Rodriguez leads St. Joseph's 400-yard rushing effort

St. Joseph Academy scored on its first possession and never looked back, dismantling Marine Military Academy 41-8 on Friday night at Canales Field.

Cesar Rodriguez set up the first score with a 45-yard burst up the middle. He racked up 193 yards on 15 carries without even touching the ball in the fourth quarter to literally carry the Bloodhounds to victory.

Rodriguez scored three touchdowns on runs of 4, 14 and 50 yards to put the ’Hounds up 21-0 with 1:59 left in the first half. Rodriguez had six rushes of more than 15 yards, with going more than 40 yards.

Ernesto Danache, who also put up huge numbers with 129 yards on 13 carries, took over for Rodriguez. He powered the ’Hounds (3-3, 1-0) up the field, setting up a 4-yard score from Agustin Esteve during the fourth quarter to put the ’Hounds up 41-0.

The St. Joseph’s offensive line was key, helping the squad amount 400 yards on the ground.

"It was a combination of both the running backs and the line," St. Joseph coach Christian Putegnat said. "The line was able to get their cuts and do their job, and I credit our offensive coordinator for getting them ready."

The ’Hounds built their game plan around a rushing attack that had 10 different players carry the ball. Rodolfo Garcia, Esteve and Danny Martinez combined for another 72 yards on seven carries. Martinez scored the ’Hounds’ first touchdown from 19 yards out.

MMA (1-4, 0-1) didn’t have any success on offense, getting its lone score late in the fourth quarter on a 2-yard rush from quarterback Blake Bozer. The Leathernecks managed only 159 yards of offense including 28 yards rushing on 29 carries.

Despite the poor showing, MMA coach David Robledo is still optimistic about the team’s future.

"You’ve got to build on the effort," Robledo said. "We’re getting better, and if you keep getting better after every game good things are bound to happen down the line."

MMA and St. Joseph will travel to San Antonio next Saturday to face defending district champion Central Catholic and Holy Cross, respectively.