Odessa High wide receiver Andrew Rodriguez may not stand out as much as teammate Ivan Carreon.
What makes Rodriguez unique, however, is that he is the sole freshman on the Bronchos’ varsity.
Head coach Dusty Ortiz believes that Rodriguez’s timeliness and excellence in class is what enabled the freshman to join the varsity, instead of the freshmen or junior varsity teams.
“For Rodriguez being a freshman and already understanding the importance of going to class, making good grades and coming into practice every day by showing up on time, says a lot about who he is,” Ortiz said. “That’s the main reason he’s had an opportunity to be on varsity.”
Offensive coordinator Creighton Reed saw Rodriguez’s talent in middle school and knew then that the freshman would be a part of the varsity team.
“I remember last year, in the fall on Saturdays, we would go to Crockett Middle School to watch Rodriguez and he just looked like he’s just so far above where most freshmen are at,” Reed said.
Rodriguez said that his diligence going back to the summer football camp with the Bronchos enabled him to catch the coaches’ eyes.
“During the summer, we had camps and I always showed up and put in the work,” Rodriguez said. “(The coaches) just seemed to like how talented I was. I just kept working just to get to a spot on varsity as a freshman.”
Even though Rodriguez is just a freshman, he is not intimidated by his older teammates.
“Being the youngest is a little scary some days, but I already got used to it,” Rodriguez said. “I’ve been taking some big hits in practice, but it’s whatever now.”
“Some of the times, Ivan and I will be joking around, but whenever we get into serious stuff, we had to lock into practice, so we get ready for the week and game day on Fridays.”
Coach Reed said that Rodriguez’s sense of humor makes him “one of the funniest kids on the team.”
Rodriguez agreed with that comment.
“I just try to keep like a good mood throughout the practice,” Rodriguez said. “I like to keep everybody in a good mood, so they can have a good day throughout the practice and I just keep it going throughout the day.”
Being the youngest on the team also comes with learning quite a bit from the older players.
Rodriguez is impressed by sophomore receiver Jalen Warren’s speed and attempts to emulate that in practices.
“I try to keep up with Warren during practice sometimes,” Rodriguez said. “He’s a little dude – he’s fast and can jump really high and makes plays out there on the field, too.”
Rodriguez has also trains with Carreon on weekends, improving his route patterns and the like.
“During the weekend, we come back to OHS to work out, run some routes and just try to win battles against each other.”
Rodriguez’s favorite football skill is ‘Mossing’ defenders – when receivers jump and grab the ball over helpless defender’s heads — in reference to Hall of Fame wide receiver Randy Moss penchant for making highlight-reel catches.
“It’s like one-on-one battles,” Rodriguez said. “You get the one-on-one play – you got to fight for and finish the job.”
Reed appreciates having Rodriguez on the team.
“(Rodriguez) is fun to be around and it’s been fun to coach him and watch him grow up,” Reed proudly said. “He still has a long way to go because he is a freshman, but he’s coming into his own and his gaining more and more confidence by the week.”
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