If the debate surfaces at the dinner table, it might get heated.
Who, exactly, is the best athlete in the Rondez clan?
For now, it's hard to argue against Daniel Rondez. He's a junior every-down player for Elk Grove High School, and his 12 tackles, one sack and a fumble recovery helped lay down a defensive statement in the No. 4 Thundering Herd's 36-17 triumph of then-No. 8 Inderkum on Friday night. What's more, he started at guard and played on special teams.
Rondez is The Bee's Prep Football Player of the Week, as voted by readers and fans on sacbee.com.
One thing is certain: The Rondez family pulls for one another. The Rondez brothers have grown up playing football in Elk Grove, and his sisters are also athletes.
"Since I was a member of the Junior Herd (youth program), I couldn't wait to play under the lights for the high school team,'' Rondez said. "I wanted to be like my older brothers."
Ryan, 22, played for Elk Grove in 2004. Marcus, 18, led the Herd's 12-1 team in rushing touchdowns last fall. Nicole, 17, is a senior at Elk Grove who for 11 years was a regionally and nationally competitive gymnast. Nathaniel, 12, plays for the Elk Grove youth program. And Mariah, 10, is a gymnast and cheerleader. Daniel's dad, Bernie, and mom, Pam, sit and soak it all in while piling the mileage on the minivan.
"It's great to have my family watch," Rondez said. "My brothers were on the sideline the other night giving me pointers, telling me not to get tired.''
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