Richmond still team to beat in BN-E

How dominant has Richmond-Burton been over the last three seasons?

The Rockets have won the last two Big Northern Conference East Division titles and have reached the state semifinals two times and the state quarterfinals last year. The string of success brings back memories of the school’s halcyon days of the 1980s and early 1990s under former coach J. Randy Hofman (now the head coach at Central Lee High School in Iowa). Richmond won the Class 2A state title in 1992.

Over the last three years in BNC-E play, the Rockets, under the direction of sixth-year coach Pat Elder, are 12-0 against the likes of division members Burlington Central, Harvard, Marengo and North Boone — winning those 12 contests by a combined count of 390-147. In 2008, the Rockets threw in a 48-14 victory over East Division newbie Genoa-Kingston for good measure. Richmond brings a 14-game division winning streak into this season.

Can the Rockets continue their string of dominance in the conference?

“Richmond-Burton is still the team to beat,” said North Boone coach Aaron Sullivan.

First-year Burlington Central coach Rich Crabel adds: “Richmond is pretty darned good year in, year out. They run a pretty darned good program. And by all indications, Harvard will be a little better than they have been. Coach (Tim) Haak always does a good job of getting his guys prepared.”

Richmond’s Elder lists 21 returners from last year’s semifinalist squad — heavy on experience up front and in the backfield.

“We are a team that should greatly improve as the season goes on,” said Elder. “We did lose several starters on each side of the ball, but have strong numbers at the varsity level and have had a strong offseason in preparation. As we gain experience, we should improve.”

Burlington Central, under the direction of new coach Crabel (a former longtime assistant in the program and former head coach at Genoa), is coming off a 3-6 year. The Rockets return four starters on each side of the ball.

“If we have a weakness, it’s our lack of experience,” said Crabel.

Crabel noted the team’s strength will be at the skill positions. Ten different receivers made receptions in the team’s scrimmage recently.

Seniors Zach Ranney (5-10, 155, WR, DB), Al Willett (5-10, 190, S), Johnny Major (5-10, 165, DB) and Chandler Crary (6-0, 200, MLB) are key contributors for the Rockets. Crary was an all-BNC East selection last year. Willett and Crary will split the fullback duties and Willett also will see time at tailback. Junior Ryan Ritchie returns for his second season at quarterback.

Harvard returns six starters on offense and five on defense from a 2010 team that went 4-5. Collin Nolen (WR-FS), Matt Smith (RB), Jake Wilcox (G), Travis Heck (C) and Cody Melson (TE-LB) are key returnees on offense, while Joey Skorko, Brad Lovell and Dillon Witt are back on defense for 26th-year head coach Haak.

Marengo has five starters back on offense and six on defense. Seniors Trae Hoeske (6-3, 210, QB), Cody Bauman (5-10, 200, RB) and Zach Johnson (5-10, 220, OL) are back on offense, along with juniors John Lesiak (6-2, 220, RB) and Damon Cloe (6-1, 170, WR).

Lesiak doubles up at linebacker and is joined on defense by senior returners Clayton Zimmerman (6-1, 210, LB), Phil Markison (5-8, 170, DB), Colin Stewart (5-11, 180) and Frank Kaul (6-2, 180, DB), along with junior Josh Jordan (6-1, 165, DB).

“Our seniors have shown tremendous leadership during the offseason and over the summer,” said Marengo coach Matt Lynch. “We will need to continue working together as a unit. The seniors have done a great job leading us.”

North Boone has five starters back on offense and only two on defense. Key contributors for the Vikings include seniors Kory LeVoy (6-1, 200, OT), Bo Eisele (6-3, 220, OT), Stetson Magnuson (6-3, 200, OG), James Lang (6-2, 180, LB) and Steven Danhof (5-10, 220, LB), along with juniors Austin Baden (5-10, 170, QB) and Justin Bryan (6-2, 255, OG).

“The strength of our team will be our offensive line,” said Sullivan.

Division newcomer Genoa switches to the East Division after a long run in the West Division. With the move of Hampshire to the Fox Valley Conference, Genoa shifted east to allow league newcomer Rock Falls (which trumps the former long-distance membership of Ottawa Marquette in the BNC) to be slotted in the west. Rockford Christian joins the East in 2012, while Mendota, already a new BNC member in all other sports, joins the West for football starting in 2012.

The Cogs, under first-year coach Travis Frederick, have only eight seniors on the roster, but return four starters on offense and defense. Seniors Luke Schumacher (5-8, 190, FB-DL), Calvin Beach (6-2, 180, TE-DL) and Zach Carroll (5-10, 212, OL-DL) and juniors Gabe Williams (6-2, 170, RB-DB) and Ben Rabe (5-10, 210, OL-LB) lead Genoa.

“We do have playmakers on both sides of the ball,” said Frederick. “They are hungry to keep our program at a playoff level. I’m anxious to see what this team’s identity will be.”