September 6, 2002 12:43 AM
Westinghouse Warriors
at Rock Island Rocks Game facts
7:30 tonight, RI's Almquist Field
Sophomores start at 5:30
Coverage: Marc Nesseler
Radio: WKBF-AM 1230
0
Number of previous meetings between these two schools. Westinghouse replaced
Edwardsville on the Rocks' schedule for Week 2. Edwardsville opted not to renew its
contract. RI coach Vic Boblett perennially likes to schedule a tough opponent for Week 2
and an easier one, usually from the Chicago Public league, for Week 3 just before the
start of the Big 6 season. This year, though, the Rocks face back-to-back Public League
teams.
Another 0
That's what the Rocks know about the Warriors numberically. ``We scouted last week's
game (a 12-6 win over Chicago Austin), but they didn't have any programs,'' said Boblett.
The Public League also isn't big on game statistics.
What Boblett does know is Westinghouse strategy. ``They're athletic, and defensively
they play a college 4-3 defense,'' the coach said. ``Offensively, they look lot like us
with their formations. They have a diversified offense, throwing a little bit.''
112
Number of rushing yards on a team-high 18 carries for RI junior fullback John Saldana,
who earned a start last week with senior Ricky O'Conner out the first of two weeks of a
team-rules suspension.
``It would have been one of those coin-toss things,'' Boblett said of deciding which
would start, Saldana or O'Conner. ``It's great competition between the two. It's one of
those reasons why you don't want to end up in a situation of not being able to compete for
a spot.'' In Week 3, tailback Keenan Wright also will return, and will be in a position
battle with Waylond Ryan (46 yard son 9 carries in week 1).
Saldana, by the way, is the younger brother of former Rocky fullback Ed Saldana. ``Both
are real hard runners,'' Boblett said of the two. ``Ed was truly more of a bull-rush-type
rusher. John's got some pretty suble moves.'' Ed, a spectator for RI's 28-14 win over
Rockton Hononegah last week, soon will be joining the National Guard.
2 for 1
TWice RI senior Luke DePron put punts on the 1-yard line, the first kicking from the 40
and the other from the 45. ``We had good field position and I just kicked it as hard as I
could,'' said DePron. ``And then I just yelled for Terrell Williams (on special teams) to
go after it (and down the ball).'' Yet, DePron, a starting defensive back, likely will
lose the punting duties this week. Back this week is junior kicker Jason Reda, who last
Friday was with the RI soccer team at a tournament in Rockford. Too, DePron strained a
quadricep muscle on one of the kickoffs after his second super punt.
2 more for 1
It be decision time for the Rocks in choosing a quarterback. Seniors Tim DeBroeck
(2-for-6, 82 yards, 1 TD) and Chase Stephens (2-for-7, 37 yards) again will alternate
duties this week, and Boblett hopes to settle on one for Week 3's home game vs. Chicago
Collins.
``We're not looking at total scores,'' Boblett said. ``The battle is awfully close. It
might even end up in a tie score'' in regards to the coaching staff's point system. Still,
the coach would rather have the two going up against an Edwardsville than a Westinghouse
to determine a starter. ``I would much rather go against a strong opponent in week 2 for
our final evaluation,'' he said. ``Still, Westinghouse gave up just six points last week,
so our team had better come to play.''
37
Rocky's defense is at the top of its game, allowing Rockton Hononegah only 37 yards
rushing on 23 attempts. In fact, Hononegah steered clear of giving the ball to its
talented fullback, Grant Miller, who had just 17 yards on 7 carries, with no carries in
the second half. ``They found out early on that they weren't going to be successful doing
that,'' Boblett said of the Indians trying to bulldoze the Rocks with the 250-pound
fullback.
Copyright 2001, Moline Dispatch
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