Zach Rodman might be best described this fall at Lake Erie College as one of the few, the proud.
He and teammate Tyler Berry of Alabama are the only players remaining from LEC’s class that arrived in the fall of 2016.
To say during that time Rodman, a Mayfield graduate, and Berry witnessed tough times on the football field is an understatement.
During his time at LEC, Rodman, 24, has seen enough losing to last a lifetime.
It began in 2016 as a freshman with an 0-11 season. A year later, the team was 2-8. In 2018, it was another 0-11 mark.
Then Coach Reilly Murphy arrived in Painesville, and things began to change. The Storm were 3-8 in 2019 but competitive in several of its losses. Had a few plays gone their way, the program might have flirted with .500 or better.
Still, the memories of the tough times are difficult to shake. Rodman admits it was not easy playing or practicing through that 2-30 stretch.
“It was very tough, very difficult,” said Rodman, a 260-pound defensive tackle. “But my mindset was, ‘You’ve got to stick through it.’ But it was hard to stay motivated for sure.”
Now, in his sixth fall at LEC, Rodman is — in a way — coming full circle. The season is about a quarter complete, and so far the losing has been replaced with winning. The Storm is 3-0 for the first time in program history.
“It makes me feel sticking around has paid off,” said Rodman. “Football is fun again.”
Best start in program history. 3-0 on the road to start the season. This is what happens when people buy into what @CoachMurphyLEC is preaching. Great team win onto the home opener next Saturday. Let’s get the best crowd LEC has ever seen! https://t.co/GdzoMCdSDl
— Zach Rodman (@ZachRodman72) September 18, 2021
Instead of the team finding ways to lose games it previously had been competitive in, it is finding a way to win.
The Storm built big leads in its first three games, then held on each time to win. Last week at McKendree University, LEC needed three defensive stands in the fourth quarter deep in their own territory to secure a 17-10 victory.
After three straight on the road, LEC is back home. It hosts Southwest Baptist — a Division II school from Missouri — at Jack Britt Stadium Sept. 25 at 6 p.m. for a chance at 4-0.
Rodman and his teammates hope it’s a memorable homecoming game, but momentum in sports can be contagious — in either direction. Rodman remembers disappointing Saturdays of LEC football. He remembers a smattering of fans at home games. Would things change? Could it change?
“I remember some of those scores … giving up 60, 70 points,” said Rodman. “In years past, I remember thinking, ‘Game on Saturday. We’re about to lose.’ But I think we’re changing the culture here.”
It hasn’t been easy.
“To do that, you have to put all your energy toward winning,” said Rodman. “You can’t party. You have to prepare. Be dedicated. Watch film.”
The popular Hudl app is one many teams use for studying game film. It allows teammates to track each other on the amount of time spent doing so.
“Most of our guys are spending 16, 17, 18 hours a week watching film,” said Rodman.
Rodman said the 3-0 start has been special, but being a part of it almost didn’t happen. His father encouraged him to see through his time at LEC, but coming back for 2021 depended on Rodman being accepted into LEC’s Master’s degree program for business administration. When he was accepted, another year of football became a reality.
“It means a heck of a lot,” said Murphy of Rodman’s return this fall. “He’s an easy guy to showcase to the younger guys. He’s been through a lot of ups and downs but it doesn’t affect him negatively. He’s someone who’s there for every drill and every practice and he comes ready and excited.
“Whether it’s 5:45 in the morning for practice or the fourth quarter of a game, he brings it. His effort, you wouldn’t know if it’s a practice or a game.”
Positive energy has been with Rodman since his days at Mayfield, when as a senior he was given an award for being the “most motivational.” While his impact on the field as a starting defensive tackle is a plus — he’s been in on 11 tackles in three games — it doesn’t end there. As “the old man on the team,” as Rodman describes himself, he takes pride in his mentorship role of the younger players.
“It’s so bittersweet,” said Rodman about being the oldest player on the team. “I tell the freshmen that I wish I was in their shoes. I tell them they’re setting themselves up for success for when they are seniors. Coach Murphy really wanted me to be a mentor and leader and I’m really embracing that role.”
Southwest Baptist at Lake Erie
When: 6 p.m., Sept. 25
Where: Jack Britt Stadium
Records: Southwest Baptist 0-3, Lake Erie 3-0
