Lodi Flames have ingredients for high-octane offense

Shootouts. Offensive showdowns. Touchdown traders. However you say it, this year's Lodi High football team showcases a high-octane offense that is poised to march down the field and score touchdowns all game long.

"I think we are going to be able to move the ball and execute," said Lodi head coach Todd Dillon, who is in his 14th season with the Flames. "We are going to keep the ball in our hands, put up some points and try to make other teams keep up with us."

The Flames are hoping their running game will burn opposing defenses and light up the scoreboard this season. Jordan Perkins, a Division I prospect who racked up 1,300 yards, 10 touchdowns and an average of 7.65 yards per carry as a sophomore last season, and Alex Santiago, a speedy senior who ran for 724 yards and seven TDs last season, will be alternating carries in the backfield.

Sophomore Joey Armstrong, as well as Lodi returners Damien Fernandez, Erik Anenson and Nick Brown, will also be getting time in the backfield.

What's new this season for the Flames is a mobile quarterback who can get out of the pocket and zip the ball down the field or hang on to it and run for extra yards. Collin Rhoads, a junior who played mostly as a cornerback last season, but also saw time at running back and wide receiver, will be starting at QB for Lodi this year.

Despite only lining up as QB once last year, when he completed his only attempt for 15 yards, Rhoads said quarterback is his preferred position. He was the QB for the Junior Flames his eighth-grade year and as well as for the frosh/soph Flames his freshman season.

"I would much rather be QB. I like the pressure," Rhoads said. "I want to be able to lead this team and take on a bigger leadership role."

Dillon likes Rhoads at quarterback because his athleticism gives him lots of options in Lodi's offense.

"He can run and throw," Dillon said of Rhoads. "He can move around and create on the run and, not to take away from his throwing, but he has the ability to elude and make things happen on the run. He isn't going to just sit back in the pocket."

Lodi's wide receiving corps is led by senior Ryan Pudwell. Pudwell says that Lodi will be a run-first team, but he is confident Rhoads' arm will force defenses to stay honest. Whether the ball stays on the ground or goes in the air, Pudwell is confident in the Flame offense.

"I think we will be able to score every time we get the ball," he said.

The offensive line won't be as big or as experienced as it's been in the past for Lodi. Dillon is still confident line coach Greg Bishop will make it a formidable unit for opposing defenses.

Lodi's strength defensively will rest in the secondary, where returners like Rhoads, Perkins, Pudwell, Santiago and Fernandez are back and looking for interceptions. Pudwell led the team with four picks last season, while Perkins had another two.

After missing out on the postseason the last three seasons, the high-flying Flames have high hopes for this season. Rhoads said Lodi is gunning for a San Joaquin Athletic Association title.

The last three seasons, Lodi has started the season with a bang. But after racking up wins, the Flames have struggled at the end of their schedule — most notably against SJAA powerhouses Lincoln and Tracy.

Last season, the Flames started the season with a 6-1 record. They then lost their last three games, against Lincoln, Chavez and Tracy to close out the year. Lodi's roster was depleted by injuries, including knee problems for Perkins that hindered his durability the second half of the season.

This season, Lodi will play the exact same schedule in the same order.

"We know what we have at the end of the schedule and that's been our nemesis. Those are the games that matter," Dillon said. "Hopefully we can stay healthy. If we can face those teams with a healthy team, we feel like we can give them a battle."

Lodi Flames at a glance

Coach: Todd Dillon, 14th season.
League: San Joaquin Athletic Association.
Last year: After jumping out to a 6-1 start, including winning their first four games, the Flames lost their last three games and missed the playoffs for the third straight year. They finished with a 6-4 record and placed fourth in the SJAA (2-3).
Key returners: Seniors Geeze Borges (lineman), Alex Santiago (FB/MLB), Damien Fernandez (HB/CB) and Ryan Pudwell (WR/SS); juniors Jordan Perkins (RB/FS), Collin Rhoads (QB/CB) and Nick Brown (HB/DB).
Key addition: Sophomore Joey Armstrong (HB/LB).
League favorites: Lincoln and Tracy, according to Dillon.
Noteworthy: Lodi's running game figures to be strong this season with Jordan Perkins and Alex Santiago sharing time in the backfield. Perkins, a Division I prospect, ran for 1,300 yards with an average of 7.65 yards per carry and scored 10 touchdowns last season. Halfback Joey Armstrong and quarterback Collin Rhoads will also be weapons in the Flames' running game.

