Two-way starters ‘dig deep’

Richmond-Burton’s Matt Rygiel (left) rushes Mendota quarterback Will Hansen during their IHSA Class 4A second-round playoff game Nov. 4. Rygiel starts at tight end and defensive end, making him one of five two-way starters for the Rockets (12-1). (Lauren M. Anderson - landerson@shawmedia.com)

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RICHMOND – Sometimes, it is inevitable.

It probably happens in the fourth quarter when the physical grind tests Richmond-Burton’s five two-way starters. All the agility drills and wind sprints cannot completely replicate playing on offense and defense for four quarters.

“It wears on you throughout the game,” R-B guard-defensive tackle John Flood said. “But you just have to dig deep and find whatever you have left in the tank to get through.”

Many of the smaller-class teams R-B competes against are in similar situations. The talent pool is smaller, so coaches use more players both ways than schools in larger classes. R-B (12-1) meets Rochester (11-2) in the IHSA Class 4A state championship game at 7 p.m. Friday at the University of Illinois’ Memorial Stadium in Champaign, and 11 starters between the two teams will play both ways.

Flood, Jake Pauly, Jack Dechow, Matt Rygiel and Brett O’Kane are the five two-way regulars for the Rockets, who are playing in their first state title game since winning the Class 2A championship in 1992.

“It’s a lot different than what I’m used to doing,” said Pauly, who starts at tackle on both lines. “Last year I was more focused on technique and being a one-way player (on defense). I love [playing both ways]. I’ve been playing football since I was a little kid. Sometimes I want a break, but you get out there and do as much as you can.”

R-B coach Pat Elder has changed his way of thinking about a two-platoon system through his 15 seasons as a head coach.

“It used to be about getting your best 11 players on the field for offense and defense,” Elder said. “Now, if possible, over the course of the season, you’re better off getting your best 16, 17 or 18 players on the field. Your team and depth are better for it. Your kids are healthier for it. Last year, we started 20 kids.”

Only Dechow and Brandon Kinsella were two-way players for R-B last season. O’Kane was a defensive starter last season while Rygiel was a backup on both lines. Flood played mainly on the offensive line, while Pauly was on defense last season. They changed their training regimen for this season, knowing they would be used both on offense and defense.

“I worked out at Your World Fitness on speed and agility in the summer,” Pauly said. “We had to do more. There’s no way we could just get ready in practice.”

There is a drawback in making adjustments for the two-way players.

“From an X’s and O’s standpoint, it’s hard to make adjustments because you’re on the field most of the time,” Flood said. “I’m on most special teams, too. Coach can’t tell me to block something differently or if we’re going for a different look on defense.”

In those cases, the other linemen try to communicate to Flood, Pauly and Rygiel what changes are necessary.

“John and Jake are two pretty special linemen,” Elder said. “They need to go both ways. Matt’s gone both ways and we’ve just seen him get better all year long. And Jack is Jack.”

Dechow is a 190-pound mauler at fullback and linebacker who will wrestle at NCAA Division I Old Dominion next year. If Elder were to have him play only one way, Dechow might apply an arm bar until he relented.

“Our conditioning is really good, so it doesn’t matter,” said Dechow, who played only defense for two games after returning from a broken ankle in Week 5. “The adrenaline kicks in because you’re having fun. I feel better when I play the whole game anyway. When I was just playing defense, I didn’t feel like I had that good sweat going. You’re like dead.”