Editor’s note: This is a quarterback series highlighting of some of the top returning signal callers across the Texas Panhandle leading up to the kickoff of the regular season.
Ever since his freshman year of high school, Hereford senior quarterback Kalub Ramirez has been cherishing the moment.
By putting in the hard work and appreciating his time on the football field and on the baseball diamond, Ramirez’s future is crystal clear. Next fall, he will take his talents to Austin to play baseball for the University of Texas.
At this particular moment, though, he’s soaking in his senior campaign with the Hereford High School football team. After all, it’s his final time being around those who also don the maroon and white of the Whitefaces.
“It’s a blessing,” Ramirez said of playing for the Hostile Herd one last time and becoming a future Longhorn.
Even though he stands 5-feet-10 inches, Ramirez is a bona fide gunslinger. As he should, going into his third season under center.
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Last year, Ramirez amassed 2,105 total yards and 15 touchdowns in 146 completions. He also averaged 191.4 yards per game, with a quarterback rating of 100.5. On the ground, Ramirez rushed for six more touchdowns.
It was a solid season for Hereford in 2024, putting together an 8-4 overall record with a 3-2 tally within District 2-4A, Division I. The Hostile Herd finished 2024 with an area round appearance.
It’s been a path of continuous improvement under fifth-year head coach Adam Naron, who built up Hereford from a 1-9 record in 2022 to last year’s strong mark. This season will be a challenge for Naron and his staff, who will see plenty of newcomers take up crucial roles on offense and defense.
The one position that Naron isn’t worried about is quarterback, as Ramirez has that role covered.
“Kalub came in as a freshman, and we kind of brought him along,” Naron said. “Halfway through that season, he jumped into the starting role and really took off. He’s put up some big numbers. He does a lot with his arm and his feet, and he’s a super sharp kid. He’s a leader for our football team.”
“His goal is to be a baseball player,” added Naron. “That’s one of his passions, but he loves football. He’s a competitor on the football field. A lot of times, you don’t see that with guys who are so deeply committed to another sport. We’re just so excited to have him.”
Over the course of his tenure, Kalub has compiled 4,557 yards and 41 touchdowns. He’s only tossed 13 interceptions.
Ramirez credits football as a factor in forging him into a solid baseball prospect.
“It keeps me in shape, honestly,” said Ramirez. “Some guys who are committed to (NCAA Division I) baseball usually just stick to one sport. Football keeps me in shape, keeps my arm strong.”
His dream to play baseball started when he was eight years old. Then, it grew into playing travel ball and eventually, getting noticed by the Longhorns.
“It all started by just playing summer ball out of town to places like Houston and Florida,” Ramirez said. “It was always travel ball, and then I ended up getting offered in my freshman year. It was all just from summer ball, busting my butt off and competing at the highest level.”
Being a multi-sport athlete has its benefits.
According to Naron, playing several sports offers more than just maintaining muscle and preventing injuries. To the head coach, it’s a great way to be an ambassador for the community.
“We encourage all of our kids to play multiple sports,” Naron said. “If they’re a dude, they’re going to play multiple sports. If they’re an athlete for us, they’re going to represent the community in multiple ways.”
“It’s a big thing for our community too, because they want to come out and see the best out of the kids we’ve got on the field on Friday nights. They also want to see them in the gym, on the baseball diamond or running the track. It means a lot for our kids to represent our community in a lot of different ways.”
In his spare time, Ramirez considers himself a gamer. According to the senior, it enhances his craft — especially in the teamwork aspect of the games he takes up.
One of his favorite video games is Call of Duty Warzone.
“I could go days without gaming, still hop on and still be pretty good,” Ramirez said. “(Warzone) is at its peak with Rebirth Island. I like playing games, but I don’t like playing just by myself. Being able to talk and communicate in the game is pretty awesome.”
The road back to the postseason won’t be a cakewalk for the Herd.
Following Hereford’s season opener against Lubbock High on Thursday, Sept. 28, at Lowery Field at PlainsCapital Park in Lubbock, they face Lubbock Estacado for their home opener on Sept. 5 at Whiteface Stadium. The Herd then finishes the non-district slate with a home game against Plainview (Sept. 12), a road trip to Perryton (Sept. 19) and a showdown with Seminole at home (Oct. 13).
Then, it’s the District 2-4A Division I gauntlet of Pampa, Randall, Dumas, Canyon and West Plains. Within that league slate, Ramirez will match up against other great quarterbacks in Randall’s Kaison Benton, Dumas’ Colton Mills and West Plains’ Reid Macon.
He’s looking forward to those challenges. However, he knows that he can’t do it all alone.
“The goal is to keep up with (the other QBs),” Ramirez said. “But you got to have the guys around you. So, it starts early in the summer — getting them out here, getting that bonding and that chemistry going. You’re only as strong as your weakest link. By having a strong team, where everyone revolves around everyone, great things happen.”
“This team is young,” Ramirez said. “But just seeing them out there over the past several days, it’s been pretty awesome to see what we have. I’m just excited to get into district and compete for a district championship.”
With Ramirez set to throw the ball all over the yard, Naron wants his quarterback to succeed on the field and long after the season is over.
“We hope he has a great season,” Naron said. “We hope that he continues to lead for us, and then, once football’s over, we’re excited to see what he does for baseball season and at the University of Texas.”