Rodriguez, special plays help 4-0 Hewlett win big

Around the time that Gabe Rodriguez - small but powerful outside linebacker, not prone to fits of scoring - cut across the inside and intercepted a pass at Division's 32-yard line, it was clear that Hewlett's lore had grown just a little bit bigger in that past hour.

He scored, by the way, as if there was any question. In only four games, the Bulldogs have built a reputation: They put points on the board, a lot of them, and in any which way.

Hewlett beat Division, 46-7, Friday night in Levittown to improve to 4-0. It was another display of strength that, for now, has given the Bulldogs prime real estate atop the Nassau Conference III standings.

But lest anyone think Hewlett - which has outscored opponents by a whopping 129 points (150-21) - was getting predictable in its dominance, the Bulldogs mixed it up a bit in the early going.

Division (1-3) started out strong, but seemed to come apart after a bad snap on a punt attempt skittered into the end zone for a safety with 1:41 left in the first quarter.

The Bulldogs led 9-0 at the end of the first quarter and piled on in the second, building a 32-0 halftime lead with some special plays. Hewlett scored on another bad snap into the end zone; a few minutes and a touchdown later, Jefferson Agudelo recovered a blocked punt in the end zone to make it 26-0. Rodriguez's INT for a TD capped the first-half onslaught.

"We mix it up," Agudelo said. "They work hard in practice . . . if you show it in practice, it shows in the games."

So far, the formula has been Alex Kahn (TD passes of 20 and 40 yards and a TD run of 38), who runs the triple-option, plus a bruising offensive line. Still, Hewlett showed it's nothing if not adaptable.

Division scored with 10:10 left on John Muller's 9-yard scramble. The seven points matched the highest total a Hewlett opponent has scored this season. It's hard to lose when you're not allowing opponents to score and Agudelo, a defensive end who's been as much a part of that as anyone, said the team is confident. "If we do what we have to do," he said, "there's no doubt in my mind we can win it all."

If Friday night proved anything, it was that yes, Hewlett can win - any which way.