Waldrop progressing under center for Warriors

THOMASVILLE –—Brookwood's Rodge Waldrop had a standout sophomore season behind center. He is capable of taking his game to a whole new level during his junior season. 

Brookwood coach Shane Boggs wants to appreciate every moment of Waldrop's progression this summer and not take it for granted.

“I was telling coach (William) Byce, if we're not careful we start to take some things for granted,” Boggs said. “When it's a good pocket and we've got some separation out there, the ball is going to get thrown on time to the right guy and accurately. I've got to be careful not to take that for granted. He's really ahead of the game in that regard.”

Accuracy and arm talent helped Waldrop pass for 3,158 yards and 32 touchdowns in leading the Warriors to the GISA Region 3-AAA championship. Boggs hopes to use Waldrop's athleticism more next season to balance his aerial attack.

“I think his leadership, he's taken that to a whole new level. I think he's able to do that because the game is starting to slow down more and more for him,” Boggs said. “He's able to focus more on his part and getting others prepared. We're really focused on developing a QB-run game, which we didn't necessarily do last year. We threw for 3,100, which is unbelievable, but we want to get those rushing yards up a little bit. He's capable of doing that. We've got some packages we're working on there as well.”

Waldrop excelled in his first year operating Boggs' high-octane offense. Not only did Waldrop average 263 passing yards per game, but Brookwood scored 332 points. It eclipsed 30 points five times. Waldrop should only continue to develop as Brookwood's starting quarterback.

“We want to play at a really fast tempo, but you don't want it to be at the expense of your quarterback or any other player on your own team,” Boggs said. “I suspect the more reps that he gets, the more comfortable he gets playing at a fast tempo. Everybody sees what happens on Friday nights but they don't always see what goes on in the spring on the practice field but maybe more importantly in meeting rooms throughout the year. 

“We've poured a ton of time into just the football IQ and QB school type of stuff, and that stuff certainly pays off more and more every year.”