Franklin's Rodriquez a macho player with mucho talent

IT'S ALWAYS cool to see an athlete go from bit player to star. This year, that applies to Ben Franklin senior multiposition player Rafael "Macho" Rodriguez.

It's not the eye-popping stats that make Rodriguez so good, as it's his leadership and versatility. He starts on offense (wide receiver) and defense (safety) and handles three special-teams spots (punter, kick returner and punt returner).

"I embrace the responsibility my coaches give me," Rodriquez said. "And I love that they don't allow us to slack."

So where have you been all of our lives, Mr. Rodriguez?

"Last year I did play some on defense, but honestly I was a little bit scared to perform. Now I'm so much more calm and can't wait to turn up for my team. Plus, I can't let coach [David] Carter down. We are from the same neighborhood [around 16th and Wallace, footsteps from the school] and I pretty much knew him my whole life. He's a guy who everyone in the neighborhood looks up to because he made it and now he's here giving back."

Rodriguez, acquired the nickname "Macho" from his mom, Julie Corchado, a major wrestling enthusiast who was a fan of 1990s star "Macho Man" Randy Savage.

Now, he's impressing everyone with his "Macho" style of play for the 3-1 Electrons.

Why were two games pitting teams from West Philly (Future vs. Boys Latin and West vs. Overbrook) played in the lower Northeast last weekend at Simon Gratz supersite in Hunting Park? The West-Overbrook game, an all-time rivalry, began with a crowd of about 40 people that later swelled to around 150, which is about five times less than if it were played in West Philly . . . Future running back Rob Hall, a U-City (now closed) transfer, scored four touchdowns in four different ways en route to a 34-20 victory. He ran, received, returned a kickoff and had an interception . . . In Gratz' victory over newfound rival Mastery North, the Bulldogs scored TDs on consecutive plays from scrimmage on interception returns 17 seconds apart. The first was by senior linebacker Jaylem Sanders (21 yards). The second was by junior defensive end Skylar Wilkerson (29) . . . Neumann-Goretti pass/catch combo of quarterback Ray Lenhart and wide receiver Jamal Custis (6-6, 220, Syracuse commit) broke their own school yardage records in a 35-6 drubbing of Chester. Lenhart (244 to 277) and Custis (169 to 185) connected for three scores . . . Ryan junior running back Samir Bullock has gained 904 yards on 71 carries and scored 11 touchdowns for the 4-0 Raiders . . . Father Judge sophomore RB Yeedee Thaenrat has opened eyes with 413 yards on 40 carries with five TDs.

West Philly junior two-way tackle Teair Tart-Spencer (6-5 290, very lean) has the look of a Division I prospect . . . Sankofa Charter senior wing guard Anthony Wright-Downing has commited to Holy Family University for basketball.