2009 schedule

9-11 vs. Sheldon 7:15 p.m.
9-18 at Galt 7:15 p.m.
9-25 vs. Stagg 7:30 p.m.
10-2 at Tokay 7:30 p.m.
10-9 vs. Grace Davis 7:30 p.m.
10-16 at Franklin 7 p.m.
10-23 vs. Bear Creek 7:30 p.m.
10-30 at Lincoln 7:15 p.m.
11-6 vs. Chavez 7:30 p.m.
11-13 at Tracy 7:30 p.m.
Home games played at the Grape Bowl

Reader Feedback

sportfan wrote on Sep 12, 2009 7:09 AM:

" i was there as always cheering for our boys to the bitter end...the crowd was great..i am proud of the boys....never ever a doubt of that....when we mixed in passes we moved the ball...the one pass in the second half? we are sending our boys out there to battle but we can't use our weapons...as always i say open it up like in the first half..the other team had 7 or 8 men in the box the whole second half...go lodi...i am a fan to the end "

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flamefan wrote on Sep 11, 2009 11:44 PM:

" small crowds huh sportfan? guess you wernt there tonight? "

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flamefan wrote on Sep 10, 2009 5:50 PM:

" I think everyone on this thread is right except maybe the guy complaining about dads knowing everything. Lodi does run too much and of course we would all love to see them open it up, but that doesnt mean I dont love friday nights at the grapebowl. If you dont get pumped up right before kickoff on friday nights then you are just wasting you money being there. Well lets hope lodi can jump out to big leads because if they get too far behind coming back with no passing game could prove to be tough. Hopefully the coaches will be ready to open it up by the time we play tracy and lincoln or the playoff may be hard to reach. Lets go Lodi Flames!!! "

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fballfan wrote on Sep 9, 2009 9:40 PM:

" Hey Sportfan, here's a suggestion. Don't go to the games if they are so boring! Quit your whining. Can't help it if Lodi kids quit and would rather hang out then work hard and be a part of a team!! Get real!! Good Luck Lodi. Prove everyone wrong! "

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sportfan wrote on Sep 9, 2009 9:36 AM:

" we have no depth because we only have 30 players....because we run all the time only 3 or 4 kids get to have any fun....thats why players give up as they go through the years and also why we get small crowds...it is so dang boring "

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Bulldog wrote on Sep 8, 2009 7:17 AM:

" Hey Curveball - Monday morning quarterbacking is as American as apple pie. It is a sign of being a fan. Aren't 49'er fans debating Hill vs Smith right now? Don't you think the run first approach is getting just as much fan flack for Mike Singletary as Coach Dillon is taking? Remember Joe and Steve passing to Jerry? Thats what the fans want.

Stating your opinion on sports is just part of the game. Lighten up on these guys. They obviously care about the team or they would not take the time to post their thoughts.

Debate in sports is what makes it so great.

And here is my take - how many kids are going to be changed when the Flames go from O to D. Lodi has a tradition of running the best 8-10 kids both ways. Will they get tired and lose a step in the 4th quarter? Will they still be able to execute? Do they have any depth? That is the big question. "

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getreal wrote on Sep 7, 2009 8:09 AM:

" curveball: just because someone has played football does not mean they know how to coach. This has been obvious year after year after year. These TWO coaches, you speak of, do not inspire their players. They discourage instead of encourage. I am afraid it will be just one more year of the same old thing. All said, Good Luck Lodi High Football Flames! Play hard and have a good time. Hail Alma Mater! "

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Cougar7 wrote on Sep 7, 2009 6:44 AM:

" Go to McNair and be a star. "

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Curveball wrote on Sep 7, 2009 6:18 AM:

" Always makes me laugh when some parents think they know more then the coaches,,especially someone with as much experience as Dillon and Bishop. "

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formerfan wrote on Sep 6, 2009 8:52 AM:

" went to the scrimage saturday. They played Weston Ranch and Edison. 5o+ plays, maybe 5 passes. I agree with sportfan, open it up. New offense had both opponents stacking the box. Several times the only guy not in the box was a corner. If this kid is as mobile and elusive as you claim, can you say "Naked Boot" "

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sportfan wrote on Sep 6, 2009 7:28 AM:

" we had a good quarterback last year and we threw 5 passes a game? we will run our way to another 500 season...the boys work hard let'm have some fun...open it up "

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