Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
NAPPANEE -ÊAsk just about any football coach in the area and he will say that he's glad Charlie Roeder is a senior this year.
After their teams have played against him for three years, they have had just about enough.
And the quarterback position is where Roeder has always wanted to be.
"I've always wanted to to be a quarterback," said Roeder. "When I was in eighth grade, my brother (Andy Roeder) was a senior in high school, and he was the varsity quarterback.
"That year NorthWood had a great team, and they were expected to go to state. My brother broke his leg in the sectional. Ever since then I have wanted to finish what he started.
"He always worked hard in the offseason, and I know how bad he wanted it. I learned a lot from him."
Roeder has started at the quarterback position on NorthWood's varsity squad since his sophomore year and had been wreaking havoc on opposing defenses ever since.
"From his sophomore year to now, Charlie has become more comfortable with his leadership role," said NorthWood coach Rich Dodson.
"He has always had the skills to do well, but his decision-making has improved since he has had more experience at the quarterback position."
"I think I am physically stronger than I was as a sophomore, but I have definitely improved in the mental part of the game," said Roeder.
"I used to just throw the ball to the guy I was told to or throw it away. Now I can read the defenses better and make better decisions when I throw the ball. I have improved mentally, especially from my junior year to my senior year. Andy will help me watch game film and show me what I need to do to improve."
Andy is obviously a good teacher. Roeder is ranked 13th in the state in passing, leads the Panthers in rushing and pitches in on the defensive side of the ball as well.
To this point in the season, Roeder has completed 112 of 215 passes for 1,929 yards and 19 touchdowns. He also has rushed 121 times for 902 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Defensively, he has racked up 25 tackles (three for a loss), one interception and one fumble recovery.
With those numbers, Roeder has his choice of many colleges to play football.
"I don't know where I'm going yet, I haven't decided," said Roeder. "I'm looking at Illinois, Wisconsin and some MAC schools, but nothing is definite yet."
But Roeder's work at NorthWood is not quite done. He hopes to lead the Panthers much farther in the postseason.
"I think we are a team that will be outsized sometimes, but there is no team out there who wants it more than we do," said Roeder. "Our team has definitely improved since the start of the season. Our receivers are better, and our timing patterns have improved. The offensive line gives me more time in the pocket so I can throw the ball.
"But I would not be where I am without my teammates. They have gotten me out of some real jams."
"I think Charlie utilizes the talent around him," said Dodson. "He helps make everyone around him play better. He has worked hard to get where he is.
"He is very athletic, and he does the kinds of things you expect from those kinds of athletes."
Roeder and his teammates will take the field Friday at 7:30 p.m. when they host the New Haven Bulldogs in Nappanee.
Bill Sharpe, Jimtown football coach -Ê"I have coached against him three times because he has been starting since he was a freshman. Charlie surprises a lot of people because he is fast and stong. Granted, he can throw the ball, but I think he is more of a threat as a runner. The hardest thing about defending him is that he is a running quarterback. If you look at him, you don't think he would be as fast and as strong as he is. In football terms, we call him seriously fast. In my 20 years coaching here, he is certainly one of the best quarterbacks I have coached against. I would say Charlie Roeder, Rick Mirer and Joe Bennett are the three best quarterbacks I have coached against."
Phil Jensen, Warsaw football coach -Ê"Charlie's a great athlete with a lot of poise and experience. He's been starting now forever. Big players make big plays in big games. He rises to the level of his challenge. If something needs to happen for NorthWood, he is the guy who can make it happen. He is one of the best athletes I've seen. He had the ability to make big plays. A number of times in our game that we thought we had him, but he got away. That has been the case for three years. His athleticism and competitiveness make him even better."
Tim Dawson, Concord football coach -Ê"I'm definitely glad he's a senior, that way we won't have to play against him anymore. He is a very talented young man. He makes things happen. If you take Charlie Roeder out of the NorthWood offense, it is not as capable to make the big plays. He is a big impact player, he makes things happen. He is competitive and he likes to win. He will do whatever he can to help his team win. Charlie is a play maker. He's big, has good speed, and he has that savvy. He is a complete football player. As a coach, you want to have him on your team, but you sure don't want to have to play against him."
Tom Condon, Plymouth football coach - "I'm glad he's graduating. I'm glad he's a senior and moving on to play college ball next year. A lot of players can hurt you with their arm or hurt you with the run. Charlie is a quarterback who can hurt you with his arm or with his run. What makes him dangerous is his ability to escape. He is difficult to defend. When he was a sophomore and junior, I was not sure he could play at the Division I level. Now I have no doubt he has progressed and can play at that level. He worked hard between his junior and senior years and he has developed into a solid, all-around quarterback."
Rich Dodson, NorthWood football coach -Ê"I can understand where other coaches are coming from. He has been a great contributor to our team. He has had his four years at NorthWood, and after this season, it will be time for him to move on."
Charlie Roeder -Ê"It's an honor to know that I have earned the respect of other coaches. I have worked hard to get where I am right now, it's not just pure talent. I could not have done what I have without my teammates. They deserve a lot of credit, too."
