Big step up for Wolves
The best story of the high school football season might be taking place unbeknownst to many.
Roxbury Prep Charter has hit the ground running in its first season at the varsity level. A 16-8 victory over Randolph Friday night put the Wolves at 4-2 and right in the middle of the hunt for a Division 8 North playoff spot.
The architect of this improbable feelgood story is head coach Elijah Hodge. A former collegiate player at Wisconsin and Northern Iowa, Hodge arrived in the Boston area in 2011 when his fiance (and now wife) Zina decided to attend graduate school at Boston College.
They decided to remain in the area and Hodge eventually took a job as dean of students of Roxbury Prep Charter. When the opportunity arose to take the football job, Hodge was more than happy to accept the position and start the process of building a varsity team from scratch. Not exactly an easy task, considering the only football the school had ever experienced prior was one season at the junior varsity level and another one as a club program.
“The first thing we did was to get the kids to attack each day with the goal to get better,” Hodge said. “We have a great group of kids who have worked hard and developed a belief that they can compete every day.”
While Hodge is adamant that this 4-2 record is no fluke, athletic director Dwayne Robinson admits he originally didn’t expect such a successful debut. But it didn’t take him long to become a believer in Hodge, his coaching staff and the work they put in.
“We went to a seminar at the MIAA a few months ago and we went out to eat afterwards,” Robinson said. “These guys were willing to put in the time, they really work hard with the kids and it’s nice to see them making history.”
Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither are varsity programs. There are times when the Wolves stub their toes and Hodge understands that. It explains why the coaches get extra excited when they have what Hodge calls an “ah-hah” moment.
“It’s nice to be able to teach something to them and they get it,” Hodge said. “Those times when we coach something, that don’t understand at first, but then they do. We call them ah-hah moments, like we don’t have to explain it and go over it again.”
With limited numbers, several of the Wolves play on both sides of the ball as well as special teams. Aside from a 40-14 loss to a rugged Northeast squad, the Wolves have not allowed more than 14 points in a game.
The defense has been led by defensive ends Ahriq Mason and Arlingcove Paul, linebacker Samuel Obianigwe and defensive backs Constatin Ngankam, Benjamin Obianigwe and Sampson Prosper.
Jamoni Waller has been a stable presence at quarterback. Benjamin Obianigwe, Dy’riece Smith and Paul have been the top running backs, while Samuel Obianigwe and Mason are the anchors on the offensive line. Starting center Steven Burgos Torres has been sidelined with an injury, but Hodge is hopeful he can return soon.
Sweet 16
1. EVERETT (6-0): Crimson Tide make short work of Medford to extend their winning streak to 25.
2. XAVERIAN (4-1): Hawks return to the gridiron after a bye week to take on rival BC High.
3. ST. JOHN’S PREP (5-1): Dominant firsthalf effort against BC High keeps the Eagles undefeated in the Catholic Conference.
4. DUXBURY (6-0): Dragons shut out Quincy to keep the momentum going heading into the postseason.
5. NORTH ANDOVER (6-0): Not too shabby when you lose one of the top backs and can trot out Freddy Gabin without skipping a beat.
6. ACTON-BOXBORO (6-0): Should be a great race the final week to see who lands the coveted top spot in Div. 1 North.
7. LINCOLN-SUDBURY (5-1): Easy win moves longtime coaching legend Tom Lopez one victory closer to the coveted 300win plateau.
8. MANSFIELD (5-1): Big-time drive in the final minute propels the Hornets to a much-needed Hockomock Kelley-Rex win over Attleboro.
9. CATHOLIC MEMORIAL (4-2): Offense stepped up to help the Knights get the job done on the road.
10. MASHPEE (6-0): Memo to future opponents: Do not, I repeat do not kick the ball within Devaun Ford’s area code.
11. MILTON (5-1): Statement win for the Wildcats, handing Needham its first loss.
12. NATICK (4-2): Love the way the Redhawks are playing heading into the home stretch.
13. CENTRAL CATHOLIC (4-2): As we’ve said for the last few weeks, the Raiders’ young guns are getting better and better at the right time.
14. NEEDHAM (5-1): First time this year the Rockets will return to practice today on the heels of a loss.
15. TEWKSBURY (5-1): Redmen had little trouble with a struggling Chelmsford club.
16. MARBLEHEAD (6-0): Hard not to be impressed with the dominant two-way performance the Magicians turned in on the road against previously unbeaten Gloucester.