Rodgers, Argyle Eagles prepare for sixth state title game
ARGYLE, Texas 鈥� The last time the Argyle Eagles won a state championship was back in 2013. The team finished 16-0 and outscored its opponents by a wide margin. Fast forward to 2020, and the Eagles are perfect once again (15-0) and heading for their sixth state championship appearance.聽
For 18 seasons, Todd Rodgers has led the Argyle Eagle football team. And in those 18 years as head coach, the program has an overall record of 209-37. He also has been to five state championships but has only won one. Fans may see this as a blemish on Rodger鈥檚 coaching career, but it really speaks to Rodgers’ consistency and hard work his coaching staff put into every season.聽
鈥淚n each of those years, our football program won five playoff games to get to that point,鈥� Rodgers said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e had very competitive teams, and every game lost was either by one score. [The critics] haven鈥檛 practiced seven days a week or worked seven days a week for 22 weeks. I really don鈥檛 care what their opinion is.鈥�
Being that consistent can be challenging for coaches at the high school level. But Rodgers and his coaching staff continue to get the most out of their players and win plenty of football games.聽
In just the last five seasons, Argyle has an overall record of 78-6. That鈥檚 including this year鈥檚 15-0 record. Also, the Eagles currently hold a 57-game winning streak in the regular season. And only once, in 2016, did the Eagles win less than 12 games.聽
So, some may wonder if there is bound to be a statue dedicated to the head coach that has given so much to his community.
鈥淸The thought] is actually hilarious in my mind,鈥� Rodgers said. 鈥淧eople love success, and they want to be connected to success. It鈥檚 very endearing and appreciative that people think they ought to put a statue up there to memorialize me. It鈥檚 great. I鈥檝e raised my kids in this community. I鈥檓 very invested in the community here in Argyle, and I鈥檒l continue to make decisions that will benefit the kids of Argyle.鈥�
But now, with the regular season behind them and the playoffs completed, the Eagles are ready for their bout with Lindale, which is making its first appearance in a state title game.聽
鈥淚 think there鈥檚 a level of anxiousness [on both sides],鈥� Rodgers said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 anxiousness in [our] situation and in Lindale鈥檚 situation. But I鈥檝e been in there before. It鈥檚 not going to be overwhelming. I鈥檝e been in before. It鈥檚 still an overwhelming moment, and I鈥檓 not saying it could impact our team. I鈥檓 going to tell them it鈥檚 a 120-yard field, 53 yards wide, and let鈥檚 go.鈥�
Looking back on past seasons, Rodgers has already solidified his legacy at Argyle. But he isn鈥檛 focusing on the past or the future. His only concern right now is hoisting that trophy with the 2020 Argyle football team.
鈥淸This team] has always been a tight-knit group, a united group,鈥� Rodgers said. 鈥淭hey didn鈥檛 lose any middle school games, period. They won every football game, every middle school basketball game, and every track meet. It was a pretty good indication that they were going to be a successful group. They鈥檙e used to winning, and they are used to giving the effort to win.聽 I think that鈥檚 the thing I鈥檒l remember the most about them.鈥�
