Here’s the story of a man named Brady, who has been throwing touchdowns by the bunch.
He had four touchdown passes Friday at Willard, yet he is most often left all alone.
Brady Dodd actually has his share of friends at Ozark and presumably is a big man on campus as the Tigers’ quarterback. But he has seemingly been anonymous outside of Ozark's camp, despite numbers that usually would attract plenty of attention.
Dodd could have been a candidate for All-COC Third-Team recognition last year. But the league’s coaches opted not to even name a quarterback on their third team.
This year, Dodd did not make the lists of top quarterbacks in southwest Missouri by pre-season pundits. One publication named as many 10 QBs ahead of him.
“I don’t look on-line for that kind of stuff,” Dodd said. “It’s all trivial to me.”
Four weeks into this season and Dodd is the answer to a trivia question only Ozark followers would know.
Can you name the area QB who owns a .638 completion percentage, having made good on 30-of-47 pass attempts for 501 yards and seven touchdowns without being guilty of an interception?
Furthermore, who is the area QB with a career stat line that includes 77-of-129 passing for 1,396 yards, 16 touchdowns and three interceptions?
Dodd’s QB Rating this season is 139.3.
But if you don’t read the Headliner News, chances are you aren’t aware of Dodd.
Dodd is simply enjoying every moment of his senior season, not concerned that his appreciation society is seemingly confined to Ozark.
“Respect is not something I look for. It’s definitely not my top priority,” Dodd said. “Respect from the guys in the locker room is about the only thing I care about.
“I’m just grateful to be out here,” he added. “Not everybody gets to be a varsity quarterback. I’m grateful for that.”
Ozark’s receivers and Tigers coach Chad Depee are among those endorsing Dodd and all he brings to the Tigers.
“We feel confident with Brady’s arm and that he’s going to get us the ball in the right spot,” receiver Ethan Sutherland said.
“He’s a good athlete. He’s faster than you think he is. He’s quicker than you think he is. He’s got a better arm than you think he has,’ Depee said of Dodd being underestimated. “He knows what we’re looking for. He manages well. That’s why he’s our guy.”
Dodd accounted for six touchdowns against Willard, running for two scores in addition to his four scoring strikes. Likewise, he had three touchdown passes and three touchdown runs while throwing for 318 yards against eventual Class 5 state champion Webb City last year.
The Cardinals visit Ozark this week
“This gave me flashbacks to Webb City,” Dodd said after the win at Willard. “Webb City is all I’m thinking about now and what we can do to improve from here.”