Andrew Rodriguez excited to lead North Vermillion football into the future

CAYUGA, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — The North Vermillion Falcons have a new face leading the charge in 2024 and beyond.

Andrew Rodriguez takes over the Falcon football program after the departure of previous head coach Brian Crabtree who coached North Vermillion for 12 years winning the program’s only state title in 2014.

Rodriguez says the rich football tradition at North Vermillion is something that excites him about the job.

“That was one of the biggest things that drew me here was the success that they’ve had and the tradition,” Rodriguez said. “To come in and take over a program that’s had that kind of success and implementing what I want to do it’s been great. The people here are great, the community is great, and they absolutely love football.”

Falcons seniors Andrew Botner and Matthew Dawson think Rodriguez has hit the ground running so far as head coach.

“”I think Coach Rodriguez he brings a lot of energy, a lot of positivity,” Botner said. “He’s done a lot of good things, love what he’s done in the weight room. He’s just a great guy in general and I’m ready to play for him this year.”

“He’s been a great role model for us,” Dawson said. He’s taught us stuff that we might be hearing for the first time, or he might be teaching it in a different way, and it’s really been a smooth transition from Coach Crabtree to Coach Rodriguez.”

The Falcons are coming off an 8-4 season in 2023 with a loss in the sectional championship game. Coach Rodriguez says winning the Wabash River Conference is a major goal in his first season.

“”We want to win the WRC. This conference has a lot of great teams and some really great coaches so for us to do that it’s going to be really tough but it’s got to be really competitive,” Rodriguez said. “I think the kids understand what it takes, and they’ve seen it happen you know what I mean that state championship was only 10 years ago. A lot of kids watched those guys and they’re all going to be here on Friday night to watch them play and hopefully we can get a win and continue that journey on to make a playoff run.”

The Falcons open up the season Friday night at 7 p.m. against the North Central Thunderbirds. You can see highlights of the game at 11 on Goin’ 2 the Endzone only on WTWO.

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