LANCASTER – When coach Andrew Jackson says his quarterback, Thedford Rhodes, eats and sleeps football, Jackson isn't exaggerating.

As a youngster, Rhodes often slept in his Pop Warner league uniform the night before a game.

The first time he did, he threw a touchdown pass and ran for another the next day.

One night when he was 7, he slept not only in uniform but also in his helmet.

"I woke up sweating that night," Rhodes recalled.

His sleeping attire no longer includes a jersey and football pants, but he is still producing touchdowns, enough to help Lancaster to a 3-0 start going into Friday's 7:30 p.m. home game against Fort Worth Dunbar.

As for eating football, Rhodes says the game has moved him to a more healthy diet.

During the summer he limited his trips to fast food restaurants and began running the stands at the school's football stadium. He shed 25 pounds.

"Even our coaches have been surprised how much quicker I am this season," said Rhodes, whose duties include running an option offense.

Although just a sophomore, Rhodes has made 10 varsity starts at quarterback. He didn't play last week because of an ankle sprain he suffered two weeks ago against South Oak Cliff, and Jackson said he isn't sure if he will play against Dunbar. The coach wants his quarterback healthy for the District 15-4A opener against Ennis on Sept. 28.

Jackson said opposing coaches are surprised to learn Rhodes still has two seasons remaining.

"He plays beyond his years," Jackson said.

For the Lancaster coach, it is hard to remember back to a day when Rhodes wasn't around the practice field.

His brother Derrick II, who is four years older, played strong safety at Lancaster. Thedford usually tagged along to practice.

"The coaches got to know me, and they said they'd keep an eye on me," Rhodes said.

Last year, Jackson promoted him to the varsity as a freshman backup quarterback. Rhodes was named the starter three games into the 2006 season.

"He never lacked for confidence," Jackson said.

Playing against older players was not new for him. Growing up, he played basketball and tackle football with his older brother and his friends.

In those days, an injury received no sympathy from his dad, a two-way lineman at Wilmer-Hutchins in the mid-'80s.

FILE 2006/Staff photo

Thedford Rhodes (4) became Lancaster's starting quarterback three games into his freshman season.

"I'd just tell him to go back out there and play," Derrick Rhodes said.

When practice ends, Rhodes hurries home to watch more football on TV.

"When Thedford was younger, he'd make up his own plays," said his mother, Serena Rhodes.

Drawing plays must run in the family. Rhodes' great uncle is Ray Rhodes, an NFL head coach at Philadelphia and Green Bay after his playing days ended. He is now a Seattle Seahawks assistant coach.

From his uncle, Rhodes picked up tips on film study.

Because the seasons overlap, Ray Rhodes has not seen his nephew play in person. But he keeps up with Lancaster over the Internet and has seen game film.

"The people in the family that know Ray and Thedford say their personalities are a lot alike," Derrick Rhodes said.

THEDFORD RHODES

School, class: Lancaster, So.

Height, weight: 5-10, 204

Position: Quarterback

Other sports: Basketball (point guard), baseball (pitcher, first base)

Goal: To become a coach

Family: Parents Serena and Derrick Rhodes, brother and sister

Favorite QB: Vince Young ("I've got to get a little taller, 6-2 or 6-3 at least.")

Did you know? He's named for his grandfather.

Fort Worth Dunbar (0-2) at Lancaster (3-0), 7:30 p.m. Friday, Beverly Humphrey Tiger Stadium