Quiet Rodriguez kicks way into record books

By Kevin Taylor

Alma Schools 

Alma sophomore Daniel Rodriguez isn’t ready to line up for a 50-yard field goal attempt. 

But he’s certainly getting warmed up. 

The soft-spoken Rodriguez kicked a school-record three field goals in last week’s 30-16 loss to Greenbrier, including a career-long 38-yarder that gave the Airedales a 16-7 third-quarter lead. 

The Panthers (3-3, 2-2) eventually rallied for a two-score win in a much closer game. Alma (3-4, 1-3) led 16-14 with eight minutes to play before allowing two late touchdowns. 

Rodriguez kicked two first-half field goals to help the team build a 13-0 lead. He’s kicked all five field goals in the last three games. 

“I'm really happy with how I've been going,” Rodriguez said. “It all starts with good snaps. I feel more confident now than I did (earlier).”

The Airedales are a few plays short of a 6-1 record. Maybe better. 

This Friday, the team hopes to finish the regular season with a 4-1 road record for the second straight season. Last week, the Airedales had a seven-game regular season road trip snapped. 

Clarksville (1-6, 0-4) is averaging just 8.2 points per game. The Panthers are just 1-11 in their last 12 games with the Airedales dating back to 1978. 

Alma leads the all-time series 17-8 which dates back to 1958. 

Rodriguez said he’s become more relaxed this season. The first-year kicker has scored 38 points and is 23-of-24 in PAT attempts and 5-for-6 in field goal attempts. 

“I feel a lot more relaxed now,” he said. “(But) some of those guys are bigger than me."

Rodriguez is the first Alma kicker with five field goals in a season since Seth Linker booted six field goals in 2013. 

Adam Daily holds the school record with 13 field goals (1995-97). Three players (Linker in ‘13, Tommy Harrell in 1980), and Ryan Evans in 2004) each kicked six field goals in a season. 

The Airedales return home on Nov. 1 for a season-ending two-game homestand with Pea Ridge and Farmington.