When the high school football season began in earnest with preseason practices and scrimmages in August, North Bergen senior Sergio Rodriguez was a tight end for the Bruins.
Although Rodriguez was a quarterback for most of his tenure with the North Bergen grid program, he accepted his fate as a blocker and part-time receiver.
“I was fine being a tight end,” Rodriguez said. “I was fine blocking for the backs and we had a lot of good backs. I didn’t play a lot last year at quarterback. I hurt my hand and was moved to tight end. I figured that’s where I would play.”
But veteran coaching legend Vince Ascolese always had in the back of his mind that Rodriguez could play quarterback if needed.
“He was always a quarterback for us,” Ascolese said of Rodriguez. “He was our JV [junior varsity] quarterback last year and played some varsity quarterback as a sophomore. He had some game experience at quarterback. We moved him to tight end, because we felt he helped us better there.”
Danny Melian was the Bruins’ starter at quarterback to begin the 2011 season. Melian was a junior, had more height and had a little more promise than Rodriguez.
“Sergio took it well,” Ascolese said. “He knew his role.”
“I was fine with that,” Rodriguez said. “I’d do whatever it takes to help the team.”
A few weeks ago, when the Bruins faced St. Peter’s Prep, Melian went down with a foot injury. It left the door open for Rodriguez’s return to calling the signals.
“I felt a little bit rusty back there, but I knew I could do the job,” Rodriguez said. “I just went back there and did the usual. I knew the plays. I just was converted back to quarterback.”
Rodriguez played at quarterback when the Bruins defeated Memorial, but last Friday night, the Bruins had a stern test when they faced undefeated Bayonne, who had won all four of their games this season.
The Bruins were 2-2 and staring at the possibility of not making the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 1, Group IV playoffs.
“We really needed the win,” Rodriguez said. “We knew it was a very big game for us.”
But Rodriguez didn’t feel any added pressure.
“I felt more comfortable,” Rodriguez said. “I felt calmer. I wanted to get the chance to throw the ball more.”
Ascolese had faith in his impromptu signal caller.
“He’s a leader,” Ascolese said. “He’s a straight A student, a very bright kid. I didn’t have a hint of apprehension that he couldn’t do the job. He took the ball and went with it. He’s in total control.”
Rodriguez completed 6-of-9 passes for 120 yards, including two sensational touchdown passes to Debray Tavarez.
But in the fourth quarter, Rodriguez put his own personal seal on the game, when he returned an interception 28 yards for the touchdown that sealed the Bruins’ big 28-13 win over Bayonne, dropping the surprising Bees from the ranks of the undefeated.
For his efforts, Rodriguez has been selected as The Hudson Reporter Athlete of the Week for the past week.
Rodriguez, who was playing inside linebacker at the time of his interception, said he just made a smart football play.
“We always practice to hit the sideline on an interception, then go for the end zone,” Rodriguez said. “I just received some good blocks, kept going and took it in.”
“I’m very happy for him,” Ascolese said. “He’s a great kid and a hard worker. He’s a team player all the way. He deserved to have a game like this. That interception sealed the deal. He dropped back into coverage, made the read, got the ball and was gone. He stepped up and led us in a big way.”
One thing is for sure: Rodriguez will be at quarterback this weekend when the Bruins face Ferris.
“Serge is the quarterback, no question,” Ascolese said. “He deserves that. He has total control now. He’s our leader. He’s a very humble kid, but he’s a team player and that’s exactly what you want.”
“I love that,” Rodriguez said. “I have to look like it’s my job now. He [Melian] will have to earn it back. I like winning. I want to keep winning.”
Rodriguez is beginning to think about college, but it could be that football won’t be a part of his post-high school days.
“I want to go to Penn State for my education,” Rodriguez said. “I always wanted to become an orthopedic surgeon. I’m writing my college essay now, so I’m getting ready.”
So the former blocking tight end is now the main cog of the Bruins’ offense. That’s some turnaround.
“Things do change in a hurry, don’t they?” Rodriguez said.
Sure do. –Jim Hague
Jim Hague can be reached at OGSMAR@aol.com.