Rockets rumble past Rich Central

Five games into the regular season, thanking the offensive line has become second nature to Rich East senior running backs Reggie Byrd and Daniel Harris.

Opening SICA South play Saturday in Park Forest against Rich Central, Rich East again had its offensive line open huge running lanes -- to the tune of producing 397 rushing yards -- as the Rockets claimed a 28-13 win.

Byrd finished with three scores on the ground and 183 yards on 29 carries, while Harris added a rushing touchdown and 181 yards on 24 carries. Byrd also scored a two-point conversion in the second quarter.

"We're used to it by now," Byrd said with a smile. "We've got a great offensive line. We're all a big family."

Byrd scored on runs of one, three and four yards, two of the strikes coming after Rich Central (1-4, 0-1) drew to within 14-13 with 4:41 left in the third quarter.

Able to rely on one another, Rich East (5-0, 1-0) can go at opponents in waves.

"If it isn't me, it's Daniel," Byrd said. "It's five yards a pop at least, if not a first down. It's good that I've got him with me, and I've got my fullback (Marcus Cruz) with me. It's good to have this backfield."

The Rockets held a 14-7 halftime lead, but Rich Central drew closer when junior running back Giorgio Bowers just made it into the end zone from one yard out late in the third.

Byrd responded with his second touchdown of the day to cap off a four-minute, 74-yard drive. The PAT put Rich East up 21-13.

In the fourth quarter, the Rockets defense came through with two huge stops, burying the Olympians inside their own 10 early in the quarter and forcing a turnover on downs with less than four minutes left.

The defense had five fumble recoveries, two by junior linebacker Cornelius Echols, with two of the turnovers leading to offensive touchdowns.

"(Rich Central) is a nice, athletic team, and we knew we'd have our hands full with them," Rich East coach Barry Reade said. "We capitalized on a few things, but give them credit for coming ready to play. It was a good district matchup."

Bowers (12 carries, 161 yards) did the most damage for Rich Central with two rushing touchdowns, including an 80-yarder in the first quarter. Sophomore Kyle Winfrey added 18 yards rushing and 56 yards receiving, but the turnovers proved to be too much.

"Mistakes like that equal a bad game," Rich Central coach Steve Tadlock said. "We can move the ball all we want, but then we're down in the end zone and fumble, and then it stumbles. Right now, with Giorgio and Kyle, we have two real good running backs, and the team has to learn how to ride that."