Whenever Harlem fullback Rod Anderson would set up behind center, everyone on the Aquinas sideline yelled out the formation and the play that was about to happen. Unfortunately for the Fightin' Irish, even when they knew what was coming, there was nothing that they could do to stop it.
Anderson would not only help the Bulldogs get some critical first downs, but he'd also find the end zone three times in Harlem's 21-14 victory over Aquinas on Friday, Oct. 10. It was a career high for touchdowns in a game for him -- in fact, they are the first three rushing touchdowns in his career.
"I just kept my head low and kept driving," Anderson said. "We just kept shoving."
His first score came on a 15-yard touchdown run in which he shed defenders on the edge and barreled through the safety to the end zone. His second score came from 2 yards out and finished the Harlem scoring with a 1-yard scoring run.
All three scores came out of the wildcat formation.
"It's always part of our game plan, it's always available," Harlem coach Mark Boiter said. "We felt like we needed to get that extra blocker in there. And it made the difference in some key spots."
Anderson's big night wasn't in the gameplan, though. Coming into the game, the junior only had one carry for eight yards through six games this season. Typically, the Bulldogs look to their seniors, like running back Malik Tyler or wide receiver Jayden Futrell, when they need points.
And they did their part. Tyler had multiple big runs for first downs, and Futrell had both a key catch and interception late that ended the Fightin' Irish's chances of coming back.
But that's what most have come to expect out of Harlem. Opposing teams gameplan against those two weapons whenever the Bulldogs take the field. But with Anderson's outburst, it showed just how adaptable and dynamic this offense can be on any given night.
"It's nice to be able to throw it and run it with different guys and use different personnel groupings, different looks to try to confuse the defense," Boiter said. "If you can do a little bit of everything, I think it gives you an advantage."
The win for Harlem gives them an advantage over Aquinas in the Region 4-3A standings. The Bulldogs move to 6-1 on the season, while the Fightin' Irish drop to 5-2. With only three games left in the regular season, Boiter is looking to continue to see how his offense can find ways to win games. And while touchdowns from Anderson might not be in the scouting report going forward, he'll always be ready when his number is called.
"If we need me," Anderson said. "If it's tight and we need to get a first down, yeah."