What a rush for R-B

Richmond-Burton’s Chad O’Kane (right) runs through Harvard’s Cristian Renteria on Friday in Richmond. The Rockets won the Big Northern Conference East Division game, 53-20. ONLINE: For photos from the R-B vs. Harvard and Crystal Lake South vs. Huntley games, visit NWHerald.com. (Nick Dentamaro – ndentamaro@nwherald.com)

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RICHMOND – Richmond-Burton center Josh Rymarz likened the Rockets’ first half to something biblical.

“We compare it to Moses parting the Red Sea,” said Rymarz, with a smile. “Trust me, [the linemen] were happy.”

The Rockets played virtually flawless offense in the first half, rolling up 376 total yards and six touchdowns, as they defeated Harvard, 53-20, in their Big Northern Conference East Division football game Friday.

The first series provided a sign of things to come for Harvard. The Hornets stopped running back Justin Russell for a 4-yard loss on the first play, on which R-B (6-1 overall, 3-0 BNC East) was called for an illegal block in the back. Faced with first-and-24 from their own 12, the Rockets scored in three plays with running back Chad O’Kane racing 70 yards around left end.

R-B, ranked No. 6 in The Associated Press Class 4A poll, did not punt until the third quarter and led, 40-7, at halftime.

“To be honest, I didn’t expect 40-7 or 53-20,” Rymarz said. “I told Justin Russell all week we were going to run on them.”

Fullback Kenny Riordan finished with 197 yards and four touchdowns, O’Kane had 144 yards and Russell ran for 42. R-B racked up 497 total yards.

“Everybody was on point and executed perfectly,” R-B guard-defensive tackle Chris Friedle said. “It was a rush. We blocked, and Kenny and Justin and Chad were flying down the field.”

It’s what our offense is designed to do, and we love [the running backs] for it,” Friedle said.

R-B can win its first BNC division title since 1996 with victories over Marengo and North Boone in the final two regular-season games. Harvard fell to 5-2, 2-1.

Russell scored R-B’s second touchdown, then O’Kane caught a 58-yard scoring pass from quarterback Adam Pittser. Riordan scored the Rockets’ next four touchdowns, including one stretch where he had three scores on four carries.

“Obviously, we came out and played pretty well,” R-B coach Pat Elder said. “Our defense played real well, that’s the story. Our run defense was great. We had a lot of hats on the ball, and that was key.”

The Rockets held Hornets running back Vince Gabrys, the area rushing leader, to 35 yards on 13 carries.

“The defense was great,” Friedle said. “Gabrys and [Andrew] Kick are great runners, and we shut them down.”

Kick carried 13 times for 98 yards and one touchdown.

“They just played at another level,” Harvard coach Tim Haak said. “Give them credit, they outplayed us in every phase. Their offensive line is very big and physical, and they do a good job.”