Sun-Star All-Area Football team: Byrd’s big-play ability led Merced to another title

Merced High School’s plan entering the football season was for Jabar Byrd to spend most of his time on offense. Because of the Bears’ deep stable of defensive backs, the senior could afford to rest on defense.

That strategy didn’t last long.

Merced lost cornerback Lawrence Anderson to a torn ACL in a preseason scrimmage, and coach Rob Scheidt quickly realized Byrd was better when he didn’t come off the field.

“When he comes out, he has a hard time staying in the game,” Scheidt said. “I actually think he’s better when he’s a little fatigued. He gave us some great effort at that point. The Buhach Colony game was a great example of that. He gave us a big spark.”

Against the Thunder on Oct. 24, Byrd scored two quick touchdowns late in the first half to turn the game around in a 36-14 Bears win.

Byrd had a knack for the big play at the right time, rushing for 1,340 yards and 18 touchdowns in leading Merced to its second consecutive Central California Conference championship. The CCC MVP is the Merced Sun-Star Football Player of the Year.

Byrd had at least one run of 25 yards or more in 11 of Merced’s 12 games, including touchdown runs of 60, 90, 71 and 73 yards. He averaged 8.4 yards per carry. He also caught 17 passes for 289 yards and four touchdowns.

“I’m trying to explode for a big play on every play,” Byrd said. “Every play, I’m giving it my all. When you add the blocking, that makes for big plays.”

Byrd’s big plays usually came at crucial times.

With Merced struggling offensively and trailing Buhach Colony 7-0, Byrd broke free for a 54-yard touchdown. After a quick turnover, Byrd took a swing pass on the next offensive play for a 29-yard touchdown to give the Bears a 14-7 lead.

Two touchdowns in 23 seconds.

“He is what he was, the most valuable player we had,” Merced senior linebacker Jermon Cook said. “When we needed something, Jabar gave it to us. Whether it was a pick on defense or a big play on offense or special teams, Jabar came through.”

The next week at Turlock, Byrd did it again with a 40-yard touchdown dash in a downpour on the final play of the first half to tie the score 7-7. Merced won 10-7.

“I felt Turlock wasn’t expecting a run there,” Byrd said. “I think we also caught them not trying as hard on that play. We fought that whole play. I was going to break a tackle if I had to. I was not giving up. I knew I had to score.”

Byrd’s teammates fed off his energy. After his two big plays against Buhach Colony, the Merced offense got rolling.

“I think he encouraged the other guys to play harder,” Scheidt said. “When you’re not playing well, players have a tendency to slow down. They start thinking about what they’re doing instead of just going out and playing. Sometimes, it takes a special effort on a play to get guys going, and that’s what Jabar did.”

That’s why Byrd didn’t mind passing up a breather on the sideline. He wanted to make an impact on the game any way he could.

“I understand we want our playmakers out there as much as possible, and I gladly took that role even if it meant being more tired,” Byrd said. “Being in the game made me feel like I could make a difference in the game.”

This story was originally published January 7, 2015 at 3:59 PM with the headline "Sun-Star All-Area Football team: Byrd’s big-play ability led Merced to another title."