Finalist Tony Heard was a bruising back for Edmonds-Woodway’s football team

Published 11:20 pm Monday, March 10, 2008

There was good news and bad news for the Edmonds-Woodway High School football team this past season.

But looking ahead to next season, there’s definitely more good news to come.

In 2007, Edmonds-Woodway rolled undefeated through its first 12 games, overpowering pretty much every foe in its path. That much was good for the Warriors, though not as good was a heartbreaking 28-26 loss to eventual state champion Lewis and Clark of Spokane in the state Class 4A semifinals.

But back to the good news. Next season, Edmonds-Woodway will welcome back Tony Heard, a powerful running back who pretty much had his way with opposing defenses as a high school junior.

The 6-foot, 225-pound Heard, one of four finalists for The Herald’s Man of the Year in Sports award, rushed for a 2,238 yards on 260 attempts for remarkable 8.61 per-carry and 172.2 per-game averages. Heard also totaled 33 touchdowns (31 rushing, two receiving) for an average of more than 2.5 (or 15 points) a game.

On defense, Heard contributed as well with 63 tackles from his linebacker position.

“Obviously, his physical prowess on the field was just awesome,” said Edmonds-Woodway head coach John Gradwohl. “You always knew he was going to make it happen with the ball. But with the intangibles, his leadership, he was also just awesome.”

Heard was a Warriors captain as a junior, a rare honor for the program, but one befitting his leadership abilities. He is also a terrific student, boasting a 3.86 grade-point average.

“He’s a great kid,” Gradwohl said. “And I’m just glad he’s back.”

Rich Myhre, Herald Writer