Byron Robertson 2000

BYRON ROBERTSON, St. Thomas Aquinas

2000 Mr. Football

By JOHN LENZ

Written for the LSWA

It's hard to catch up with the 2000 Louisiana Farm Bureau/Mr. Football. That's because he's already hard at work on his credentials for a run at Louisiana's Mr. Basketball 2001 title.

This is a parlay that's never been done in Louisiana, but don't bet against St. Thomas Aquinas of Hammond's Byron Robertson, who hasn't met many sports he doesn't like - or excel at.

The Louisiana Sports Writers Association voted Robertson as this season's Mr. Football for his efforts in leading STA's young program to its second consecutive Class 2A quarterfinal berth this season. It was an easy choice for the LSWA's statewide panel of writers - easier than deciding what position to put him at on their 2A All-State team.

Robertson was named the Class 2A Offensive MVP as a running back after he led the state in scoring and shattered former Leesville star Cecil Collins' mark for career touchdowns.

But he can match credentials with any of the writers' choices for All-State defensive back. Or return specialist. He was also the Falcons' punter. In fact, he never left the field from the opening whistle until the issue was no longer in doubt.

"I just want to do anything and everything to win a game for our team," Robertson said. "Basically, if I had to stay in all 48 minutes, I was down to do that. I just wanted to do something to win."And as soon as the Falcons completed an 11-2 season with a loss to eventual state finalist Riverside in the quarterfinals, Robertson was off to basketball. And after that's done, he'll run track.

In an era of specialization - players choosing just one sport to play, and even a single position within that sport - Robertson defies the norm.

"It's a team sport and you've got to have the other 10 guys, but let's face it: The success we've had is directly attributable to the kid, because he's one of those special ones," STA coach Randy Johnson said. Johnson puts Robertson at the head of the class of players he's coached in a 32-year career which includes stops at three Catholic League schools in New Orleans plus Chalmette and Assumption.

"He took average kids and elevated them to accomplish the things that we accomplished," Johnson said. "On the high school level, he has few peers." "He's what a high school athlete is all about," said Springfield coach Mike Stant after Robertson riddled his team for 156 yards and three TDs this season, not to mention an interception and a fumble recovery. "As soon as the season ends, he'll be wide open in basketball. And after basketball, he'll get on the track and he'll do that until school ends.

"He plays like a champion. Anything he gets, he truly deserves. He's a (Division) I-A player all the way.""He definitely defies that stigma of what you need to do to be successful," said STA basketball coach Errol Gauff of Robertson, who walked into the gym as a freshman and has started every game STA since, except for a few missed because of injuries or the football playoffs.

"He's never taken a break for four years - never had a break," Gauff said. "Gone from one sport to the other and been successful at each. And the numbers he puts up in each sport are awe-inspiring."During the regular season, Robertson (6-foot-1, 180) carried 188 times for 2,046 yards - an amazing 10.9 yards per carry average - and scored 37 touchdowns. In three playoff games, he had 514 yards on 60 carries and scored nine more TDs. He averaged 27.8 yards per catch as a receiver (six catches, 3 TDs).

As a defensive back, he had seven interceptions - one returned for a TD - one forced fumble and two fumbles recovered. Robertson's 46 touchdowns as a senior included four punt and kickoff return TDs, and his all-time total of 114 is the Louisiana record. He finished his career with 5,989 rushing yards.

But is football even his best sport?

In basketball, Robertson began his senior season with 2,288 career points, having been twice named to the Class 2A All-State team on top of three consecutive years as a first-team All-District choice by District 8-2A coaches. "I think I like basketball, because in basketball you can't get hurt that much," Robertson said with a grin. "In football you get hit on every play. I can handle the pain, but it hurts when they hit you.""Which one is he better at? I've seen him four years and I don't think I could say he's better at this sport than the other," Gauff said. "I just know he's a special athlete because of the things he can do in each venue. "He does everything (in basketball). Whatever we need, he gives it to us. What makes Byron special as an athlete is the competitive edge he has to always do his best and never let somebody else beat him. He does some incredible things, whether on the football field or basketball court, to help his team win."And he did it better than any other schoolboy football player in Louisiana in 2000.