Rodriguez gives Cache toughness at RB position

Over the many years of writing sports, often coaches have related stories about athletes who might not have had all the physical attributes of some players, however, they still managed to aid their team in the ultimate goal; to win games.

Throw Michael Rodriguez into that category. The senior stands 5-6, 180 pounds but is as stout as most bigger players and he loves to compete.

“I’m pretty well conditioned and I blend in with the linemen,” the senior said Thursday before practice. “My sophomore year Coach Griffin (former Cache head coach) told me they were moving me to running back because they wanted me to run hard and low. Now that I’ve had a chance to run the ball it was enjoyable.”

Last week against Duncan, Rodriguez carried the ball 22 times for 101 yards and had some clutch carries in key situations.

“That was a tough loss to Duncan,” he said. “When we looked back at the video, we realized what we did wrong, and we’ve been working to correct those things this week. We had a couple of turnovers and some bad penalties, so we’ve been trying to correct those things before this week’s game. We are still very upbeat.”

This week’s game is at Altus Friday night and Cache is eager to earn that first victory of the season.

“We have watched a good deal of video, and they run a 4-3 stack defense, and they are pretty big up front,” Rodriguez said. “Their linebackers aren’t huge. However, they seem pretty good. I think we just need to execute and move the ball like we did at times against Duncan. If our guys sustain blocks, that will be very important against Altus.”

Rodriguez has been at Cache since the eighth grade when his mom was transferred to Fort Sill. While he might follow mom’s path to the military, his dream job is much different.

“Right now, I’ve gotten all my high school courses done and am taking three college courses; micro-economics, Principles of Communication and Algebra,” he said. “My goal is to become a commercial airline pilot. I have flown quite a bit by myself to go visit my dad who is states away and it’s been great; I love flying.”

When it comes filling his energy level with good food, the protein comes from a medium-rare steak, potatoes and broccoli or some other veggie.

One thing Rodriguez was quick to talk about was how first-year head coach Tanner Thompson is handling the program.

“I think he’s a great example of somebody who was willing to work hard and be a leader,” Rodriguez said. “He listens to his players and he will admit when he’s wrong. He is all about getting us all to be faster and we all are working to do just that.”

While the Bulldogs still have Altus tonight and Sulphur next week in non-district contests, Cache makes the long drive to Elk City on Sept. 27 to open district action.

“I really think we can compete in that district,” Rodriguez said. “I think that Elgin is the favorite and Clinton, Weatherford, Elk City and Cache are probably going to be fighting for the other three playoff spots. I think we’re going to be in the mix.

“Those teams are physical; they love to run the ball. I think we can have an offense that has finesse and if we can throw the ball and run it equally well, our chances would improve.”