There's more to this quarterback than stats, accolades

By ARMANDO GARZA
armandog@valleystar.com
956-421-9874

LOS FRESNOS - Everyone knows Los Fresnos quarterback Jeremy Springer puts up big numbers on the football field.

His 3,187 yards passing and 40 touchdowns this season has put him in the same class as Rio Grande Valley legends like Lupe Rodriguez, Koy Detmer and, more recently, Billy Garza.

But while he has undoubtedly put up numbers that are the stuff of legends, Jeremy Springer is also just a normal kid who loves playing football.

The senior southpaw will lead the Falcons into arguably the biggest game in the program's history as they travel to Victoria to face Austin Westlake (9-2) Saturday afternoon in a Class 5A, Division I regional semifinal clash.

When he's not commanding the Falcon offense down the field, Springer is your normal teenager who likes other activities aside from football, including fishing, basketball and billiards.

In addition, his twin brother Justin, a linebacker for the Falcons, who is one-minute older than Jeremy, is also a big part of his off-the-field life.

"We love to throw the ball around and we're always talking football," he said. "We play video games together all the time and our favorite is Madden '07."

Playing quarterback has more ups than downs, said Springer, a three-year varsity letterman who is in his first year as the full-time signal caller.

"I get to command 10 other guys out there," he said. "You're the guy that calls the plays, calls the shots.

"You take heat whenever you throw a bad ball, but you come back and make a great pass and everyone loves you for that," he continued. "That's the good thing about it."

His love for the position can be traced to his childhood.

As with almost any boy growing up in football-crazed Texas, Springer's favorite NFL player was Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman, who served as the perfect model.

"He had a great arm and he wasn't the fastest guy in the world," he said. "I don't try to be like him, but I read his book and see what he experienced and try to relate to that.

"I try to be myself, but I try to think like him. He's a good example," he added.

His Aikman-like leadership and poise may not have been more evident than his outing against Weslaco on the road in Week Ten.

After starting tailback Luis Campos went down, Springer ran the ball (23 rushes 138 yards) and willed the Falcons to their first district championship in Class 5A.

"I felt a great sense of urgency," he said. "Anytime you lose a three-year letterman like Luis, it's tough and I had to take it in my hands.

"It meant a great deal (to me). he said of the Weslaco game. "I wanted to win for my team."

Los Fresnos head coach Scott Ford, who's coached stellar athletes including current Oklahoma quarterback Paul Thompson, said Springer is right up there in terms of stellar athletes, and it all starts with the mental game.

"He's not overwhelmed by anything," Ford said. "He definitely embraces a challenge."

Last week against La Joya, Springer met his latest challenge and threw for 295 yards and six touchdown passes. He ran for 71 yards and two more scores, accounting for each of Los Fresnos' touchdowns to pace the Falcons past the Coyotes, 55-28.

Anyone on such a roll would stop and realize what kind of game he's having, right? Not Jeremy Springer.

"I realized I was having a good game when it was 55-28 (and the game was over)," he said. "At the end of the game, that's when I could tell. During the game, I don't think about that."

About his lofty statistics: They're just numbers to this QB.

"No matter what it is, I do everything for my team, I don't do anything for my stats," said Springer, who has 483 yards rushing and 14 more TDs. "I want (our team) to be winners. I want to be remembered as a winner here, not just for stats."

As far as Saturday's matchup is concerned, while he is relaxed with the big game looming, Springer knows the importance of the game for the Falcon football program.

"It's the biggest game of my career and the biggest game for Falcon football," he said. "If we can get this win, it would be the biggest win ever.

I'm nervous, of course, cause I want to win," he continued. "But I'm going to go out there and give it my all, no matter what."

 Nov 29, 2006 - 23:00:11 CST