September 12, 2002 12:43 AM
Chicago Collins
at Rock IslandGame facts
7:30 tonight, RI's Almquist Field
Coverage: Marc Nesseler; Radio: WKBF-AM 1230
Home-Home-Homecoming
This will be Rock Island's third staight home game to open the season. And despite
not playing a road game, it will be Rock Island's homecoming.
``We typicallty have homecoming in October,'' said RI coach Vic Boblett. ``And we had
it penciled in that way, but the higher-ups decided that wasn't a good thing to do.''
That's because the Oct. 11 home game vs. Galesburg is during RI's two-week intersession of
no school. RI's only other remaining home game is against Moline on Sept. 27.
Prohibitive favorite
In last week's 49-6 win over Chicago Westinghouse, RI's offensive starters were in
on just 15 plays. The No. 1 defense had 18 plays. This week could be more of the same.
Now 0-2, Collins lost to 45-6 to Vocational, a school of 2,164 students, and 14-12 to
Hope, with just 533 students.
``We're really committed to getting better week by week regardless of what we're
facing,'' said Boblett. ``Collins may be good, or may not. The approach we're taking is
that it doesn't matter.''
``We ran the kids harder Monday than we have ever run them. We had a 15-minute
scrimmage, one-on-one, the No. 1 offense vs. the No. 1 defense, as if it was a regular
game, complete with the chain crew. And it was a pretty good-looking scrimmage.''
Program update
Of the 19 players listed on the Westinghouse roster in the program last week, five
had incorrect numbers, one had an incorrect name and the names of seven others were
omitted. That, too, could be more of the same this week, which means spectators will need
to pay close attention to the call of P.A. announcer Paul ``Lefty'' Wendland throughout.
Doesn't seem fair
According to RI scouts, Collins has nine of its 11 starters go both ways.
Conversely, the Rocks have no starter playing on both offense and defense. In fact, RI
also two-platoons its second string as well.
Speaking of depth
Boblett says he's not only going to continue to alternate his senior quarterbacks,
Tom DeBroeck and Chase Stephens, but he's now also going to alternate ENTIRE BACKFIELDS.
``We have a lot of kids playing really well right now,'' the coach said.
Joining DeBroeck will be WB Dillon Smith (19 carries, 107 yards), FB John Saldana
(22-133) and TB Keenan Wright. Behind Stephens will be TB Waylond Ryan (12-80), FB Ricky
O'Conner and WR Calvin Krakilow (12-100). Asked if he'd continue that rotation the
following week for the Western Big 6 opener at Quincy, Boblett replied, ``You tell me.''
R.B. the RB
Krakilow went from a third-string running back to a battle for a first-string spot
with last week's 97-yard showing. But for losses on his last two carries, he'd have had a
100-yard rushing game. Oddly, if he outrushes Smith by 8 yards and Saldana by 34, Krakilow
would be RI's leading rusher heading into WB6 play.
Here's the kick
Of the eight kickoffs last week by RI junior Jason Reda, seven went into the end
zone. The other? It went to the 1-yard line, with Westinghouse returning it to the 16.
Reda also booted a 38-yard field goal. His goal is to kick a 59-yarder, which would tie
the state record. For that to happen, the Rocks would have to stall a drive at the
opponent's 42-yard line.
Devastating `D'
Rock Island's defense has yielded just 13 yards rushing in 43 carries. It's forced
six turnovers, five of those being interceptions by five different players. ``This is the
fastest overall defense we've had,'' touted Boblett. Five players also have sacks, with
Chris Tuttle being the only one with a pair.
Copyright 2002, Moline Dispatch
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