A 10-win season at any level of football has long been a benchmark of success.
Argyle coach Todd Rodgers is averaging 10 wins per season and, because the Eagles remain alive in the 2012 playoffs, that number could still climb.
Todd Rodgers, Argyle head coach
Photo by Kyle Dantzler
Rodgers recorded his 100th victory as a head coach in Argyle's 42-14 elimination of Melissa in a Class 3A Division II area playoff Friday night.
In recognition of the milestone, Rodgers was selected as the Dallas area Coach of the Week presented by Comerica Bank.
Following win No. 100 Rodgers was presented with a plaque inscribed with all 100 wins, dating to his first season at the school in 2003.
"A lot of people have had a huge part in the success we've had,'' said Rodgers. "I knew this job had potential 10 years ago, but I couldn't have anticipated this.''
Argyle has qualified for the playoffs in nine straight years, missing only in his first season. Even then Argyle had a chance with a 5-5 campaign, but missed out because of an 8-6 loss to Gunter in Week 10. Rodgers still remembers the score of the game.
Rodgers' grooming for the Argyle job came in a nine-year stint as an assistant coach at Marcus (Flower Mound). Most of his work was done on the defensive side, but he also served one year as offensive coordinator.
Que Brittain's Marcus Marauders were a Class 5A Division II state finalist in 1995 and state champion in 1997.
"Coach Brittain was a great influence on me,'' Rodgers said. "I loved the way he did business. He gave a world of power to his assistant coaches and let them coach. I've tried to do the same thing.''
Rodgers, 47, and wife Carrie have three children: Emily, a 20-year-old who attends Oklahoma State; Cooper, 16, a sophomore quarterback for the Eagles and 11-year-old Lanie, a fifth grader.
Argyle, located south of Denton, went 1-9 in its first varsity football season in 2002. Rodgers was hired the next year.
Under Rodgers, Argyle's record is 100-29.
Argyle has twice made it to the state championship game, losing in the 2005 Class 2A Division I finals to Newton, 28-20, and last season in the Class 3A Division II title game to Wimberley, 21-14.
Rodgers looks to add to his win total this week in
a semifinal game.
Photo by Kyle Dantzler
Prospects this fall were tempered by heavy graduation from last year's team and a small senior group of only nine players. Only seven starters returned from a 14-2 club.
After a 31-14 loss to West Texas power Wylie (Abilene) in the season opener, the Eagles grew up quickly. Their winning streak has reached 11. In eight of those wins, the Argyle defense has held opponents to no more than eight points.
"I guess I was somewhat pessimistic about what we could achieve due to the number of exceptional players we graduated,'' Rodgers said. "We anticipated some early bumps in the road, but we looked really good in our two scrimmages. Because we were inexperienced, we tried to simplify things. The kids have really good retention and they've been in our system since the seventh grade, so that is a big help.''
Argyle's most productive skill players, like the majority of starters, are underclassmen.
Nick Ralston, a 215-pound sophomore running back, has rushed for 1,656 yards and 23 touchdowns. He had 159 yards and two touchdowns in the playoff win over Melissa.
"He's a really good football player,'' said Rodgers. "Nick surprises some people with his speed.''
Junior quarterback
Brandon Boyzuick has thrown for 1,838 yards and 19 touchdowns. His favorite target is fellow junior
Ian Sadler with 46 catches for 969 yards and 12 scores. Sadler also has 344 yards and 13 touchdowns as a rusher.
Friday's Region II semifinal at Mesquite Memorial Stadium will be against a familiar opponent, 11-1 Gilmer, a state champion in 2004 and 2009. It will be the third-straight season for the teams to meet in the playoffs. Argyle has won the previous two, 41-14 in 2010 and 51-35 last season. But that's not a comfort to Rodgers right now.
"East Texas teams are always well coached and they get great support from their fans,'' Rodgers said. "I'm not sure there is a better group of coaches in the state than District 16-3A in East Texas. When you play one of those teams, it definitely has its challenges.''
It goes without saying an Argyle win would be a great way to start a new plaque.
