Marble Falls running back’s actions on the field speak louder than his words
Marble Falls High School senior running back Keith Jerome tries to avoid La Grange senior cornerback Ty Beseda in the Mustangs' season-opening game Aug. 30.
JENNIFER FIERRO • PICAYUNE STAFF
MARBLE FALLS — The Marble Falls High School football team had a chance to take a two-touchdown lead against Burnet on Sept. 13.
So on third-and-goal from the Bulldogs’ 3-yard line, both teams knew who would get the ball: Mustangs senior running back Keith Jerome.
Bulldogs linebackers met Jerome at the line of scrimmage when he ran between the left guard and the tackle. But all they could do was hit Jerome and then slide off him as he fell forward into the end zone for his second touchdown of the contest to help the Mustangs escape with a 56-51 victory.
PREVIEW THE MARBLE FALLS GAME AGAINST BOERNE CHAMPION ON SEPT. 20
Jerome’s effort prompted a loud ovation from Mustangs fans.
“I love football,” Jerome said. “I don’t think (the fans) know how much.”
If people think his brash play also means a brash personality, they would be wrong. Jerome is soft-spoken, thoughtful and articulate.
And meticulous. He has wisely used the offseason. He set goals such as being a 1,000-yard rusher, helping the Mustangs reach the playoffs for the first time since 2010 and being a team leader. He has spent plenty of time in the weight room, where he has worked to get stronger. He has been on the field fine-tuning his moves and working to get faster from sideline to sideline. And he has traveled to different college football camps with the aim of securing a scholarship to play on the next level.
Jerome has his goals written down, and he reads them every day. And he believes all of them are attainable.
“As long as they allow me to do what I got to do, execute and play,” he said. “Everything should go well.”
Originally from New Orleans, Jerome moved to the area with his family after Hurricane Katrina forced them to leave the Crescent City when he was in the fifth grade.
He’s still getting used to the small town, he said, which means driving more than five minutes to get some things.
The reason he started playing running back is because of former New Orleans Saints player Ricky Williams and Cleveland Browns player Trent Richardson.
“(Williams) is so physical,” Jerome said. “One person can’t bring him down. He’s powerful. Once he gets to the second level, he’s gone. He can catch out of the backfield.”
One of Jerome’s highest honors was being selected to attend camp at USA Football in July. USA Football selects players from the camps to play for its 19-and-under squad that represents the country in the Team USA vs. The World game.
Though Jerome wasn’t selected for the squad, the experience was invaluable, he said, because it gave him a glimpse at what playing after high school is like.
Colleges have noticed the running back. He’s been contacted by Louisiana Tech University, San Diego State University, the University of Houston, the University of Tulsa, Houston Baptist University, Texas State University and Baylor University.
The son of Kathy Boutee and Keith Jerome Sr. plans to major in kinesiology to either be a coach or a physical therapist.
“I want to do sports,” he said. “I don’t want to be sitting behind a desk.”
When fans think of him, Jerome said he hopes it’s for two things that require his physical ability and his steadiness and go beyond the big hits and long yards.
“Hopefully, I’ll be known as a back who gets the job done,” he said. “And (someone who helps the Mustangs) make it into the playoffs.”
Marble Falls hosts Boerne Champion on Sept. 20 with a 7:30 p.m. kickoff at Mustang Stadium, 2101 Mustang Drive.
jfierro@thepicayune.com