MA's Herrick "glue" for offense

Quarterback Josh Thomas gets most of the headlines for Montgomery Academy, but it's center Bates Herrick that keeps the offense together.

Herrick anchors a line that's helped the Eagles average 372 yards per game on offense and go undefeated this season.

MA (11-0) hosts T.R. Miller (10-1) in the second round of the playoffs Friday.

"Bates Herrick is really, he's the glue for our offense," McCall said. "We've had a lot of success this year, last two years, and as everyone knows Josh Thomas, he's really the straw that stirs the drink, if you will. He does so much for us. But I think without Bates Herrick, we'd be a lot different offense."

Herrick said the key to MA's success has been effort.

"I think, just as a whole, we just play hard. We try to play harder than everyone," Herrick said. "From a personal standpoint, I just rely on the guy next to me to do what he does to get my job done. I try to lead as best I can. I feel like as a whole the reason our offense clicks is because we play as hard as we can and we play together."

The leader in the trenches, the 5-9, 160-pound Herrick will get in someone's ear if he has to. No matter who it is.

"We've seen that. It's funny when you look at him, he's pushing 5-9, and you've got a 6-4 Tyler Mitchel, 275 pounds, but Bates keeps him in line," McCall said. "I think that speaks volumes for just his tenacity and the kind of kid he is."

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