Pryce Rochford helps Edgewood-Colesburg post strong start

EDGEWOOD — Pryce Rochford recalled being on the sideline at the UNI-Dome.

He was in middle school when he watched his older brothers, Preston and Parker, play in the Class A state semifinals for their dad and Edgewood-Colesburg Coach James Rochford. The younger Rochford envisioned being in their position someday.

“I was on the sidelines with my dad,” Pryce said. “I was like this would be pretty cool (but) it would be even cooler if we’re playing here and pretty much have the whole town come and watch you.”

Pryce has done a little bit of everything for the Vikings, helping them to a 5-0 start and a shot at the 8-Player District 5 title. Ed-Co could all but seal the district title with a home victory over Springville Friday.

“We are playing pretty good but there is still a lot to learn,” Pryce said. “There is a higher level we need to reach if we want to make it to the Dome or far in the playoffs. I think we all know we can be better and it’s not just winning our district. We want to win in the playoffs, too.”

The goal is to return to the UNI-Dome for the state semifinals for the first time since he watched his brothers take the turf in 2018. The entire team is determined to finish the season in Cedar Falls.

“They went to the Dome when Preston was a senior,” James said. “He was on the sideline throwing balls back and forth. He’s wanted to go back.”

The 5-foot-10, 195-pound senior has been a versatile component in the team’s success. He has 1,462 offensive yards, including 1,101 rushing. Rochford ranks second in the state with 18 rushing touchdowns and fourth with 29 total TDs. He has passed for seven scores.

Interestingly, Pryce attempts to get the ball to teammates when possible. He has been known to audible to get a running back a chance to score or a wide receiver to touch the ball. James said Pryce attempted to get a 2-point conversion to center Will Wiskus.

“I like spreading the love,” Pryce said. “That’s what I like to call it.”

The statistics and results garner attention but he would rather deflect to others.

“He’s a very unselfish kid,” James Rochford said. “That’s a key to him. He knows, too, that we’re not going to go to the Dome without him but we’re not going to the Dome with only him.”

Defensively, he has 32 tackles, 21 solo, two fumble recoveries and two interceptions. Rochford returned both fumbles and one of the interceptions for TDs.

“There are a lot of people on the team that make the team great,” Pryce said. “I’m not the most important but I’m trying to be a good leader.”

The preferred leadership method is by action. Coach Rochford noted his son isn’t the most verbal player and leads more by example. Wiskus is the vocal captain. When Pryce talks, he receives the full attention from his teammates.

“He’s doing well,” James Rochford said said. “He’ll have a smart comment here or a smart comment there. He’s just not a kid who is going to run his mouth too much. When he speaks, they listen.”

Pryce has had the path paved for him by older brothers, Payton, Preston and Parker. Preston, who serves as an Ed-Co assistant, amassed more than 3,700 offensive yards and 50 TDs from 2015-18 before going to Wartburg. Parker, a senior All-American for the Knights, tallied 4,462 offensive yards and 53 total scores from 2017-20. Pryce already has 4,267 offensive yards and 76 TDs.

“He has followed in their footsteps to a point but he wants to exceed all of their footsteps,” James Rochford said. “He looks at what they did and he wants to do a step more.”

It boils down to the good-natured rivalry between siblings. They will talk trash with one another and strive for bragging rights. Pryce has an advantage in strength. He even claims an edge in basketball and maybe baseball or track but football is yet to be determined.

Even card games during family functions are highly contested.

“Pretty much everything is a competition,” Pryce said. “When we’re playing a board game, it’s a competition. It will be really competitive.”

James said he gets a laugh out the interactions. It is apparent they still want the best for the other.

“They go back and forth,” James Rochford said. “It’s comical but it’s still fun. Older brothers aren’t harsh on him. They are pretty realistic, understanding and supportive.”

James has fielded questions from people outside the family about which of the four brothers is better. Each has unique skills and body styles. The commonality is they use their strengths to their fullest.

“They’re just different,” James Rochford said. “They all have a special talent, so to speak. They’re not built the same. Preston was a more cutting runner. Not that Pryce can’t cut but he is 5-foot-10 and 195 pounds. He doesn’t move as fast as Preston did so he’s probably going to go over you. Preston could easily go around you. Parker was clearly a go-around you kid. He was going to be in the open.”

The Vikings survived an early test, scoring a TD and 2-point conversion in the final minute to erase a 10-point halftime deficit and beat Central City, 52-50.

Springville (4-1) has posted four straight wins. Ed-Co could secure a home playoff game with a win and closes the regular season against Lansing Kee.

Those games will be important in rankings, playoff pod assignments and seeding that will impact the task of another UNI-Dome memory.

“We have to practice now like we’re in the playoffs,” James Rochford said. “We have to get focused.”

Comments: kj.pilcher@thegazette.com