Stephen Hodge Article

[Stallion]

FOOTBALL: Hodge looks back on high school career at Tatum

By JACK STALLARD

Saturday, January 15, 2005

(Editor's note: Tatum senior Stephen Hodge is considered one of the state's top football recruits. He recently finished his high school football career, helping lead Tatum to a 28-10 record in 38 varsity starts at quarterback and piling up more than 8,700 total yards to go along with 99 touchdowns. Longview News-Journal sports writer Jack Stallard has followed Hodge on the recruiting path since national signing day in February of 2004. This is the ninth in a series of meetings with Hodge that will discuss the recruiting process, which will conclude when Hodge signs a national letter-of-intent on Feb. 2, 2005. Hodge has taken one official visit, and has another planned for Jan. 7. The series will resume on Jan. 16, with updates to follow on Jan. 23 and Jan. 30. E-mail any questions for Hodge to Jack Stallard at [email protected]).|


Q: Your season, and high school career, came to an end three weeks ago with a 60-35 loss to eventual state champion Gilmer in the regional finals. The Eagles finished 12-2, with the only other loss being a 27-24 overtime loss to a Palestine team that finished 11-3 and reached the regional semifinals. I know you were disappointed when the season ended, but have you had a chance these past few weeks to reflect on what a great year you and the Eagles had?

A: A little. It was an outstanding season and a lot of fun. I never thought it would go by so fast.


Q: The same could be said about your career. It doesn't seem possible that your high school career is over. Same question. Tatum went 28-10 during your three varsity seasons, and personally, you put up some incredible numbers. Have you had a chance to sit back and think about what you and the Eagles accomplished the past three years?

A: It has been an amazing three years. I didn't want it to end, but it did. I have no regrets. The coaching change was tough, but I came to really like coach (Andy) Evans. I really liked playing for both coach Evans and coach (Mike) Sorenson.


Q: I'm going to read you some numbers, and I want to see if you know what they are: 4,284 and 51; 4,457, 48 and 18. Any idea.

A: Rushing and passing numbers?


Q: Yes. By numbers, you rushed for 4,284 yards and 51 touchdowns on 582 carries and completed 290 of 520 passes for 4,457 yards with 48 touchdowns and 18 interceptions. Did you think three years ago when you came up as a sophomore you would put up those kind of numbers?

A: No, not really, but it was a fun ride.


Q: You went right from football to basketball. How is that going?

A: I've played some, but I am sitting out for a little while. I'll start back up when district starts.


Q: Have you gone on any visits yet?

A: I just got back from TCU. It was a lot of fun. I was up there with Cody Glenn from Rusk.


Q: Glenn has given a verbal commitment to Nebraska, hasn't he?

A: Yes, but he's taking some other visits.


Q: What other visits do you have set up for the next month?

A: I'm going to SMU on Jan. 7, Baylor on Jan. 14 and Houston on Jan. 21.


Q: Sounds like you are sticking close to home. Any frontrunners yet?

A: Not really. I'm just playing it by ear, right now.

[Ponymon]

Well he didn't commit to us after his January 7th visit. Are we still in the running?

[PK]

He didn't commit to TCU either nor Baylor...yet. Sounds like he is going to take all of his visits before declaring.

[Stallion]

everybody assumed Baylor or maybe TCU were his favorites and no one at Baylor is claiming a commitment even though he has relatives that starred at Baylor. No news is good news.

[Stampede]

He better hurry...we may be full and had to turn him loose.

[Stallion]

We are not full if a guy like Stephen Hodge says yes-I don't care what you are "hearing". There is no limit until almost 7 months from today. We'd make room. If we don't get him it will be because he didn't chose SMU.

[PK]

Which brings up a point...how do the JUCOs who signed their LOI's before the end of the year get counted? Do they count against last year's allotment or against this year's allotment of scholarships?

[Stallion]

If there were still remaining scholarships under the 25 man limit for the prior year(2004) and the JUCOs attend this semester they can count toward 2004. However, our real problem is the 85 man limit, but theoretically we could take well over the 25 man limit in 2005 (counting the JUCOs in 2004) if there were room under the 85 man limit.

[PK]

Thanks for the explanation. I suppose there may be some scholies available this semester assuming a few might have flunked out...but that is pure speculation on my part.

[HFvictory]

everybody assumed Baylor or maybe TCU were his favorites and no one at Baylor is claiming a commitment even though he has relatives that starred at Baylor. No news is good news.

TCU thinks he is coming along with Corderra Hunter & James Pierce. Insiders is reporting the switch from Tech.