PLANO – Like the citizens of Metropolis, it seems everyone around the Plano athletic program has a Superman story.

In this case, "Superman" is junior running back Rex Burkhead, whose athletic feats have helped Plano reach Saturday's Class 5A Division I state semifinal against Euless Trinity.

The Burkhead stories go back to elementary school when he was an athletic prodigy. There's the one about when he threw a 50-yard touchdown pass as a seventh-grader. Or when he dunked a basketball as a 5-8 freshman-to-be.

Burkhead's exploits this season earned him the nickname "Superman" from a couple of local sportswriters. No one expects Burkhead to leap tall buildings in a single bound, but there's enough of a correlation to the Man of Steel that the Superman tag has stuck.

"He just seems invincible," said teammate Kris Lott, one of Burkhead's oldest friends. "I don't think I've ever seen Rex sneeze in his life."

A week ago, one of Burkhead's teachers gave him a T-shirt with the Superman logo on the front and his jersey number, 20, on the back. He appreciated the gift but said he's too embarrassed to wear it.

"Since everyone calls me that, I don't know how people would take it," Burkhead said. "I'll probably just wear it around the house."

In last week's playoff game against Skyline, Burkhead did everything but wear a cape. He scored touchdowns running, passing and returning a punt. Burkhead has also played quarterback and free safety, which is why he thinks the Superman label has stuck.

Burkhead can also do a lot on the basketball court. As a freshman, he was part of the eight-man rotation on Plano's 2006 state champion basketball team.

"I wasn't really a major contributor," Burkhead said. "I was just John-John's [current Texas Tech point guard John Roberson's] tool to mess with in practice."

High surprise

Plano basketball coach Tom Inman remembers Burkhead coming up to the gym to work out before his freshman season. Inman's jaw dropped when he saw Burkhead, about 5-8 at the time, throw down a rim-rattling dunk.

"I remember turning to someone and saying, 'Somebody just got cut.' " Inman said.

Inman said the Superman nickname fits not just because of Burkhead's athletic feats, but also because of his humble, Clark Kent-like demeanor.

"It's a combination of amazing athletic ability and amazing humility that makes people gravitate toward him," Inman said.

Plano football coach Gerald Brence said Burkhead, who's now 5-11 and 195 pounds, is as smart on the football field as he is fast and strong. Brence said Burkhead could play any position, but it's how Burkhead handles the position of sports hero that impresses him the most.

"Of all the players that have come through Plano since I've been here, he's gotten more attention, and he just handles it so well," Brence said. "That's not easy for anybody, much less a 17-year-old kid."

Brence credits Burkhead's parents, Rick and Robyn Burkhead. Rick was a fullback at Eastern Kentucky and a late training camp cut with the Philadelphia Eagles and Miami Dolphins.

The Burkheads – Rick works for the FBI and Robyn is a fourth-grade teacher – met as youngsters when they played coed basketball against each other. They have an older son, Ryan, who is a defensive end at Harvard.

Rick and Robyn Burkhead knew Rex was destined to be an athlete when, as a toddler, he would flip through the pages of Sports Illustrated and say "ball!" when he saw a football or basketball in a photograph.

As a 4-year-old, Rex insisted on practicing with the 9-12 age group football team his father coached.

"He just freaked out and had to have pads and everything," Rick Burkhead said. "He's just always been that way, really competitive."

Sports hangout

Burkhead's Fortress of Solitude is his bedroom, which is covered – walls and ceiling – with pictures of sports stars.

His favorite athlete is former NFL running back Barry Sanders, who also wore No. 20.

He also has a couple of paper mache creations from an art class he took last year. One is a bust of Saints running back Reggie Bush. The other is an action pose of Dash – one of the superheroes from the animated film The Incredibles.

Speaking of superheroes: Superman isn't his favorite.

"I'm actually more of a Batman fan," Burkhead said. "I like how he seems like he's the ultimate tough guy."

Hanging over his doorway is a list of workout goals. He said he changes them each summer. This year's goals were to bench press 300 pounds (he's up to 315), run the 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds (he's at 4.53) and do a 37-inch vertical jump (he's reached 36).

Burkhead acknowledges that he's always been a little different from most kids.

"Ever since I was little, it seemed like I had more athletic abilities than most other kids," Burkhead said. "That's why I always wanted to play with older kids. They seemed more into football than the kids my age."

That's as close as Burkhead comes to boasting.

"I've never heard him brag once, unless it was about a video game," said longtime friend Reid Lyness.

However, there is one thing Burkhead's friends say he doesn't do well.

"He is not a good driver," Lott said. "He drives really, really slow."

"He drives like an old lady," Lyness said. "But he runs like a beast."

Class 5A Division I state semifinals: Euless Trinity (13-1) vs. Plano (13-1), 7 p.m. Saturday, Texas Stadium (KDKR-FM 91.3, KVCE-AM 1160)

Plus ...

• One punt return for a TD

• One 2-point conversion

Superman's favorites:

Player: Barry Sanders

"That's why I wear No. 20"

TV show: SportsCenter

Cereal: Lucky Charms

Car: Lamborghini

Football team: Cowboys

Musical Group: Linkin Park

Movie: 300

Superhero: Batman