The Freedom Patriots ground up the host King Lions for 143 yards of rushing in just two quarters of play. Running backs Carlos Rodicio and Xavier Freeman gained most of those yards with Rodicio scoring on the game’s only touchdown, a five yard run that made it a 7-0 win.
Top Players
Rising senior Carlos Rodicio was not a huge factor in the Patriot run game in 2015 but expect him to be a lynchpin in this year’s ground game. Rodicio picked up 65 yards on seven carries in two quarters against King.
“He’s going to be a huge factor on offense this year,” assistant coach Dave Sevier said. “He’ll play slot, running back and outside linebacker. He’s a downhill kid that takes it and goes.”
Complementing Rodicio in the backfield will be rising junior Xavier Freeman. Freeman didn’t log a carry in 2015 but he should garner a lot of work in 2016. Freeman looked explosive Thursday night against King and picked up 50 yards on seven carries, including runs of 21 and 22 yards.
Rising junior quarterback Deshard Hughes was stymied by the King defense and the Lions picked him off twice but coaches are pleased with how fast he’s picked up the offense and with his athletic ability. Hughes did make a great stop on defense to kill a Lion drive in the first quarter of the spring game.
Rising junior linebacker Brendan Abel showed flashes of promise against King. He made a crushing hit to separate a Lion receiver from the ball on King’s first possession and swarmed to the ball the rest of the night.
Rising juniors Jayland Desue and Miguel Quiles made some big defensive plays for the Patriots. Desue logged a sack on the Lions’ first possession and Quiles had two tackles-for-loss and a half sack that ended the Lions’ fourth drive.
Top Plays
Hughes found Donta Acree for a 25-yard gain in the first quarter against King.
On Freedom’s scoring drive, Freeman carried three straight times for 21, 22 and 2 and then was thrown back for a loss. No matter, Rodicio broke an 11-yarder to the King six-yard line and then scored on a five yard burst.
The Lions were set up first and goal at the 5, late in the second quarter, but the Patriot defense held. On a fourth down run from the 11, Sebastian Cuevas chased Lion quarterback Kenneth Wilson to the sideline, tackling him at the five to get the ball back with just seconds remaining.
Top Position Battles
The Patriots are high on Hughes but they played Amar McRae also. McRae seems like the better run option as he broke a 28-yarder.
Rodicio and Freeman should have plenty on their plate in 2016, no real need for a battle over the position.
Only Acree and Xavier Walker caught passes for the Patriots in the spring game. No doubt that position will be up for competition.
Top Comment
“Carlos (Rodicio) was steady and Freeman stepped up even after the fumble,” Sevier said. “We rode them on that winning drive, those two lead by example.”
“ They’ve added some wingspan to the pocket,” Sevier said of tackles Bryant Young and David Springs
Top Takeaways
The Patriots are still in that brutal 7A-8 district with Plant, Sickles, Wharton, Gaither. It’s going to be tough sledding for a squad that has just 35 players on the roster and dressed just 30 for the jamboree. Athletes are going to have to adapt to playing both offense and defense.
Only two starters return on the offensive line but coaches are pleased with what they see in Young and Springs. The Patriot line created quite a bit of running room against the Lions in two quarters but their ability to come together as a group will dictate the fortunes of the 2016 Patriots. The Patriots only have six offensive linemen. If there’s much attrition in 2016, that will make head coach Floyd Graham’s debut season with Freedom tougher.
No comment yet, add your voice below!