Josh and Tony Heard, Edmonds-Woodway
Published 9:00 pm Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Some brothers don’t click, but Josh and Tony Heard are truly tight. The powerful runners share a backfield, and their bond transcends sports. “It’s a brother thing,” said Josh Heard, who will often rely on Tony’s lead blocks. “I don’t want him to get hurt and he probably doesn’t want me to get hurt,” Josh said, “so we just look out for each other.” Other teams better look out, too.
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Josh Heard (37) is the top returning running back in Wesco. He rushed for 1,743 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2005 and has a realistic chance to reach 2,000 yards this season. Edmonds-Woodway coach John Gradwohl said Heard has NCAA Division-I talent.
Nice genes
The Heard brothers partially attribute their bulky, strong bodies – Josh is 6-0, 225 pounds; Tony is 5-11, 224 – to genetics: They are both half Pacific Islander. “I’m taller and leaner and a faster kind of guy,” Josh said. “I’m more speed, but Tony’s more of a power back. He likes to run a lot more people over.”
Forces of nature
The Heards are smart and coachable, Gradwohl said. Tony has exciting potential, but Josh’s skill and experience make him a nightmare for defenses. “(Josh) understands our offense really well and how plays should develop,” Gradwohl said. ” (And) just his sheer size, the combination of power, strength and speed. … He’s a force to be reckoned with in that way.”
Fresh start
Last season Tony Heard became the first freshman to play varsity for Gradwohl in the coach’s 10 years at E-W. Heard debuted in the fourth quarter of a victory over Kamiak on Oct. 21, 2005 and then started the Warriors’ final three games. “He played real well (and) with confidence. … At no time did you ever think he looked like a freshman,” said Gradwohl. Heard, who jumped straight from the freshman team to varsity, said he was frightened at first, but “once I got on the field and got my first carry, it was just like any normal football game. When the game started, all the fear went away.”
