No matter how good a lick you get on the Athens Drive running back, it won't be the hardest hit he's had to endure since football season began.

That hit came from a bus.

Late last month, Rodgers was riding on a scooter.

He saw a bus coming at him.

The bus stopped, but Rodgers and his scooter did not.

Rodgers became separated from the scooter, skidding along the pavement and sliding under the bus.

Talk about a de-cleater.

Just one day earlier, Rodgers evaded tacklers and scored a touchdown for the Jaguars in a 21-14 win over Sanderson.

His elusiveness continued when he somehow came away from the accident without any broken bones.

Just a V-shaped gash on his leg, albeit one that took 70 stitches to close up.

Rodgers suffered some road rash, as he had skin knocked off his hand and left knee.

"It was ugly," Athens coach Jeff Smouse said. "I wouldn't want to be him."

It took four days for Rodgers to be released from the hospital. One might think he'd be out for the season.

But Rodgers' is expected to be back to playing football in about three weeks.

Is there a tougher player in the Tri-Nine Conference?

No one would blame Rodgers for trying to just recover in peace this football season and hope to return his senior year.

And upon return, no one would expect anything more than some caution as he gets used to playing again.

But when a bus can't even take you out of the game, there's no hit any opposing linebacker or safety can dish out that'll put fear in Rodgers.

It's a lesson in determination and grit. It's about being knocked down and getting back up to do something you love.

That'll serve Rodgers well at his next stop in life.

But don't blame him if it's not a bus stop.