Hudson's Bay running back Marco Cadiz runs over a would-be tackler during a game against Rochester. (Paul Morse/for The Columbian)
The running back finds open field for 10, 20, maybe 30 yards.
He could get the first down.
He could score.
He could start thinking about the statistics, the individual glory.
Stop. Right. There.
That’s where you lose Marcus “Marco” Cadiz.
This is not just one of the top talents on the Hudson’s Bay football team. He is one of the leaders, too. He cannot lead if anyone thinks this thing is all about him.
“It feels good when you’re running and you’re breaking free, and in your head, you’re thinking, ‘I’m helping the team out. I’m giving them something positive,'” Cadiz said.
Hudson’s Bay football and positive have not always gone together. The Eagles have not won as many as three games in a season since 2009. But the vibe started to change last season under new coach Mark Oliverio. While the team only recorded two wins in 2015, the players knew they were making progress, competing in several of the losses.
“Last year we were the almost team,” Cadiz said. “We want to be the team instead of the almost team.”
A big step in that direction would be a league win as a new member of the Class 3A Greater St. Helens League. The Eagles take on Evergreen at 8 p.m. Friday at Kiggins Bowl in the first league game of the season for both teams.
“If we practice hard, we’ll play hard, and good things will happen,” Cadiz said. “We know what we can do. We just have to show everyone else what we can do.”
The Eagles are 1-1 this September. They had a close loss to La Salle of Milwaukie, Ore, then came home last week for a big win over Rochester.
The key to that victory came the day after the loss, Cadiz said, when the team met on Saturday to go over the video.
Instead of a negative, bring-the-team down talk, the Eagles remained positive.
“I told the team we needed to come out strong, focused. When we’re focused, we execute things so perfectly,” Cadiz said.
The offensive line has been solid for both weeks, allowing Cadiz, a junior, to rush for 311 yards and five touchdowns.
Oliverio said Cadiz brings so much more than skill to the Eagles. On the football field, in the classroom, in the community, Cadiz is the example of what high school athletics is supposed to be about, the coach said.
“If every school had five Marcos, it would be an incredible thing,” Oliverio said. “He’s just a great, great kid. If we’re doing anything in the community, he’s the first to volunteer. He does stuff for other people in a natural way, not for recognition. It’s just part of his make-up.”
He is the same way on the practice field, Oliverio said, noting that Cadiz is almost like a player-coach, always praising teammates or giving tips.
Cadiz was blown away when he heard of his coach’s comments.
“I don’t know what to say to that,” Cadiz said, shaking his head. “I do like helping people. When people are down, I like to bring them up. I’ll tell them, ‘I know how good you are. You can do better.'”
That might come naturally to Cadiz, but Cadiz also noted that this positive energy is all part of the new Hudson’s Bay. Not just football, but all sports. Cadiz plays basketball and baseball for the Eagles, as well. Athletes in other sports are feeling good about themselves, too.
“We have a winning attitude,” Cadiz said.
The football program should get a lot of that credit.
“Every coach is so cool. They get on us because they care about us, but they’re so chill,” Cadiz said. “They just want us to show our full potential. I have a special bond with every one of the coaches on the team.”
Hudson’s Bay attracted a decent crowd for its first home game. Cadiz said he and the Eagles noticed — and appreciated — the support. He remembers as a freshman all the negativity surrounding the team.
“Now everybody’s excited,” he said. “People come up to you and say, ‘Hope you do good today.'”
That is one of Cadiz’s goals every day — to “do good.” For his teammates. For his school.
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