Uherek has keys to DeMathas offense

Nikolay Uherek is faced with a rather daunting yet exciting task. It's akin to taking the keys to a brand new Mercedes Benz and driving it full speed on the German Autobahn … without crashing. At least, that's sort of what it's like to quarterback the offense of powerhouse DeMatha.

After spending much of last season watching from the bench, the 6-foot-2, 195-pound Uherek has been thrust into the starting role for a team whose success is measured in championships. This year, the Stags are once again brimming with talent and will undoubtedly be ranked among the top-25 teams in the nation. Needless to say, the pressure is immense, especially since DeMatha is out to avenge last season's loss in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference title game to rival Good Counsel.

Can Uherek handle the wheel?

"I feel really confident that I can come right in and compete," Uherek said. "I have been waiting for this moment since I arrived at DeMatha in the ninth grade. We have a lot of outstanding athletes on this team, and all I have to do is play my role and not press things and everything will work out."

Uherek did see a little playing time in some of DeMatha's one-sided victories last season, although his main job was to hand the ball off. He did, however, take advantage of one big opportunity, hooking up with receiver Josh McPhearson for a 63- yard touchdown on his first pass attempt. Maybe that was a sign of things to come. DeMatha coach Bill McGregor certainly thinks so.

"I think that Nikolay is one heck of an athlete and is prepared to lead this team," McGregor said. "He has all of the leadership credentials that I look for in a quarterback."

Of course, Uherek's job is made easier by a star-studded supporting cast. In fact, it can be argued that the DeMatha quarterback is in the spotlight much less than at some other programs. Last year, for example, starter Danny Tapscott had a fine season. But he played second fiddle to running back Marcus Coker and a stellar offensive line.

This year could be more of the same. Delonte Morton, a 260-pound bruiser who is committed to Maryland, and transfer Jacob Siwicki form a dominant duo. And the line, bred to play smash-mouth football, is led by Rivals.com five-star candidate Cyrus Kouandjio and Kelby Johnson, who is already committed to Maryland.

"Our ground game is always solid and we have a great line as always," Uherek said. "But our receiving core is loaded with guys, too."

That means Uherek will have plenty of targets to hit. Returning starter Ryan Burbrink (25 catches, 438 yards) combines with outside speedsters Jesstin Hamm and Jordan Lomax. Not to mention DeMatha's big, hulking tight end Sam Collura (committed to Pittsburgh), who is a major threat in the passing game.

If Uherek shows off his cannon arm and develops a solid rapport with those wide outs this offseason, it's possible he'll be bringing an aerial assault - from time to time -- to Hyattsville. It's too early to talk game plans, but McGregor admitted he likes Uherek's makeup.

"He is big, strong and fast," McGregor said. "I think that he is going to have a very good year throwing the football."

Uherek's rifle right arm will undoubtedly be on full display this fall, but he's already been showcasing it this spring. It turns out DeMatha's starting quarterback is also one heck of a starting pitcher. The Stags' ace led the team to the WCAC championship game back in May. In fact, schools like Virginia, Mississippi and

Louisville have all shown interest in him as a pitcher.

"I actually went to Huntingtown High for one semester before transferring to DeMatha, where I was recruited as a baseball player," Uherek said.

Uherek has thrived on the mound, but in his sophomore year he tried out for football in the fall. Suddenly, he found a new use for his throwing arm. Now, he openly admits football is his main game.

"I tried out for football and never looked back," Uherek said. "I'm actually happy that baseball is over now so I can get in the weight room and concentrate on football."

Perhaps one reason he's taken to football is it's in his blood. Uherek's uncle played a year for the Dallas Cowboys and his father had a tryout scheduled with the Chicago Bears before he went into the Navy.

"I'm from a football family," Uherek said.

Ironically, his father and uncle are not the two family members he looks up to. It turns out he has another relative whom he considers a hero. Uherek has never met his great, great uncle, whom he was named after, but evidently Uncle Nikolay was a World War ll veteran who died in the battle of Normandy. That's left quite an impression on Uherek.

"My family on my dad's side was originally from the old Soviet Union," Uherek explained. "However

my great, great uncle, who was an American citizen, fought and died for our the U.S. When I go to visit my grandmother in Pittsburgh I see all of the old black-and-white pictures of him in his military uniform. It's really neat. The family is so proud of him."

Being from Russia and the old Soviet Union has raised a few eyebrows and tangled more than a few tongues. Sometimes people even refer to Uherek as "the quarterback with the Russian name" just so they won't butcher the pronunciation. Uherek doesn't mind, however. He actually finds it rather funny.

"Some people recognize me as the quarterback with the Russian name, but I just laugh -- it's ok with me," Uherek said. "But my mother wants people to recognize me as Nikolay. Maybe if we win the WCAC this year, I will be known as 'Nikolay: the good quarterback with the Russian name who led his

team to the WCAC Championship.'"

It's certainly not a farfetched idea. At offseason camps and combines, Uherek has looked the part of a potential big-time prospect. One Rivals analyst noted that he had great zip on his passes, superior arm strength and exceptional touch. Plus, at 6-2, 195, he has the size many upper-level programs desire.

All he needs now is the opportunity to take that Mercedes-Benz-of-an-offense for a test drive. Then he can show people that he is indeed "Nikolay: a good quarterback, with the Russian name."