CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — On a Wednesday night, the lights at Cabaniss Stadium shine bright. It's not for a game of high school football or soccer but rather middle school football.
Young athletes strap on the pads and play in front of their friends and family.
And for the coaches of Baker and Cunningham middle schools, they are also performing in front of family. That family happens to be across on the opposite sidelines.
Jaime and Javier Rodriguez are coaches for the two middle schools. They are also father and son.
"I know that we are in for a battle," said Jaime Rodriguez, the father and coach at Cunningham Middle School.
It is a story as old as time: the master and the student. Whether we see it in our favorite books, movies or comic books, that theme is always there. The student learning from his teacher. For years, Jaime taught his son Javier.
"He grew up coaching me and this is all so special because we are family," said Javier.
Wins, losses and bragging rights are on the line when the two coaches now face off against each other. But as time as passed and the two have grown, that seems less and less important.
"Looking across the field and seeing him coach I get myself out of the game," added Jaime. "I'm just so proud of him."
Things are constantly changing for most all of us. One thing that has been constant in the Rodriguez family: football.
"It adds to the legacy," added Javier. "It's been rooted in our family."
On that Wednesday night, Javier got the best of his dad. Now it's time for his dad to pay up.
"I have to fix him barbecue him BBQ now," he said.
