Published: November 06, 2009 12:11 am      

Guerrero knows his role

Senior is ready for anything

DANVILLE — Being a backup quarterback is only a glamorous job when the starter is struggling.

That’s when every fan in the stands is calling for you to enter the game. See Eddie McGee at Illinois earlier this season.

But when your team is 10-0 and ranked third in the state, the job of the backup quarterback is kind of like being the Vice President of the United States.

If anything was to happen, you better be ready to take over the reigns.

“That’s what you are expected to do,’’ said Danville senior quarterback Keith Guerrero. “I hope that nothing ever happens to Malcolm (Anderson) but if it does, I have to be ready to go in there.’’

Guerrero has seen action at quarterback in six games this season for the Vikings (10-0), but he has not attempted one pass this season.

“Keith has shown a real ability to run the football and run the offense,’’ Luke said. “And we know that he can throw the ball pretty well.

“It’s just that when we put him into the game, we are not looking to throw the football.’’

So Guerrero does the next best thing, he runs it.

In his six games, the senior has carried the ball 24 times for 148 yards, that’s an average of 6.2 yards a carry, and he has scored four touchdowns.

“We like the way he runs downhill,’’ Luke said. “When he gets in the game, we don’t want to stop our offense. He gives us a real threat of running the football.

“For the longest time this year, he had the longest run from scrimmage. He has shown his value in many ways.’’

In week five against Decatur Eisenhower, Guerrero raced 43 yards on one play.

That was the longest running play from scrimmage until Eddie Clark ran for 45 yards against Normal Community in week eight.

“Keith can do anything that we need him to do,’’ Danville senior linebacker Parker Johnson said. “He is really a good thrower, but we’re the only ones that get to see it when he runs the scout team offense.’’

According to the coaching staff and his teammates, Guerrero excels in his ability to run the scout team offense.

“He really gets us ready to face the opposing team’s offense,’’ Danville senior linebacker Quintin Brown said. “We like to hit on defense and Keith is not afraid to deliver a hit of his own when we go up against him.

“That’s why everyone gets so excited on the sidelines when he enters the game. We know how good he is and we really want to see him run the ball and score.’’

Guerrero admits he takes pride in running the scout team offense.

“Being the only backup quarterback that is one of my roles,’’ he said. “It’s not easy running foreign plays, but I know that I have to give our defense a good look to get them ready.’’

But isn’t it a little frustrating to be a backup in your senior season?

“Yeah, I would like to be on the field, but you have to make sacrifices in life,’’ he said. “I know what my role is on this team, and I know that I have to be ready for anything.’’

During the season, Luke has heard from some of the area coaches about Guerrero.

“There are a few of them that have told me that they would like to have Keith on their teams,’’ Luke said. “We know that they would, but we would rather have him here.

“Keith is a very unselfish player. You usually try to protect your quarterbacks, but we have thrown Keith into our kickoff teams every now and then, because we know that he can run and deliver a hit.’’

Not only has Guerrero proven to be a tough kid on the football field, he is also a pretty good teacher.

“I was having a problem getting a play down and Keith just reminded me to be patient and let it develop,’’ said Danville senior Malcolm Anderson, the Vikings starting quarterback. “He is a really smart guy and he knows the right things to say at the right times.

“I know if we needed him to, that he could step in there and get the job done for us.’’

Luke said that he wouldn’t be surprised if Guerrero kept playing football into college.

“He’s good enough that if he gets into the right program, he could play and be factor for a small college football team,’’ Luke said.

Right now, Guerrero and the rest of the Danville Vikings are focusing on a second-round playoff game against Oak Lawn Richards.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. this Saturday in Oak Lawn.

There is also an adult fan bus available for $25 per seat. For information, contact Cathy Flannery at 444-1556.