The most impressive thing about Mount Airy running back Andy Temoney isn’t his 1,000-plus yards, all the touchdowns or his shifty — yet powerful — running style. In fact, the best thing about Temoney is exemplified by how he didn’t play last year.

“The most important thing about him is he waited his time and did it in a quality manner,” Mount Airy coach Kelly Holder said. “In other words, he wasn’t griping and moaning the whole time when he knew he was very good and had a player in front of him who was D-I caliber. That’s the best thing about him. Then you go back talking about his skills, of which he has many.”

In Temoney’s estimation, the humble attitude and work ethic he showed last season directly correlates to his success this year. While watching last year’s starter, Michael Dobson, now at East Carolina, Temoney was able to learn more about running the football and the Mount Airy offense.

“By watching him run, I learned when to cut it up, when to make a move, when to turn it on and when not to,” Temoney, who is also an excellent defensive back, said. “The most important thing I learned from him is following blockers.”

When Dobson went down with an ankle injury and missed a few games midseason, Temoney filled in nicely, helping keep the Granite Bears undefeated en route to the 2008 state championship. With a couple games as a starter under his belt, Temoney said he was more prepared to begin this season, which is turning out a lot like last year for undefeated Mount Airy.

“I think I was more in tune with the offense,” he said. “Sitting behind somebody will keep you level-headed, so once you’re in the limelight you know how to act.”

Coming off the bench last season didn’t hurt Temoney’s stock, either. He said he has offers to play at a couple schools, although he has no plans on making a decision any time soon. In his typically calm and well-thought demeanor, Temoney said the most important thing to him is getting an education.

“I just want to do something where I can better myself in life,” he said. “If I can do that and play football, that’s icing on the cake.”

At 5-foot-6, 150 pounds, Temoney isn’t a big back, but he plays like one. Holder pointed out that he ran Temoney between the tackles against powerful Thomasville earlier this season to get the win. He knew Temoney would get the job done.

“He’s a football player, meaning he don’t mind hitting and don’t mind being hit,” Holder said. “He’s got that low center of gravity and some pretty good legs.”

Anyone that knows Temoney well calls him by his nickname, Boo.

“I’ve never called him Andy,” Holder said. “He’s always been Boo to me.”

The origin of the name dates back to when Temoney was born.

“My family, once you’re born they give you a nickname,” he said, “and you just stick with it until you get older.”

And what does he think of friends, coaches and newspapers calling him Boo?

“I like it,” he said. “I think it’s all right.”

After biding his time, Boo and the rest of the Granite Bears are riding high as they defend their title. Since he’s been so selfless during his career, Temoney figures it’s all right to have just one personal goal.

“We’re focusing on a ring,” he said, as in a state championship ring. “I want one my senior year, that’s what means the most. And when I’m starting.”

Contact Ed Phillipps at ephillipps@mtairynews.com or 719-1921.