Richmond-Burton’s Brock Wood scores 3 TDs in win over Rochelle

RICHMOND — Senior captain Brock Wood carried the load for the unbeaten Richmond-Burton on Friday evening, rushing for 149 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Rockets over Rochelle, 34-7. Richmond-Burton has now won 23 straight games dating back to 2018.

Wood capped off the Rocket offense’s first possession of the evening, plunging forward for a 1-yard touchdown run up the middle. Both defenses started strong, however, with Richmond-Burton unable to find the end zone again until late in the second quarter, when Wood rushed for a 2-yard touchdown and Joe Miller connected with Steven Siegel for the 2-point conversion.

“We knew Rochelle was going to be a physical team,” Wood said. “We stuck to our game plan and we wanted to do what we do best. Their linebackers were physical and they flew to the ball pretty hard, but our team was able to step up and make plays when we needed to.”

The Rockets made a significant defensive play late in the first half, when linebacker Zachary Smith intercepted Rochelle quarterback Josh Lloyd to set up a 3-yard rushing touchdown from Siegel. Richmond-Burton (3-0) maintained a 21-0 lead over Rochelle (1-2) at halftime.

“We have a few mottos we’ve lived by on defense over the last few years,” Wood said. “We stay true to ourselves and even when a play doesn’t go our way, we move on to the next play. We’re a really physical group of guys and we’re really passionate about the way we play.”

After not allowing any points over the first two games of the season, Richmond-Burton conceded its first touchdown early in the third quarter, when Rochelle tailback Garrett Gensler broke through the Rocket defensive line for a 12-yard touchdown run. The Rockets responded immediately on their next possession, however, with Wood finding a seam through the middle and breaking off a 56-yard touchdown run, Richmond-Burton’s longest play of the night.

Richmond-Burton effectively sealed the win late in the third quarter, when linebacker Toby Quentrall-Quezada intercepted Lloyd’s pass near the Rochelle sideline. The Hub turnover led to Siegel’s second touchdown of the night, which came from 1 yard away to extend Richmond-Burton’s lead early in the fourth quarter. Siegel finished with 35 yards on eight carries.

“Our coaching staff has done a remarkable job,” Wood said. “Our coaches prepare us like we’re in the NFL. They’re always scouting and they’re here from 6 a.m. in the morning during the week until 4 p.m. on Saturdays and just as long on Sundays. They do their best to prepare us for every play. Our team works extremely hard and our attendance has been up the entire year.”

The Rockets will look to extend their win streak when they face Plano on the road next Friday.