Rodriguez gives a gutsy performance against Valencia

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I can’t believe the performance Saugus QB Desi Rodriguez gave in the Centurions’ 34-19 victory over Valencia on Friday.

The guy had 171 yards rushing, with a big chunk of that coming on a 78-yard TD run in the first quarter, and played almost the entire second half despite injuring his left wrist on one of the first plays of the third quarter.

Rodriguez told me after the game his wrist was fine, just a little sore, and that he actually injured it last week against St. Francis. Still, I didn’t think going into this contest that anyone other than RB Ryan Zirbel would be the star of the game.

‘He’s one of those kids you’re going to have to drag out of the game before he’ll take it easy,’ Saugus Coach Jason Bornn said. ‘He’s a competitor ... We just give him the ball and let him do his thing.’

Of course, Rodriguez was just pleased the Centurions came away with an important victory. From my brief, postgame conversation with him, I judge he doesn’t like to focus the attention on himself too much.

‘I’m really happy and everyone played great tonight,’ Rodriguez said. ‘We have a great O-line, a great coaching staff and a great defense ... and it showed out there.’

(Above is a photo of Rodriguez getting a high-five from OL Justin Wells...oh, a I want to say thanks to Grant Marek for his help on the stats. That’s two times this season!)

- Austin Knoblauch