Raul Dominguez Jr. Express-News Staff Writer
Publication: San Antonio Express-News
Date: December 22, 1991
Page: 15D
As the weeks of the 1991 football season passed, it became obvious Anthony Holmes of Marshall was one of the most talented players in the area. And as his season closed on Saturday, with Marshall bowing to Odessa Permian, 27-14, in the regular 5A state championship, Holmes stood out as the Greater San Antonio Offensive Player of the Year.
Each time Holmes touched the ball, he added to what would become an impressive season statistically. The 5-foot-10, 170-pound tailback finished the season with 2,053 yards and 26 touchdowns on 252 attempts. He averaged 171.1 yards in 12 games.
Most people were awed by Holmes’ talent, but more would be impressed by his actions off the field.
Holmes never bragged about his accomplishments. In fact, he rarely talks about himself, even when the question calls for him to. He prefers talking about his teammates, family or his love of God.
“He is very quiet. He likes to keep to himself,” Marshall coach David Visentine said. “He really doesn’t like to talk to the media. He’ll tell me ‘Coach I don’t want to talk to him.’ It embarrasses him to talk about himself. He’s never been rude to anyone though.”
Although blitzed by the media all season, Holmes’ outlook on life remained constant. Whether he was rushing for a season-high 253 yards against Edison, or a season-low 47 yards against Houston Aldine, Holmes began each game with a Bible in his hands.
“Everytime before we leave the locker room, he reads his Bible,” Visentine said. “He’s very strong spiritually. He sets a good example for the other players.” Holmes’ mother, Norma Morris, said her son has always acknowledged that his talent is God-given.
“He knows who is blessing him,” Morris said. “He acknowledges that the Lord has given him all his talent. Not acknowledging that would not be what the Lord wants him to do.” It was in church that a then 9-year-old Holmes was first told he would do well in football.
“We were in church and the minister looked at Anthony and said one day he would be able to play football very well,” Morris said.
Morris said the minister, Ronald Smith of Greater Lincoln Park Temple, never could explain why he said that, but it left a lasting impression on Holmes.
To this day, Holmes first thanks God before beginning any post-game interview. “It is a very big part of my life,” Holmes said. “I was brought up with the Lord.” He also was brought up to thank others around him, especially this season. “All the credit always came back to them (his teammates),” Holmes said. “Our team does a good job. I give the credit to the other 10 guys. Without them all this couldn’t be possible.”
Holmes’ season began explosively, picking up 1,150 yards in his first six games. There was speculation that Holmes would break the Class 5A single-season rushing record of 2,800 set by Judson’s Chris Pryor in 1983. “I really didn’t think about it until the Holmes game,” Holmes said. “My dad (Herman Morris), was taping the game and he said there was Chris Pryor standing on the sidelines. He told me, he’s the one who has the rushing record. I didn’t really think about it, we just talked about it and I just said ‘hmmm.’ ” His run at the record was stopped when he suffered a deep thigh bruise against Holmes.
Even without the record, Visentine still ranks his senior tailback as one of the best. “He’s the best running back I have ever coached,” Visentine said. “He is exceptionally strong for his size. He has good speed. A great knack of seeing the entire field.”
Holmes used those abilities in posting several impressive runs this season, but none seem to impress him.
“It doesn’t faze him,” Morris said. “I get more excited than he does. I’ll tell him let’s go look at this play or that play and he’ll just say, ‘OK.’ He gets more excited watching his teammates.”
His performance has excited others though. Anthony Holmes is being recruited by TCU, SMU, Texas, Baylor, Houston, Oklahoma, Iowa and Pittsburgh, among others.
