Reading QB Murphy has gleam, leads team
READING — Reading High School football coach John Fiore went with an interesting reference when discussing what it was like to make James Murphy his starter when the quarterback was a freshman two years ago.
“Sometimes a talented kid isn’t quite ready,” said Fiore after practice Tuesday. “He’s got to take the time. (Legendary coach of Natick and other programs) Tom Lamb used to talk about, ‘Find the kid with the gleam in his eye.’ That’s (Murphy).”
Now everyone else’s eyes are fixated on Murphy, who has blossomed into one of the best quarterbacks in the state. The 6-foot5, 195-pound junior has a cannon arm but is also accurate. He’s a big reason why the Rockets are 2-0 heading into this weekend’s trip to tackle 2-0 Danvers.
For the season, Murphy has completed 43-of-66 passes (65 percent) for 564 yards, five touchdowns, and no interceptions. Those are terrific numbers, but Murphy is not caught up on stats. When asked where he’s improved the most in the last few years, he chose an intangible.
“I’d say being a better teammate, being a better leader,” Murphy said. “That’s what I try and do every day, which is be the best teammate that I can and lead my guys out on the field.”
Murphy’s father had a tremendous career both at Reading and at Northeastern University (back when the Huskies had a football program). Obviously, living up to that standard can be difficult. But Murphy has probably exceeded those high expectations, and he is thankful for his father’s guidance.
“He’s been a huge influence in my life,” Murphy said. “He always tells me to relax, be calm, be myself. He helps me study before games. We watch film together. We go over plays, any questions I have. He’s a really smart guy, and he knows football. He knows life, too. So he teaches me about football, but also teaches me about life.”
On the field, Murphy has grown, as well.
“He’s an extension of our offensive coordinator, Pat Sheehan, on the field,” Fiore said. “He’s obviously a hard-working kid with the team. He’s playing scout quarterback. Jumping in on the scout punt team and stuff like that. All those little things to be a teammate and do more than just what’s asked of him on game night, and that’s what all the other kids have always done, and what he does, too.”
“I love it,” Murphy said of the offense. “I love what coach Sheehan does. He gives me control of the plays. He puts me in a really good spot to get the ball to my teammates.”
Reading is one of the premier programs in the state, so high hopes aren’t just placed on Murphy, but the team. The Rockets had a good Fall II, but, like everyone else, were unable to compete for a state title. If Murphy has any say in the matter, that changes this fall.
“We want to win the Middlesex League again like we did last year. I think that’s a very attainable goal,” Murphy said. “More than that, we want to win a state title. I believe we have the team to do that. The guys have worked really hard. That wasn’t something we had the opportunity to do in Fall II, but that’s top of the list right now.”