Happy find

The newcomer knew the most dramatic way to introduce himself to the crowd.

Rock Bridge freshman Andrew Byrd returned the opening kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown against Bishop Gorman on Saturday. It was the first time Byrd touched the ball for Rock Bridge.

Fans will be able to watch Byrd and the Bruins for the first time tonight. After three road games, Class 6 No. 1 Rock Bridge (3-0) will play its first home game against Hazelwood West (1-2) at 7 p.m.

Freshmen rarely play varsity football, especially on a team as deep and talented as the Bruins. But Byrd’s confidence and skills belie his age.

“I just want to touch the ball, put it in my hands and do what I do,” he said.

Rock Bridge coach A.J. Ofodile had heard about Byrd before practice officially started this summer. Ofodile knows Byrd’s father, who made sure to tell the coach about his son’s talent.

“Of course, like all dads, he told me his son was a pretty good player,” Ofodile said, “so I took that with a grain of salt.”

On the first day of practice, Byrd lived up to his father’s hype. Ofodile said he was impressed with Byrd’s physical maturity and speed.

“We had one that dropped in our lap,” Ofodile said.

Byrd moved from Sedalia over the summer. He lives with his father, who works at Rock Bridge.

Because of the move, Byrd had to wait to show off his talents under the lights. The Missouri State High School Activities Association had to review Byrd’s transfer to ensure it was not made for athletic purposes. Byrd was declared eligible last Friday, in time to suit up for the Bishop Gorman game.

Byrd has already endeared himself to his teammates. While Byrd was recounting his kickoff return after Wednesday’s practice, guard and defensive lineman Jason Reddy yelled, “It was all the blockers.”

Though Byrd is only a freshman, he knows where he wants to end up.

“I want to be one of those people who get a scholarship, go to a big college and play Division-I ball,” he said.

He has plenty of mentors. The Bruins have many players who will compete in college, including running back Scott Concannon, a Northwestern recruit.

Byrd has already proven he’s a worthy successor to the future Wildcat running back. Concannon was the last freshman to return a kickoff for a touchdown, Ofodile said.

While Byrd will continue to return kickoffs, Ofodile said the Bruins’ backfield will be quite crowded against Hazelwood West. Running back and linebacker Andrew Adams has recovered from shoulder problems and will play tonight. Despite the logjam at running back, Ofodile said he hopes Byrd gets some touches because he deserves the ball.

The Bruins’ surfeit of talent has overwhelmed its opponents. Rock Bridge has outscored its adversaries 107-21 in three games.

Ofodile said he’s satisfied with the team’s start. The Bruins can still improve, he said, especially by cutting down on penalties.