Rock Island
High School
Football
2002

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The 2002 Rocky Football Team
Pre-season Outlook

A group of 26 seniors will lead this year’s version of the "Rocks".  Included in that group of seniors are 25 returning letterman.  Sixteen returning starters including 4 - 1^st Team Western Big Six All Conference players will be the foundation of this year’s team.  Both the offensive and defensive groups will return 8 starters from the 2001 squad.

The defense will be led by 2001 - 1^st Team Western Big Six All Conference and 1^st Team Argus/Dispatch All Metro defensive ends Nathan Gibbs (4^th leading tackler, 39 solo tackles, 21 assists, 5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 68 total tackles) and Chris Tuttle (5^th leading tackler, 25 solo tackles, 15 assists, 5 tackle for loss, 11 sacks, 4 caused fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries, 56 total tackles).

They will be joined by 1^st Team Argus/Dispatch defensive tackle Drew DeVore (3^rd leading tackler, 39 solo tackles, 24 assists, 5 tackle for loss, 2 sacks, 70 total tackles).  Other returning defensive starters for 2002 include – Seth Olson at nose guard, Nick Fleming (junior) at linebacker along with Lawrence Davis (junior), Terrill Williams and Luke Depron in the defensive secondary.

The offensive side of the ball will also have 8 returning starters for the 2002 season.  The Rocks offense will be led by 2001 - 1^st Team Western Big Six All Conference offensive end Brandin Smith (8 catches, 199 yards, 24.9 average per catch, 6 TD’s).  The Rocks offense will also look to Honorable Mention Western Big Six All Conference offensive end Mike Adamson (4 catches, 103 yards, 25.8 average per catch, 2 TD’s) and to Honorable Mention Western Big Six All Conference running back Dillon Smith (70 carries, 608 yards, 8.7 yards average per carry, 7 TDs).

Other returning offensive starters for 2002 include Mike Leonard at offensive tackle, Nick Loquist who will be making the move from offensive guard to offensive center, Eddie Williams (junior) at offensive guard, running back Keenan Wright (91 carries, 374 yards, 4.1 yards average per carry, 3 TDs). Both starting quarterbacks from 2001, Tom DeBroeck (29 attempts, 13 completions, 0 interceptions, 267 yards, 20.5 yards average per completion, 6 TD’s) and Chase Stevens (16 attempts, 7 completions, 0 interceptions, 165 yards, 23.6 yards average per completion, 3 TD’s) will return to battle for the starting quarterback spot.

The Rocks kicking game should be in good hands with returning 2001 - 1^st Team Western Big Six All Conference Kicker Jason Reda.

The remaining seniors vying for playing time include Jeff Brown (OL), Kevin Hackett (OE), Marc Heinzman (OL), Evander Jordan (DB), Chris McFarland (OL), Sterling Miles (DL), Justin Morelock (LB), Ricky O’Conner (RB), Dan Payne (DE), Joe Perez (LB), Greg Perrin (OL) and John Piertz (OL).

The incoming junior class includes 26 young men who will be pushing the seniors for playing time.  In addition to Eddie Williams, Lawrence Davis, Nick Fleming and Jason Reda, (all starters as sophomores in 2001) juniors expected to contribute early include Brandon Jones (DL), Dail Rice (DE), Waylond Ryan (RB) and John Saldana (RB).

Many new challenges will face the Rocks in 2002. The most pressing challenge involved the Rocks loss of two long time assistant coaches for the 2002 campaign.  Greg King left the Rocks after 11 years of loyal service to take over the Head Football Coaching duties at Strerling High School and long time assistant Craig Allison left the Rocky staff after 11 years to spend more time with his family.  Rocky Head Football Coach Vic Boblett feels very fortunate to have filled this void by adding several very experienced assistants to his staff.

