Fresno State commit Caden Rodgers wins City-County MVP honor
County MVP Caden Rodgers @CadenRodgers7 of Buchanan and City MVP Paul Sharp of Clovis North, joined by County head coach Mason Rodman and City head coach Eric Brown. #city #county #allstar #football #game #CityCounty #MVPs #citycountycoaches #CityCountyAllStarGame pic.twitter.com/ext98XzW5W
— City County All-Star Football Game (@ccallstarfresno) June 18, 2022
One of the most impressive highlights of the 68th annual City/County all-star football game was an instance of Bulldog-on-Bulldog crime.
Incoming Fresno State running back Caden Rodgers, decked out in his royal blue County uniform and white Buchanan High helmet, took the handoff 10 yards away from the end zone. City safety Brian Garcia blitzed and had a clean shot at Rodgers behind the line of scrimmage.
Rodgers sidestepped the tackle, but Garcia caught enough of his ankles to send him stumbling forward, toward Jayden Davis, an incoming Fresno State freshman. Davis had a clean shot at keeping Rodgers from the end zone.
But the 6-foot-1, 210-pound Rodgers absorbed Davis’ hit, twirled past him, and muscled his way into the end zone between Davis and another tackler.
touchdown, county! Caden Rodgers spins past tackler and barrel toward end zone for 10-yard TD. Tied game at 21 @ccallstarfresno. 4:42 left in 3rd quarter. @CadenRodgers7 @buchananbear_fb pic.twitter.com/feKh68Ybtd
— Gabe Camarillo (@gabecamarillo_) June 18, 2022
The touchdown was impressive for two reasons. For one, Davis is a very talented defender, expected to play safety at Fresno State. For another thing, Rodgers looked like the same bruising back in June as he did in November, with no football activity in between.
Seriously, none. Rodgers wrestled for the state’s top-ranked Buchanan team in the winter and spring and only resumed football when the County All-Stars began practice.
“It felt so nice to get the pads back on and pop heads with someone else again,” Rodgers said. “I haven’t done that since November.”
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Rodgers scored two touchdowns last Friday, June 17 including the game-tying, 10-yard score in the third quarter. His last touchdown proved to be the final score between either side. The City/County game ended in a 21-21 draw, the fourth tie in the 68-year history of the game and the first since 1972.
“We were all [upset], because some of the coaches were telling us that we were about to go to overtime,” Rodgers said. “We were getting ready. We were fired up, ready to kick some butt in overtime, and then we saw the refs wave the game off and say it ended in a tie.”
Although neither team left McLane Stadium with the trophy, Rodgers left with some hardware as MVP of the game for County. He not only appreciated the award and the chance to play football again but also the chance to be competitive again.
There was one moment in the second half where Rodgers finished a play out of bounds, well into the City sideline. He was the lone blue jersey in a sea of red, and a scuffle ensued.
“Even when I got into that scuffle on the sideline, that felt nice to go over there and talk smack to the other team,” Rodgers said, smiling. “I missed that for a long time. That’s the kind of thing you don’t get with wrestling.”
Rodgers’ wrestling days are behind him. He reports to football practice on Monday, June 27 with the other freshmen. After a conversation with head coach Jeff Tedford in December, Rodgers received the chance to play at Fresno State as a preferred walk-on.
If Bulldog fans are wondering what kind of player Rodgers is, the opening kickoff of the City/County game might provide insight.
“We kicked to them and I got a really big hit,” Rodgers remembered. “I put someone on his ass. That felt so great. It’s such a euphoric feeling to just lay someone out and be back out there on the field under the lights.”
The feeling will be there for Rodgers for at least a few more years, now as a Bulldog.
“Football is my passion, and it’s what I want to do,” Rodgers said before he corrected himself.
“It’s what I’m going to be doing.”