Freshman gets experience at the helm

Sunday, September 12, 2004
Quarterback Ronnie Herda looks for an open receiver during Friday's game. The freshman was starting because junior Justin Reed was out with an injury suffered during last week's game at Lamar.

By Joe Warren

Nevada Herald

With starting quarterback Justin Reed out because of an injury suffered during Nevada's win over Lamar last week, freshman Ronnie Herda was thrust into the spotlight as the Nevada starting quarterback Friday.

Herda faced a much stiffer test than the Lamar defense, it was the El Dorado Springs Bulldogs this week. The same Bulldogs that are now 2-0 after beating Nevada 7-6.

The game was up-and-down for the rookie quarterback. Herda had moments where he looked like a varsity quarterback, and he had moments where he looked like a freshman. Both are to be expected.

One positive was Herda's poise. He looked like he was running the offense. He had the confidence, the body language and every one knows, the talent.

That all was on display when Herda completed his first pass of the game that went 25 yards to Keith Overton.

It was on display again when he hit a wide open Heath Baker with a 30-yard pass late in the game and the Tigers trailing by one. Even though it was not caught, the pass was placed perfectly in Baker's hands, while he was running in stride.

And again when despite being sacked four times and pressured constantly Herda kept bouncing back and looking down field for his receivers.

But Herda does not have the experience and the maturity quite yet. There were also a few plays that showed Herda is still a freshman.

There were the three interceptions. The first while falling down and the Tigers inside the Bulldogs' 10-yard line. Rather than take a sack or throw it away, Herda attempted to throw an off-balance pass and it did not have enough on it to get to the receiver in the end zone.

That would be the last real scoring chance for the Tigers in the game.

The second pick came on a throw to the middle of the field that should have never been made.

Herda was trying to hit a post pattern, but did not read the safety who was playing the middle of the field in a zone.

The safety watched Herda's eyes the whole time and intercepted the pass without much effort when the throw was made.

The third interception came late in the game and the clock winding down, Herda threw a ball up for grabs with three defenders surrounding the lone Nevada receiver.

That all shows that Herda still has work to do to be the starting quarterback for the Tigers. It is possible he can continue learning from the bench, since Reed is cleared to resume practice next week and could play in the home opener against East Newton.

Besides, experience is the best teacher, and Herda got plenty of experience Friday.

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