Football star Herron destined for great things - on baseball diamond

JIMMY HERRON might be the city's best current wide receiver who won't play college football. Truthfully, that's because the 6-1, 185-pound senior is also a dynamic centerfielder who's headed to Duke when his days at La Salle High are over.

When that time comes, Herron could stake a claim as the city's best pass catcher - ever. Well, at least when it comes to catching touchdowns, nobody has done it more often.

One thing for sure, Herron is our latest Player of the Week.

The city's all-time leader in touchdown receptions added four more in the Explorers' 35-31, come-from-behind shocker against previously undefeated Archbishop Wood. The final one, career No. 33, capped La Salle's comeback from a 17-point deficit with 4:50 left in the final frame. That tally also tied the city mark for TD catches in a game.

"It's pretty cool," Herron said. "To have a place in the city's history is pretty cool, but it's kind of me being in a great situation at La Salle. I've always had great players around me."

In addition to offensive linemen, coaches and others, Herron dished plenty of dap before settling on quarterbacks: Chris Kane (now at Kutztown) and currently Kyle Shurmur.

However, we can't just let Herron off the humility hook. For his career, Herron owns 134 catches for 2,087 yards. Add 675 rushing yards, seven more ground scores, 235 passing yards and three TD tosses and your grand total is: 2,997 yards and 43 offensive touchdowns. Don't forget nine interceptions with one pick-six.

Not bad for a centerfielder.

"It was kind of always baseball," Herron said. "It entered my mind to play football, but getting an opportunity to play baseball for Duke in the ACC, one of the best conferences in the country, I couldn't pass that up."

His father Jim played baseball at Lansdale Catholic and was also a third baseman and catcher at West Chester. America's pastime might be in his blood, but some of Herron's skills work on the football field.

"On a deep fly ball, you're kind of running and turning your head around and you sometimes lose track of it," Herron explained. "That's kind of like football. You have to just keep your eye on the football and try to make the catch."

Fastballs from Shurmur likely don't require as much tracking.

"On that last touchdown," Herron said, "I think the ball was out of his hands before I made my cut. And I turned around and it was right there on my numbers, so it's great playing with him. He makes everything a lot easier."

Herron said they bonded from Day 1 because Shurmur, who transferred in from Ohio last year, sat next to him in homeroom on the first day of classes. It didn't take long before they gelled on the field.

"It's awesome," Herron said. "We're usually always on the same page. Even if I'm his third read, he'll end up finding me."

Next up is the Explorers' first chance at St. Joseph's Prep, which beat La Salle twice last season and captured the Catholic League crown. Friday's contest at Plymouth Whitemarsh is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and will also be streamed live at www.TheSportsFanBaseNetwork.com.

Herron and Co., should hope to follow the Hawks' lead from last season. Prep came from behind to knock off Wood last year and eventually parlayed that momentum into a Class AAAA PIAA championship.

"I think it shows how good we can be," Herron said of the win over Wood. "I think it could be a defining moment in our season. That we can play with anybody. We just have to keep our heads down, keep working and see how far we can take this thing."

Passing along some high school football notes . . .

Nasir Boykin, Martin Luther King High's sophomore quarterback, led the Cougars to an improbable 50-49 comeback win in overtime against Northeast. Boykin set a school record for passing yardage in a game with 384. His four touchdown tosses also tied for fourth in city history, according to TedSilary.com. Also, senior receiver Dominque McNeil set a single-game school mark with 190 receiving yards . . . Last week's matchup between Ben Franklin and Abraham Lincoln, which was postponed because of a bomb threat, has yet to be rescheduled and might be tacked on near the end of the season, pending playoff implications . . . This week's Catholic League contest between Lansdale Catholic and Conwell-Egan has been pushed up to 1 p.m. at Truman.

Other Player of the Week candidates: Boykin and McNeil from King (see above) . . . In defeat, Wood's Jarrett McClenton was spectacular, rushing for 293 yards and three scores against La Salle . . . Lansdale Catholic's Ryan Quigley gobbled up 226 yards on only 10 carries and scored thrice in the Crusaders' 36-25 win against McDevitt. Quigley also added a 42-yard pick-six . . . Haverford School's senior dynamo Phil Poquie trampled for 195 yards and two scores on 17 carries in the Fords' 41-22 toppling of Roman . . . Springside Chestnut Hill Academy sophomore Syaire Madden stomped the Hill school for 258 yards and two scores on 22 totes in the Blue Devils' 35-19 victory.

1. La Salle 5-1

2. St. Joseph's Prep 2-3

3. Imhotep 5-1

4. Haverford School 4-1

5. Archbishop Wood 5-1

6. Father Judge 4-2

7. Ben Franklin 5-0

8. Sprinside Chestnut HIll 5-0

9. Bonner-Prendie 6-0

10. Roman 3-3

Also considered: Del-Val, Martin Luther King, Prep Charter, Simon Gratz, West Catholic.