Richmond-Burton looks for more after ‘short-lived’ spring

RICHMOND – Ending the COVID-19-shortened spring season with a 6-0 record, although nice, left a lot to be desired for Richmond-Burton.

“It was really short-lived,” said Rockets’ two-way lineman Enzo Martinez, entering his fourth year on varsity. “Now, we’ll never know if we could have been something more. Luckily, we didn’t get any shutdowns. We got to play six games, which is nice because we can transition right from that and be ready.”

The Rockets, with a 50-7 win over Marengo in the final week of the six-week spring, go into the fall as one of three teams in the state with 20 consecutive victories [2019 Class 8A champion Lincoln-Way East and Class 3A champ Williamsville].

[ Photos: Richmond-Burton prepares for 2021 fall season ]

R-B last lost a game on Nov. 17, 2018, a 28-9 defeat to IC Catholic in the Class 4A semifinals. The Rockets beat IC Catholic, 24-14, in the 2019 4A quarterfinals en route to their second state championship in program history.

The spring team, with a talented 2021 class that included lineman Luke Eckardt (now at Arizona), running back-linebacker-kicker Nick Legnaioli (Carroll College), defensive lineman Jacob Petersen (Holy Cross) and quarterback Jacob Huber, would have had a good chance of at another long postseason run.

“In a way, it almost felt like you were robbed of being able to go to state again,” said senior Stephen Tower, who made a switch from defensive back to linebacker in the spring. “Last year’s class was really really good. As a team, we were really solid. I felt like we could have done a lot more.”

R-B coach Mike Noll lauded the effort of his team and seniors, despite the shortness and uncertainty during the spring. While some teams had to pause activities or even lose games because of COVID-19 quarantines, the Rockets were able to navigate the season without much interruption.

“I think our seniors did an outstanding job,” Noll said. “It’s hard to coach seniors in the spring of their senior season. In some ways, they’re ready to move on, and we had to wait until March and April. Give [them] a lot of credit. They helped maximize everyone’s experience.

“We felt good about the spring. Of course, we would have liked to have playoffs. But you take the hand you’re dealt and run with it. We did.”

The Rockets, as they always do, plan on running a lot this fall.

Senior fullback-linebacker Brock Wood returns after rushing for a team-high 561 yards and 10 touchdowns. Wood also recorded 79 tackles, a sack, two forced fumbles and 11 tackles for loss on a defense that had three shutouts and allowed only 21 points in six games.

Wood will be joined in the backfield by fullback Steven Siegel (190 yards, two touchdowns), along with wing backs’ Landon Jacoby, Nick Falasca and Jack Martens.

Wood, who won a state championship in wrestling last month at the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Summer Championships, said that summer practices have been running smoothly. Wednesday morning’s practice was the first with full pads for the Rockets, who scrimmaged with Grayslake Central, Jacobs and North Chicago on Tuesday night.

“I feel like we’re the best we can be for right now,” Wood said. “We’re still only in our third week. Some things are still moving around. Everybody’s working hard, showing up everyday. I think we have a 99% attendance rate. The coaches are working with the new kids who haven’t played much football or are learning new positions.

“We graduated a lot of talented kids, but I think we are getting just as many talented kids back. The senior grade is very athletic; the grade below is just as athletic; and the sophomores are going to step in just fine.”

Noll, who is entering his fourth year at R-B, said the six spring games helped players gain valuable experience, which he hopes carries over to the fall.

“We feel fortunate that we played six under-level games and six varsity games,” Noll said. “We felt like we got as much out of it as we could. There’s been a nice carryover, a real high retention rate. We have good numbers. The spring allowed us to play a lot of kids.”

Noll said the Rockets return four or five starters on offense and six or seven more on defense. Joe Miller, who got some reps during the spring, will take over at quarterback for Huber, a three-year starter.

Noll said Miller brings a lot of athleticism to the position.

“We tell Joe Miller all the time, ‘When in doubt, just hand it off,’ " Noll said. “Good athlete, 6-foot 2, 6-3. He moves well. We’re in the process this summer of figuring out what he does best, and that’s what we’ll feature in the fall. Joe is really good at sprint-outs, throwing on the run. He’s got time to grow into the position, and I’m sure he will.”

Martinez and the Rockets can’t wait for the first game of the season, hopefully with full bleachers.

“First play, first hits, just being out there with my team and getting back to it,” Martinez said. “This is going to be a normal year, hopefully, so it’s going to be nice. Hopefully, we can get everybody out ... good atmosphere.”