Rodriguez again goes over 1,000-yard mark as Middle pulls away from Absegami

Posted: October 20th 2024

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

Remi Rodriguez has done it again.

The dynamic senior has continued to stake his claim as one of the most productive players in Middle Township High School football history by going over the 1,000-yard mark in rushing yards for the third straight year in the Panthers’ 28-12 win over Absegami on Friday.

Rodriguez carried 21 times for 206 yards and three touchdowns to lead Middle, which used a strong second half to pull away from the Braves.

After the teams’ defenses shined early in the contest, Rodriguez scored from 21 yards out in the second quarter to open the scoring. Absegami scored on a touchdown pass on the final play of the first half but missed the extra point, giving Middle a 7-6 lead at the break.

Noah Nagle’s 20-yard touchdown reception of a Tommy Gontz pass upped Middle’s lead to 13-6 early in the third quarter, but the Braves responded with a 90-yard touchdown pass. Absegami, however, again missed the extra point to keep Middle ahead at 13-12.

The Panthers essentially put the game away early in the fourth quarter when Rodriguez reached the end zone from 15 yards out and also ran in for the two-point conversion to give Middle a two-score lead at 21-12. Rodriguez later rounded out the scoring with a three-yard touchdown run.

REMI RODRIGUEZ

Rodriguez led a Middle rushing attack that amassed a whopping 368 yards. Shawn Watkins complemented Rodriguez to perfection, running 13 times for 126 yards. And Gontz added 36 yards on six rushing attempts.

Gontz was efficient through the air. Although he attempted just six passes, he completed five of them for 55 yards with each completion going to a different receiver.

Chase Moore and Aydan Howell each intercepted passes for Middle. Each now has five interceptions on the season.

Rodriguez upped his season rushing total to 1,062 yards on 144 carries. He ran for 1,026 yards as a sophomore (despite missing two games through injury) and 1,232 yards as a junior. With at least two games remaining, Rodriguez has a chance to go over 4,000 yards for his career as his career total sits at 3,877 yards. 

Middle (4-3) is still on the outside looking in when it comes to playoff qualification. The Panthers currently sit 18th in South Group II, with the top 16 qualifying for the postseason. Middle will have to win its regular-season finale on Friday at St. Joseph in order to have a chance to qualify.