Rodriguez brings great work ethic to MHS gridiron

Versatile junior excels in many sports

By: Shawn Tyrrell
   
   Over the past 15 years there have been several quality football players to grace the field of Ned Panfile Stadium at Manville High School. Some would be remembered as gifted runners who couldn’t be brought down, while others were recognized for their defensive prowess. One athlete who possesses a combination of these qualities is MHS junior Leo Rodriguez.
   Rodriguez is a far cry from being a big physical back, nor is he the most intimidating linebacker to roam the Mustang defensive unit. Yet for those who have watched his progress the last three years, none could question the effort and determination that the 5-foot-7, 175-pounder brings to each game, and the sacrifices he has made.
   Few fans probably know that Rodriguez was a highly-touted soccer player when he came to Manville from Dunellen some five years ago. Somehow the Mustang coaching staff was able to pry Leo from the soccer field and the rest is history. Rodriguez recalled what changed his mind.
   "Actually, it was Coach Steve Gordon who had called and asked me if I wanted to play football," Rodriguez said. "I told him I had never played football before, and his response was ‘We will teach you.’ I tried it my freshman year had success with it, and from that point on I committed myself to playing with everything I had."
   Ironically, the soccer coach called Rodriguez two days later and to his disappointment found out that he had already committed to playing football.
   MHS first-year head football coach Brett Stibitz has enjoyed the privilege of seeing the Rodriguez maturation first hand.
   "Leo is a definite leader both on and off the field," Stibitz said. "He is one of the hardest working players on the team. He is always one of the first ones to practice and one of the last to leave."
   Rodriguez has worked hard to make himself a complete football player.
   "What makes Leo stand out is his work ethic," Stibitz said. "He is not the fastest or strongest but he makes up for it with his heart and agility. Leo gives everything he has on every play. He is a true hard-nosed football player and I wish I had a dozen players like him on the team."
   Stibitz remembered one of his first meetings with Rodriguez back in August of 2003. He was the team’s defensive coordinator at that time and he ran into Leo at a Chicken Holiday. Stibitz saw that the incoming freshman liked chicken and made a deal with him that if Rodriguez ever had 100 yards rushing and a touchdown in a varsity game than he would buy him a bucket of chicken.
   The Manville head coach will need to make good on that promise. In a home victory over South Hunterdon a few games ago, Rodriguez went over the 100-yard mark and scored a touchdown in perhaps the Mustangs’ most complete win of the season.
   Rodriguez took a moment to look back over his many game experiences of the past three years and picked out each a highlight and disappointing moment that stuck out in his mind.
   "Best highlight was the Princeton Day School game," he said. "Even though we lost, defensively we played with great unity that night. We were really hitting. That game we truly came together as a team and played football like we never had before."
   His disappointment was last season’s Thanksgiving Day game against Bound Brook.
   "It was tough losing to them," Rodriguez said. "I really thought we were going to win, but I didn’t play my best game and had a couple of fumbles. It was a tough day all around."
   Of course there is more to Rodriguez than just football. He recently was recognized with several classmates by being inducted as a member of the National Honor Society. Also to go along with this academic achievement comes the possibility that Rodriguez could finish his MHS athletic career with 12 varsity letters, including his participation in football, basketball and track and field.
   Manville can only reap the benefits of having a player like Rodriguez, who continues to shine on both sides of the field and in the classroom as well. Rodriguez gave credit to those who have helped shape him to who he is today.
   "I wouldn’t be here without the coaches and my other teammates, my parents and teachers," he said. "They helped me a lot to get to where I am today. My parents especially instilled in me to give everything I had in whatever I do. For that I give 100 percent no matter what I am doing. It is who I am."
   The Mustangs can be thankful they’ll have Rodriguez for another season.