Muhlenberg's Nick Lamb is a lion on the gridiron

MUHLENBERG WIDE receiver Nick Lamb's selection as the Centennial Conference offensive player of the week might not seem like a big deal.

But it is, if you know the backstory.

Lamb, a 21-year-old senior majoring in biology, didn't play football in high school. Or as a freshman or sophomore in college.

And yet, he's averaging a team-leading 13.7 yards per reception and has caught a team-high five touchdown passes this season.

Saturday, in the Mules' 41-13 win at Gettysburg, Lamb caught a career-high 11 passes for 138 yards and three touchdowns. Nine of his catches went for first downs.

"This is the first time I've received such an honor, and I'm humbled," said Lamb, who hadn't played football in six years when the joined the team as a walk-on.

Lamb, who went to Masterman Middle School but played football for St. Monica's CYO team, explained that a concussion he suffered as an eighth-grader caused him to shy away from the gridiron when he entered Penn Charter.

"I was holding for an extra point and the defender came off the edge and hit me hard," he said. "That was scary. I went back into the game, but I don't remember anything."

When he got to Penn Charter, he played baseball and basketball, but in hindsight, wished he had gone out for the football team.

"I was a lot smaller back then, about 5 feet tall," said Lamb, who is now 5-10. "I think about it now (playing football) and wish I had. My older brother, Jim, was on the team. Playing with him would have been cool."

At Muhlenberg, he made the baseball team as a walk-on, but didn't get much playing time.

"During winter break of my sophomore year, I emailed the football coach (Mike Donnelly) and asked him about being a walk-on, " Lamb said.

He began his junior season as a backup slotback, but was pressed into action in the first game after the starter was injured.

He's been making up for lost time ever since.