These guys are coming up big
Five yard touchdown run by Seaford's Alex Rodriguez at the Nassau High School Conference IV Football game with Seaford and Roosevelt. (Oct. 21, 2011) Credit: Patrick E. McCarthy
'I want to give a shout-out to all the small people in the world, all the small people playing sports!'-- Maurice Irby, Freeport's 5-3 running back
Football practice is just ending at Seaford High School, and the Atomic Peanut comes bounding across the field.
The nickname has been warmly bestowed on running back Alex Rodriguez. "Atomic" because Rodriguez's favorite play is called "42 Atomic," a run right up the gut. "Peanut" because, well . . .
At 5-2, 136 pounds, the senior doesn't have the prototypical build for a running back. But take a step back and look at the stats.
He has 349 yards and two touchdowns in six games, the bulk coming after Week 2. He's just one of several talented players on Long Island proving that those who seem undersized might just be undervalued.
"I can squeeze and maneuver through holes that some people probably can't," said Rodriguez, who also has a sack at defensive end. Rodriguez takes an outside route to the quarterback, and if he can beat the running back's block, his speed gives him the ability to pressure the passer.
But Vikings coach Rob Perpall believes there's another factor in Rodriguez's success.
"When a guy is that size, especially with some of the bully mentality that exists, they'll even try to hit him harder, and he's been battling that all his life," Perpall said. "A guy his size is going to do one of two things: either not play or be very good, like him. There will be no in-between."
Rodriguez has transitioned from taking a couple of snaps per game to being an integral part of the Seaford offense. He called an increased workload during a Week 3 game against Locust Valley "a test." He's passed, and now is just looking to graduate to the next level.
"I definitely surprise people, but as the season goes on, it's going to be more obvious that I can do something," he said. "I just got to keep getting better."
Dog days
A 10-minute drive down Sunrise Highway and the Chihuahuas are at work for Freeport. This nickname refers to seniors Maurice Irby (5-3, 130) and Evan Lapice (5-4, 155), key cogs for the defending Long Island Class I champs. Irby and Lapice hoped to be known as the Rottweilers this year, but the other nickname stuck.
"We've stepped it up a lot," said Irby, a running back, receiver and defensive back. "We gained a couple pounds and we're doin' it big. We're big hitters out there, man."
Irby and Lapice, a receiver and defensive back, both say trash-talking about their height is fierce along the line of scrimmage.
"People don't see everything that happens," Irby said. "There's always an exchange of words. Especially the linemen. As soon as we hit 'em, it's a whole 'nother story."
Said Lapice: "They won't talk after the game. They know we bring a big impact and a big hit."
The big impact is evident even to those who aren't the recipients of the big hits: Irby has 589 yards and nine touchdowns rushing and 152 yards and a touchdown as a receiver; Lapice has 357 yards and four receiving touchdowns.
"I always wanted a little more height, but you work with what you got," Irby said. "Plenty of times people tell you you're not going to make it, but that's fuel, that's energy."
Suffolk standouts
A county over, Eddie Carson is making his mark for Bellport.
A senior running back who plays all over the field on defense, the 5-4, 150-pound Carson has learned how to use his size as an advantage.
"They say the lowest man in the game wins, and I'm already low to the ground," he said. "When I run the ball, I run it low, so it's hard for guys to tackle my legs. They're always hitting shoulder pads and helmet."
This season, Carson has 64 total tackles, over a dozen of them solo. He's returned five kickoffs for 104 yards and has over 70 yards each for rushing and receiving.
Sayville's Tom Dieckhoff (5-4, 145) had to wait until Week 3 against Westhampton for his chance. When Jake Sichenzia was injured in the second quarter, Dieckhoff was inserted at left slot. He finished that game with four catches for 133 yards and a touchdown.
"The kid never put his head in the sand, never sulked," coach Rob Hoss said. "But that's the kind of competitor he is."
Dieckhoff, a senior, has 282 yards and three touchdowns heading into Saturday night's game at Comsewogue. He's also racked up over 20 tackles at safety, but still isn't satisfied.
"I like starting and contributing to the game more than I was," he said. "But I still want to do more than I am right now."
Keeping tabs
Back at Seaford, it's becoming apparent that almost every one of these players keeps track of the others' progress during the season, a strong performance by one bolstering the confidence of another. "If they can do it,'' Rodriguez said, "why can't I?"
