Breck, led by 6-5 quarterback, matches win total of last season in first three games

David Roddy's Breck teammates use phrases like "made in a lab" to describe their 6-5, 250-pound quarterback.

"He's a very athletic Ben Roethlisberger," wide receiver Ethan Guell said.

Roddy used that powerful build and strong arm to help the Mustangs to a 3-0 start heading into a matchup this past Friday with Minneapolis North. The junior quarterback had thrown for 840 yards and 11 touchdowns in those three games, helping Breck surpass its victory total from last season.

"The confidence level is through the roof," Roddy said. "The chemistry is there, so we can show up to games and we know what we can do. We believe we can win every single game that we play."

It's a mind-set that's taken several years to cultivate. Roddy began his tenure as Breck's quarterback in ninth grade in the midst of a 3-7 season. The team went 2-7 last season with a squad led largely by sophomores.

Players took the offseason more seriously this year, said Roddy's brother, Josh, a senior wide receiver. Coach Jon Martin also attributes the team's success to the fact that the players are bigger, smarter, stronger and faster.

"They're not sophomores playing against seniors anymore," he said.

"The kids have so much confidence that he'll make a play that they don't panic," Martin said. "That's different than in the past years."

Roddy's teammates appear to share the sentiment. Guell noted Roddy's strong arm and ability to extend plays with his legs, while offensive lineman Isaac Luten noted Roddy's ability to bail out the offensive line and brush off tackles. Others highlighted his athleticism and running ability.

"It just doesn't make sense how he can move," running back Elijah Zackery said. "People that we play, especially in the secondary, are afraid to tackle him. You'll see him run at them and they'll kind of like hesitate to go."

Roddy is the youngest of four boys in a family of athletes. His dad wrestled, played football and ran track, while his mom was a runner and skier, he said.

His oldest brother played college basketball at several lower-profile schools, while Josh, the third of the four boys, plays basketball for Breck as well.

"If he's not careful, he's going to get some track offers, too," Martin said jokingly.

Roddy was mum on which sport he could see himself playing after high school.

"I can't really make that decision right quick," he said. "I'm just trying to have as much fun as I can, trying to keep my options open."

For now, his focus is on football. His team averaged more than 35 points a game through three games and was ranked eighth in last week's Associated Press Class 3A poll. He and his teammates appear to have the confidence that they could beat anyone.