R-B ‘O’ line sets tone

Richmond-Burton running back Jack Dechow runs past two linemen as they block Stillman Valley defenders during the fourth quarter of Saturday’s IHSA Class 4A state semifinal at Stillman Valley. Dechow finished with 191 yards rushing and a touchdown on 27 carries. The Rockets rushed for 403 yards in the game. (Daniel J. Murphy - dmurphy@shawmedia.com)

E-mail this story

Print this story

Share

STILLMAN VALLEY – It became a showcase of its collective power, talent and determination. Richmond-Burton’s strong offensive line left its mark as the Rockets earned their first trip to the state championship game in 19 years with a 40-28 win against Stillman Valley in a IHSA Class 4A state semifinal Saturday.

“They just played great,” R-B coach Pat Elder said. “We were able to move the ball. The ability to have the ball was key for us and that was the difference in the football game.”

Behind linemen Nicholas Smith, Tylar Stanton, Jake Pauly, Zach Rygiel and all-stater John Flood, the Rockets (12-1) set the tone early and controlled the line of scrimmage throughout the contest.

Senior Jack Dechow, who piled up 119 yards rushing in the first quarter alone, scored behind the tough offensive front on a 20-yard run on a fourth-and-3 play that gave the visitors an early, 6-0, lead.

Junior Adam Kinsella sliced into the end zone during the team’s second possession with a 5-yard run to put R-B up 14-0 after a quarter.

The Rockets added three more rushing touchdowns on the afternoon. They also picked up gains of 20, 28 and seven yards on three key fourth down conversions in the game.

Dechow, a 6-foot, 190-pound fullback, punished the Cardinals defense and finished with 191 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries. Kinsella (17 carries, 69 yards, 2 TD), running back Brett O’Kane (9 carries, 52 yards) and quarterback Matt Malecki (14 carries, 91 yards, 2 TDs) also contributed big yardage.

The Rockets had only one three-and-out in the game. They churned out 215 yards on the ground in the first half and 403 yards for the game.

“I thought offensively we just dominated the football game,” Malecki said. “They had a couple lucky plays, but we just drove down the field every time, and they couldn’t stop us. Our offensive line was huge in this game.”

Big-play D: Although Stillman Valley (10-3) managed to stay close with three long touchdown passes, the R-B defense made up for it with several big plays of its own.

The Rockets caused five Cardinals’ turnovers, including three interceptions – two by nose guard Henry Robison – and two fumble recoveries. Andrew Straight returned one of the fumbles 35 yards for the go-ahead score with 3:16 left in the game.

“I’ve never had an interception in my life,” Robison said. “And to come down with two in the state semifinals my senior year is just awesome.”

R-B also held Stillman Valley to 44 yards in the first half and 123 for the game.

“We played outstanding run defense,” Elder said. “Obviously, their passing game kept them in the game. But we told our guys that if we stopped their run game, we’d get the chance to play next Friday.”