Former Placer star Edwards played hard; now he's an Athletic Hall of Famer

The senior quote in his high school yearbook said, "Life — Live it, Learn it, Enjoy it, and Play Hard." Mike Edwards (class of 1993) has done just that at Placer High School and beyond, playing hard on football fields from Auburn to Nevada and Berlin. For his performance on the basketball court and football field in high school and his gridiron exploits afterward, Edwards will be inducted into the PHS Athletic Hall of Fame on April 29 in a ceremony in the school's iconic Earl Crabbe Gym. Edwards lettered in three sports at Placer — soccer, basketball and football. He played soccer in his freshman and sophomore years then switched to other sports. The 6-foot-6, 265-pounder was a force under the boards on the basketball court, teaming up with another PHS Athletic Hall of Famer, Jimmy Carroll, to capture the Sierra Foothill League championship with an 11-1 record in his senior season. Edwards was named to the all-league team. "I loved playing in the Earl Crabbe Gym," he recounted. "Other teams were intimidated by the atmosphere." But it was in football that Edwards would carve out a name for himself, although he came into the sport late. "I only began playing football in my sophomore year," he said. "I was a soccer guy. I didn't even know how to put the pads on." Edwards credits his line coach at Placer, Dennis Murphy, with teaching him everything. "I learned the basics from him," Edwars said. He recalled practices were intense and he was nervous playing varsity. But he proved himself and was invited to play for the North in the Optimist All-Star Game as a senior. Upon graduating from Placer, Edwards received a full-ride scholarship to play football for Nevada. He grew to 6-8 and 305 pounds and started every game in his final two years. He played left tackle for a high-powered offense that finished No. 1 in the nation in scoring. Edwards is especially proud he was named team captain in his junior and senior years and earned first-team, All-Big West Conference honors both seasons. "Playing in Reno could be interesting, depending on the weather," he said, recalling one game at UNR stadium that started in sunshine, was cloudy by the second quarter and snowed four to five inches in the second half. There weren't many fans remaining by the end of the game, but he was proud to see his parents, Fred and Carol Edwards, still there at the final gun. His play caught the eye of the college football world and he was selected to play in the traditional Blue-Grey college all-star game in Mobile, Alabama, on Christmas Day. There, he found himself playing against the best of the best in the country. "Practice was intense and everyone was showing off their stuff to the coaches and scouts," he said. Following college, Edwards was picked up as a free agent by the Atlanta Falcons. He was cut but was picked up by NFL Europe and played a season for the Berlin Thunderbolts. "It was amazing," he said. "I got to play football, travel a lot, see the sights of Europe, explore and learn a lot of history." The following year, Edwards had tryouts with the Washington Redskins and Oakland Raiders but returned to NFL Europe to continue playing with Berlin. He finished his professional football career playing in the XFL for the Birmingham Bolts. "Pretty electrifying, eh?" he joked, "playing for the Thunderbolts and the Bolts." After football, Edwards earned a teaching degree and got a job as a science teacher at Reno High School, where for the past 16 years he has served as a teacher, coach and dean of students. He is currently the athletic director. Edwards coached freshman basketball and was offensive line coach for the football team that won the 4-A state championship in 2003. He also has coached the golf team for the past 16 years, although he admits it hasn't improved his game. As if being athletic director isn't enough to keep him busy, Edwards continues to participate in two other football-related gigs. He has teamed up with Jim Houser, a coach of 40 years experience, to create Big Man Basics, a company that teaches line skills, blocking schemes and pass rush techniques to Reno-area players. Edwards also found a home in stadium press boxes for the past six years, covering Wolf Pack football games on radio as the color commentator, which he really loves. "I get to travel with the team and get to know the players and the coaches," he said. Edwards and his wife Crystal have a son Kane, 11, and daughter Bianca, 8. The Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony will begin with a reception at 6 p.m., followed by the induction at 7. Tickets for the reception cost $25 until April 15 and $35 after and are available online at available online at https://placerathletics.bpt.me. The ceremony is free of charge to the public.