Phil Paulson, the long time Varsity Defensive Coordinator and former assistant coach for Coach Boblett at Geneseo High School has joined the Rocks for 2002.  Coach Paulson will be coaching the varsity defensive secondary.

Former Davenport Assumption Varsity Defensive Coordinator Dan Brown will be taking over King’s varsity offensive line duties.  In addition to coaching at Assumption Coach Brown coached at Mount Carmel and played on a State Championship team at Brother Rice.

Troy Joseph, a former quarterback at Geneseo High School, played for Coach Boblett and will leave Stockton High School where he served as a varsity assistant for many years.  Coach Joseph will be helping with the varsity defensive secondary.

Rick Anderson, former Head Varsity Coach at Sherrard High School and assistant coach at Augustana College will join the Rocks in 2002 and help with the defensive line. 

And finally one of the Rocks own, Jake Carroll has returned to his alma mater to join the Rocky football staff.  Coach Carroll a starting offensive end on the 1996 record setting Rock Island Rocks has joined Coach Pat Mitchell’s freshman staff.

The Rocks early season strength appears to be returning varsity experience and excellent team speed.   With 16 returning starters including four -1^st Team and three additional Honorable Mention 2001 Western Big Six All Conference selections, returning experience abounds. Dillon Smith and Keenan Wright return as starters in the Rocks offensive backfield.

Senior Ricky O’Conner, junior John Saldana and junior speedster Waylond Ryan will battle for the remaining running back position. The interesting battle which developed at the quarterback position in 2001 appears to rage on between Tom DeBroeck and Chase Stephens. DeBroeck and Stephens who alternated playing time in 2001 will compete to determine a full time starter for 2002.

The Rock’s coaching staff has indicated a desire to settle on a starting quarterback for 2002 before WB6 conference play begins. The offensive line will be led by returners Mike Leonard, Nick Loquist and junior Eddie Williams. Who will step up to fill the remaining two offensive line positions is a critical question which must be answered in early season practices. The Rocks will have two excellent offensive ends in Brandin Smith and Mike Adamson. Both will be offensive weapons.

Defensively the Rocks will have excellent team quickness. The Rock’s will be led by returning all conference defensive ends Nathan Gibbs and Chris Tuttle.  Gibbs may be making a move into the Rocks defensive secondary.  Drew DeVore will anchor the Rocks defensive line along with fellow 2001 starter Seth Olson.  The defensive secondary could be one of the best the Rocks have fielded in Coach Boblett’s tenure.  The secondary will feature returners Luke DePron, Terrill Williams and junior Lawrence Davis.  Junior Nick Fleming will lead the line backing crew.  Junior Brandon Jones appears to have the inside track the one remaining defensive line position.  Senior Justin Morelock has the early lead on the one open line backer position.  With Nathan Gibbs moving from his defensive end position to strong safety, his defensive end position will go to Danny Payne.

Coming off of a 2001 season which produced a 10 - 1 record, a fifth consecutive Western Big Six Conference Title, a third undefeated regular season in the last five years and a sixth consecutive IHSA playoff berth, the key to this years season lies in staying healthy and development of quality depth. The Rocks seem to find a way to get it done. With a lot of hard work the 2002 version of the Rocks will be competitive within the Western Big Six Conference and throughout the State of Illinois.

As far as the Western Big Six Conference race goes – Galesburg,Quincy and United Township all have new head coaches and will play with a great deal of enthusiasm.  Moline and Alleman will be playing under second year coaches and each program will benefit from the experiences of 2001.   Galesburg will have one of the best running backs in the conference in Derek Blackwell.  Quincy probably has the strongest junior class in the WB6 Conference and will surprise some people this year.  Moline has two linemen who are being recruited by several division one colleges The Maroons will be ready to challenge for the conference title.  UTHS and Alleman always play the Rocks tough.  As always you better show up each Friday with your "A" game or anyone in the conference could knock you off.  It should be an interesting year.  The team that avoids mistakes and injuries will be the team to catch.