Fall 2021 Northwest Herald Football Player of the Year: Richmond-Burton’s Brock Wood

Not many high school players can claim what Richmond-Burton’s Brock Wood can, that he lost only one varsity game.

Wood was a linebacker as a sophomore on R-B’s 2019 Class 4A state champion, then took over his brother Dalton’s fullback spot in the 2021 spring and fall seasons.

So much of what the Rockets did this fall revolved around Wood on offense and defense. He rushed for 1,636 yards and 26 touchdowns and led another strong defense with 126 tackles. R-B advanced to the Class 4A semifinals for a third consecutive time, losing to state champ Joliet Catholic, 35-18.

Wood has been chosen the Fall 2021 Northwest Herald Football Player of the Year by the sports staff, edging out Cary-Grove fullback Nick Hissong. Crystal Lake Central quarterback Colton Madura and Jacobs running back Ben Ludlum also were considered for the honor. Dalton Wood was the 2019 Player of the Year.

Wood was the Kishwaukee River/Interstate 8 Blue Division Defensive MVP. He was vital to the Rockets’ run to 32 consecutive wins.

Against Joliet Catholic, Wood suffered a thumb injury in the first quarter, but had the hand taped up and continued playing on offense and defense. He had surgery the next week, but said he would have “clubbed it up” and played had the Rockets made it to the title game.

Wood, the Class 1A champion at the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association State Championships in June, will have his wrestling season on hold until late in the season, but hopes to return to get some matches in before the postseason.

He answered a few questions from sports writer Joe Stevenson about his season, his injury and the Rockets’ amazing run.

What will you remember most about this season?

Wood: The game at Sycamore (a 42-20 R-B victory). It was the first time that we were the true underdogs going into a game. It was amazing seeing the whole team get off the bus and get ready to play the best football of the year at that point. Seeing everything click: The big offensive plays, tough defense and then taking the ball away to seal it.

How difficult is it to text or type with a cast on your left hand?

Wood: The first couple of days it took a while to type, but with English class typing an essay I had to get pretty good pretty fast. I still hit the wrong letter with my thumb, but overall I am doing fine.

Which of your teammates do you really admire?

Wood: There’s a lot of kids I admire on the team, but Nate Komar is such a hard-nosed player that doesn’t skip anything on or off the field.

What is the nicest Christmas gift you ever received?

Wood: I would say the most practical and the most used gift would be a massage gun. After all of my sports, that gun is used to get the soreness out of my body.

Are you able to do any kind of workouts right now, like for your lower body?

Wood: Yes, I have been doing anything to keep my body in shape. I do body weight workouts, and squat with weights.

What are three of your favorite Christmas movies?

Wood: “Elf,” “Home Alone” and “Home Alone 2.”

If you could compete in any sport at any university, where would you go and what would you do?

Wood: It has always been a dream to play football at the University of Wisconsin.

What is your dream job?

Wood: If I could do anything for a career, I would like to be a professional football player. I love the game and being paid to play and make a living doing it would be great.

What is your favorite class?

Wood: Foods class is the best because the teacher, Suzanne Johnson, is super cool and we get to cook food for a grade. Who doesn’t like that?

What scares you?

Wood: Paranormal stuff really gets me freaked out especially when you’re babysitting for your anatomy teacher, Kathleen Kaywood.

Who are some of your favorite NFL players to watch?

Wood: Micah Parsons has really got my eye watching him play his rookie year. He does everything on the defense, and does it well.

What is a sport that you are just not good at?

Wood: All my friends seem to think I’m not very good at basketball. I didn’t believe them until someone showed me a video of me playing.

What do you enjoy doing on the rare days when you’re not playing, competing or working out?

Wood: I like to play video games when I have free time.

What is your dream vehicle?

Wood: Late 60′s early 70′s muscle cars: Camaro, GTO, Roadrunner, ‘Cuda. I am not picky.