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LEADING WITH POSITIVITY: Fun, Happiness Drives Bush's Omodia
PAUL OMODIA LOVES TO PUTSMILES ON PEOPLE’S FACES. THEFORT BEND BUSH SENIOR HASMANY WAYS OF DOING SO: One way is through music.
Omodia loves to sing. “People tell me I’m good,” he said. “I love to express myself through lyrics.” Whether it’s Heart & Soul by YoungBoy Never Broke Again and Birdman, or Fantasia’s When I See U, the young man can belt out a tune. Another way is through his personality. Omodia doesn’t just preach making the best out of what you’ve got. He lives by it. He is an encourager, an optimist; a welcomed presence in these days and times. But where Omodia might bring out the most smiles is with his play on the football field.
The 6-foot-2, 181-pounder can play, and play very well, in all three phases of the game—as a defensive back, a receiver or a returner on special teams. “I started playing football when I was four years old,” Omodia said. “I fell in love with it because, honestly, it takes my mind off the world.” Omodia can seem mean or aloof. Fiery and no nonsensical. He has to be that way on the field, where he totaled 26 tackles and an interception in eight games last year for the Broncos as a first-team, all district performer.
But off it, he’s happy. Kind-hearted. Empathetic. Just some of the reasons why he’s eager to assume more of a leadership role this season. “I’m a big brother that you can look up to,” Omodia said. “A happy big brother that you can trust off and on the field. I lead in a happy way. I just want to keep smiles on people’s faces.” Omodia spoke more with VYPE.
VYPE: How do you think you’ll be a better player this season than last year?
OMODIA: Knowing this is my last year playing high school football, I know I need to be a leader and grind harder for the following classes.
VYPE: What are some of the things you’ve been working on in the summer and offseason to get better?
OMODIA: I’ve been on the summer track, improving my speed and lifting weights. I want to be able to create more turnovers and put more points on the board.
VYPE: Which players do you look up to as role models, and why?
OMODIA: Jalen Ramsey and Deion Sanders, two greats that played the game and had that dog and swag to them. They changed the game for me.
VYPE: What is something people don’t know about you?
OMODIA: I only listen to one artist, YoungBoy. And I love to swim. I wanted to be a pro swimmer and pro football player.
VYPE: What would make this a successful senior season for you?
OMODIA: I want to get past the second round of the playoffs to make Bush history. We’ve never made it past the second round, so it would be an accomplished goal for me and the whole Broncos staff.
After a tough start to the season, Fort Bend Bush is 4-0 in District 20-6A play.
Defense, run game spur Broncos' win streak
Winning the turnover battle and stronger production in the run game have Fort Bend Bush on a four-game winning streak after starting the season 0-3. More leaders and better buy-in from players have the Broncos already three wins better than they were last season.
"We're just more committed to each other. We're playing more as a team and we're getting these wins we need," senior running back Adrian Cormier said. "I think we have more leaders. More players that want to play football and coaches who all buy in to the program and want to see the best in all of us."
Bush, coming off a 1-6 2020 season, had a challenging non-district slate that consisted of Fort Bend Hightower, College Station and Alief Taylor. The Broncos were blown out by Hightower and College Station, who have a combined record of 13-1. They fell by a touchdown to 3-4 Taylor.
"We talked at the beginning of the season about improving every week and improving on mistakes," coach Allen Aldridge said. "The guys have stayed on top of that, along with the coaches. We had some tough games at first, but they prepared us for district. We've learned to stay consistent every game."
What's mattered most is the Broncos' play in District 20-6A. They've run rampant. Bush is 4-0 in district, thanks to a furious defense that has allowed a total of 15 points on an average of 111.5 yards allowed per game.
"We hang our hat on our defense," Aldridge said. "My defensive coordinator, Coach (Javin) Thornton, has been with me since 2008, and he's very good at what he does. Teams know what we're going to do. We're a very attacking defense. We're going to bring pressure. We play a lot of man."
Bush's defense is ignited by its secondary, and the secondary is led by versatile senior free safety/cornerback Dantonio Hackworth Jr. Hackworth is tied for the district lead in interceptions with four.
I know somebody needs a CB/S with IQ like this……..C/O 2022 #21 Dantonio Hackworth @21_dantonio #THEBushHS https://t.co/lqpR6Ec031— Coach Jerome Wilson (@Coach Jerome Wilson) 1633879977.0
"Everything is different," Hackworth said of the defense. "We all got big in the weight room, and our coaches give us a great game plan to execute against our opponents. It starts with the D-line making plays and the linebackers putting pressure on the quarterback to get the defensive backs interceptions. We all click as one."
The 6-foot, 155-pound Hackworth, whose added strength has enabled better physicality jamming receivers, is being humble. Aldridge said the defense goes as Hackworth goes.
"He's our leader. He can go," Aldridge said. "He can tackle, he can cover. He's rangy, sideline to sideline. He's becoming a leader and embracing all that comes with that. He's leading our captains leadership meeting every Monday morning. He's vocal on the field and the sidelines."
Offensively, Cormier has been a rock of stability. With the loss of senior running back Nelvens Borgella two games ago to injury, Cormier has carried the brunt of the Broncos' run-oriented offense.
Cormier has 638 yards and three touchdowns on 118 carries, an "outstanding year," Aldridge said.
"I have shown the team I'm giving 100 percent, and they will follow," Cormier said. "I think this year I have a bigger voice on the team, with a leadership role."
665 yards rushing , 4 TDS Mid Season highlight - https://t.co/BuW9bpzUsd— adrian cormier (@adrian cormier) 1634732035.0
Bush has significant momentum. It is undoubtedly playing great football, its best in quite some time.
But the Broncos aren't in the clear just yet. The toughest portion of their schedule remains, as George Ranch (2-2 20-6A), Ridge Point (4-0) and Clements (2-2) linger.
Still, Bush will be no easy out. Just ask Travis, which is 3-1 in district play, with that one loss coming to the Broncos.
"It's going to take our dedication and how bad we want it to keep it going," Hackworth said. "It's been unreal. Everybody is starting to notice what we can do now, but we're not going to let it distract us from our main goal."