Herda named MoSports player of the week

By Joe Warren

Nevada Daily Mail

Nevada High School quarterback Ronnie Herda was named MoSports.com football player of the week for Class 3 after his performance against El Dorado Springs Friday.

The 6-1 junior accounted for five touchdowns during Nevada's 52-27 victory over the Bulldogs. Herda had three scores on the ground and two more in the air, accounting for almost 250 yards of total offense.

While Herda's personal stats were good, his ability to lead the team to 487 yards offensively was most impressive.

Nevada head coach John Skeans said representatives from the popular high school sports Web site e-mailed him earlier this week and asked for some quotes and a picture.

"I think the number one thing is the team, offensively speaking, found a good tempo (Friday)," Skeans said. "We were getting the play off with 15 to 18 seconds on the play clock."

That tempo allowed Nevada to score early and often, as they put up the most points scored during Skeans' tenure as head coach.

Skeans said Herda's work ethic has set the groundwork for any success he has this season.

"(Herda) has been in the system for three years and played as a freshman. This year he came back and has done an outstanding job. He's put in a lot of hard work," Skeans said.

The coach also highlighted how an award like this only happens when the team has success.

"Ronnie will be the first to tell you that it takes 11 guys to make things happen as a unit," Skeans said. "It takes the offensive line being able to block and protect; you've got to have receivers who can catch the ball and running backs who can move the ball. A good running game is a quarterback's best friend."

The running game has been Nevada's best weapon so far, averaging 242 yards on the ground the first two games this season.

Skeans said the scary thing is the quarterback and team are just beginning to make strides.

"We're kind of scratching the surface with how good we can be and what kind of level we can play at," he said.

Nevada hosts Butler for Homecoming at Logan Field Friday.