See this story at BrooklynDaily.com.
By Patrick McCormack
Brooklyn Daily
Rodney Gonzales offered an honorable end to Bishop Ford’s presence in high school athletics last Wednesday, representing his closing school on the New York City all-star team in the Empire Challenge football game.
The Falcons senior wide receiver was the only Ford player on the city’s squad, and the last ever to take to the field in the June 25 game at Hofstra University.
“I never thought I would be the only player from Bishop Ford to play in this [year’s] game,” Gonzales said. “It feels good to be the only player and the last player to play in this game from my school.”
The city’s all-stars lost 24–18 to their Long Island counterparts in the annual gridiron match up, played to benefit the Boomer Esiason Foundation for cystic fibrosis, but Gonzales still did his school proud. He had two catches for 28 yards in the Empire Challenge. Gonzales, who is used to being a main target in the Ford offense, used the game as a learning experience.
“I understand you can’t get the ball every play, so it showed me a lot of things,” he said. “You have to be patient in college. In college you are not going to be the only one on the team.”
New York City and Lincoln head coach Shawn O’Conner saw in practice why the Nassau Community College-bound Gonzales is a threat on offense, because of his work ethic and hustle. Gonzales’ heart was noticeable.
“What epitomizes Rodney is what this team is all about,” he said. “We were in practice, doing seven-on-seven and he was diving out there. He could of hurt himself and could have knocked himself out of what could be the biggest game of his career, but he was out there diving for balls.”
Gonzales proved his skills already this season, helping Ford go 7–4 overall, 5–3 In Catholic Football League play. The Falcons reached the Class AA playoffs after consecutive Class A titles. He rushed for 468 yards and seven touchdowns, along with 45 catches for 871 yards and nine scores. He was hoping to add an Empire Challenge victory to his resume, but it was not to be. a strong showing by the five boroughs was going to have to be enough.
“We wanted it,” Gonzales said. “I am not angry though. We worked hard. It came to the end. That’s all we wanted.”