Line keys
 Rockets’ success

Richmond-Burton running back Kenny Riordan (center) runs ahead of right tackle Brad Jacobs (left) in the Rockets' 35-7 victory Aug. 28 at Oregon. R-B hosts Stillman Valley at 7 p.m. today. (Shaw Newspapers photo)

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RICHMOND – Richmond-Burton’s offensive linemen look at the area football statistics with a great sense of pride.

They see running backs Kenny Riordan and Chad O’Kane at Nos. 2 and 3, and Justin Russell at No. 10.

They see the Rockets averaging an area-best 396 yards a game and think, “Hey, that’s us!” And they’re correct.

R-B (2-0) is ranked No. 5 in The Associated Press Class 4A poll because it has key players returning at the critical skill positions. But the Rockets also are there because they are fortunate enough to have 80 percent of their starting interior line from last year’s Class 4A state semifinal team back as well.

The Rockets should get their toughest test of the season so far at 7 p.m. today when they host Stillman Valley (2-0) at the R-B Athletic Complex.

The Cardinals are No. 4 in Class 3A after defeating Spring Valley Hall (42-0) and St. Joseph-Ogden (42-27).

“We’ve played great so far,” center Josh Rymarz said. “We all have to get lower at times. I’m not trying to sound arrogant, but I think we’ve played magnificently.”

That’s tough to argue with Riordan (245 rushing yards), O’Kane (243) and Russell (148) all among the area leaders. One reason Rockets coach Pat Elder thought his team started slow last season – R-B was 1-4 before reeling off seven consecutive victories to reach the semifinals – was they were replacing three starters on the offensive line.

Rymarz, left tackle Tyler Olker, right guard Chris Friedle and right tackle Brad Jacobs all return, with left guard Sam White stepping in for graduated Jake Behrens.

“There’s always room for improvement, but we’ve been pretty good,” Olker said. “We’re pretty united up front. [The area leaders] is something we’re proud of because that shows the job we’re doing up front.”

Familiarity on a line is so vital because each player knows what the next one is doing.

“We’ve worked really well because we’ve played with each other so many years,” Rymarz said. “We’re used to each other.”

R-B caught the first half of Stillman Valley’s game last week before traveling to Normal for a Saturday game against Bethalto Civic Memorial. The Rockets know this could be their toughest foe until the postseason.

“I was very impressed,” Rymarz said. “They’re fast, big and physical up front. They’re similar to us in that they’ll run the ball at you a lot, then try to catch you off-guard with the pass.”

Olker (6-foot-2, 290 pounds) is the biggest of the bunch, with Jacobs (6-5, 230), a Northwest Herald All-Area second team selection, next. Rymarz (6-1, 220), Friedle (6-2, 195) and White (5-9, 180) are big enough to accomplish what the Rockets need.

“We don’t have bad size up front, but the key, particularly in high school football, is moving your feet,” Elder said. “They all do a pretty good job there. You can really see with Josh and Tyler their movement is a lot better this year.”

Elder likes the cohesiveness and communication among the linemates.

“They’ve established a language without speaking,” Elder said. “It’s early, but we have everybody on the same page.”