HS FOOT: Expanded preview coverage for tonight's section semfinals

Desi Rodriguez is a rare breed, a quarterback who loves to scramble yet isn’t afraid to take a hit.

Rodriguez, a Saugus junior, is as fast and elusive as most running backs – he has rushed for 1,177 yards and 10 touchdowns – but you never see him head for the sidelines, much less slide.

“The way I view it, you only get to play in so many football games, so why not make the most of it?” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez was never better in a 34-6 victory Friday over Atascadero in the Northern Division semifinals, rushing for 150 yards, completing 5 of 7 passes for 76 yards, while accounting for two touchdowns – one rushing, one passing.

As the quarterback in an option offense, Rodriguez is a vital component heading into tonight’s 7:30 semifinal vs. top-seeded St. Bonaventure (11-1) at Ventura High.

Saugus coach Jason Bornn, like others, admits he is concerned about Rodriguez’s reckless running style, but there’s no taming a wild horse.

“Desi is tough as nails. He’s probably the hardest hitter on the team considering the position he plays,” Bornn said. “He’s just fiercely competitive with the heart of a warrior. He physically and mentally wants to will his team to victory.”

An upset over St. Bonaventure would prove historic for Saugus (10-2), which has never qualified for a final in the school’s 30-year history.

“People think we’re going to lose, and they can say whatever they want to say,” Rodriguez said. “The only thing that matters is what we believe, and we believe we have a great shot and a great game plan.”

Saugus runs a shotgun offense, and Rodriguez often fakes to fellow junior Ryan Zirbel, who has rushed for 2,159 yards and scored 31 touchdowns.

They’re best friends and enjoying the time of their lives, riding the crest of the program’s most successful season ever.

“Sometimes I tell Ryan, ‘Hey, I need my yards, you already have 2,000,” Rodriguez said with a smile. “When you come to the line of scrimmage, and you just have that feeling, there is nothing like it. You can see we’re going to pop one.”

Paraclete’s Caterina lost for season: Thomas Caterina, Paraclete of Lancaster’s leading receiver and two-year starting defensive end, is out for the season after tearing his MCL in a first-round victory.

After missing one game, there was hope Caterina might return Saturday for the Spirits’ Mid-Valley semifinal against Bishop Diego at Santa Barbara College.

“He’s done. We just got the final MRI report (on Thursday),” coach Norm Dahlia said. “Of course this hurts. He’s a pretty sound player. We’ll have to adjust.”
Caterina has 18 receptions for 238 yards and two touchdowns, and he has 31 tackles, 6.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
SOUTHERN SECTION SEMIFINALS
All games 7:30 tonight
NORTHERN DIVISION
SAUGUS (9-2) vs. ST. BONAVENTURE (11-1) at Ventura HS
MID-VALLEY
PARACLETE (12-0) vs. BISHOP DIEGO (10-2)

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com