Football a way of life for the Dodge family
Football a way of life for the Dodge family

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By Jake Trotter

Published: August 31, 2007

Just after Todd Dodge moved his family to a new house in April, a storm blew a tree onto his car.

"I guess we'll have to get another tree,” he told his wife, Elizabeth.

Not long after that, the power went out on the Dodge's side of the street during the summer.

"He went to sleep without any air,” Elizabeth said. "I guess it didn't bother him.”

Dodge's even temperament — which Elizabeth said he shares with their son, Riley — helped make him of the one most successful Texas high school coaches in history in just seven seasons at Southlake Carroll.

That demeanor may also help Dodge turn around North Texas, which travels to Norman to face the Sooners on Saturday.

"I think it has a lot do with him being a quarterback, being the guy,” Elizabeth said. "Riley's a lot like that.

"I think it's just what they've been, and it's transferred to their whole lives.”

The Dodge's live quite the football lives.

Dodge was hired in the off-season to revive the Mean Green, following a 48-game win streak and four state titles at Carroll.

Before that, Dodge was Texas' starting quarterback in the mid-1980s.

And he's passed on the quarterback pedigree to Riley, now a senior at Carroll.

Riley, who committed to play at Texas last year, was the Class 5A offensive player of the year as a junior last season after throwing for 4,237 yards and 54 touchdowns.

"My son and I, we have a tremendous relationship,” said Dodge, who coached Riley the last three years at Carroll. "We are bound and bonded by the game of football.”

Even Elizabeth has football connections.

Her father, Ebbie Neptune, was a longtime Austin-area high school football coach and administrator.

And her best friend at the elementary school she taught at until this year?

Sandra Applewhite, mom of former UT quarterback, Major Applewhite.

But the Dodge family's tranquility was tested earlier this year when Neptune, also Riley's best friend, suffered a massive stroke in January.

For weeks, it didn't appear that Neptune would survive.

"We didn't know if he'd be with us very long,” Riley said.

But gradually, Neptune got better.

Both Dodge and Riley said their strength helped with Neptune's recovery.

"The quarterback position teaches you to be that way,” Riley said. "I think it has carried over to my grandfather's situation.

"You can't carry your feelings on your shoulders.”

This summer, Riley decided to change his commitment from Texas to North Texas to not only play for his dad, but so Neptune — who is recovering in a facility just north of McKinney, which is located near Denton — could watch him play.

"It was the best decision for our family, and Riley made it on his own,” Dodge said.

"He and his grandfather are very close, and that was the biggest part of the decision for him.

"And for me, it was going to be tough not being able to watch him play.”