Marcus Bourda Jr is a three-year starter who made his mark three different ways Thursday night in Humble’s latest victory.
The junior is a safety by trade, but he barely left the Stallworth Stadium field turf at all as the Wildcats earned a big District 23-6A victory over Goose Creek Memorial.
Bourda led the Wildcats in receiving, intercepted a pass on defense and was difficult to stop on punt returns in the 35-7 win.
“He does it all for us,” Humble head coach Robert Murphy said Thursday night. “He’s not a one-trick pony.”
Bourda got the Wildcats (5-4, 2-4) on the board with a 13-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter. Senior quarterback Tristian Bernard put the ball on the mark as Bourda ran and slant and then spun into the end zone. It was Bourda’s first touchdown reception since Week 1 against Tomball Memorial. He totaled three catches for a season-high 43 yards.
In the second quarter, Bourda fielded a punt at the 10 on the near sideline before turning up diagonally to the far side line for over 40 of his 68 punt return yards on the night.
And in the third quarter, Bourda high-pointed the ball on a double-covered GCM wide receiver for his second interception of the year. His first came against Klein Forest in Week 2.
Not including Thursday’s game, Bourda has 36 tackles on the season on defense. On offense, Bourda had 128 receiving yards. And on special teams, he has 135 kick return yards and 100 punt return yards.
“He’s a special kid,” Murphy said. “He’s been starting for me since he was a freshman.”
Bourda has 153 tackles in his varsity career, three interceptions and two fumble recoveries.
In many ways, Bourda simply optimizes what Humble football is all about.
“We lose a lot of our kids from feeder schools,” Murphy said. “He’s one of the kids that trust the process and came here.”
Murphy praised Bourda for his leadership skills with a dynamic personality. As fierce of a competitor he is on the field, Bourda is always engaging and has a smile when the helmet is off.
“He’s like the biggest encourager when it comes to his teammates out there,” Murphy said. “It’s good to have him out there. He’s a veteran, he’s a three-year starter. It’s good to see him affect the game in all three phases.”
Recruitment will likely tick up for Bourda now that his junior year is in the final chapters. Bourda has put a lot on film and has five college offers according to On3 Sports.
“I’m just excited for him,” Murphy said. “He holds offers from SMU, Oregon State and he’s got more coming.”
Humble junior Marcus Bourda Jr intercepts a pass in the third quarter against Goose Creek Memorial on October 31, 2024. (Chris Zorzi/SportCast Media)
