Pleasant Grove renewed what has become an impressive rivalry – the Eagles twice beat Lincoln in close games last year – by engaging in a marvelous back-and-forth, three-hour-plus battle.

It wasn't settled until the Trojans went for two points after quarterback Zack Greenlee scored on a one-yard plunge to close to within 49-48 in the second overtime. Greenlee passed to Devan Barkley for the game-winning conversion.

"When you go into a huddle and the kids say they want to go for two, it's hard to look them in the eyes and not do it," said Lincoln coach Brian Gray.

Though Pleasant Grove entered the game ranked eighth nationally by Maxpreps.com, Lincoln, behind junior Justin Davis, who rushed for 192 yards and three touchdowns on 35 carries, dominated the time of possession in regulation (33:23-14:37).

Pleasant Grove's Cody Demps was 10 of 18 for 219 yards and three touchdowns. Cole Hikutini had four catches for 143 yards. Mark Jenkins rushed for 113 yards and three touchdowns.

Soto said the Battle at the Capital was so successful that two showcase events will be held next season, one at Del Oro and the other in Southern California.

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