Rock Island Rocks 2021 Football Preview
by Joe Winkel @JoeTheShowQCSN
For the Rock Island Rocks, the 2021 season is a chance to finally take back the reins at the top of the Western Big 6 conference. After a few years of limited success the Rocks have bounced back under coach Ben Hammer with last year’s 4-2 campaign and the previous year getting success in the playoffs. With the league as wide open as it has been in years, this is the best chance the Rocks have had in years to regain the conference crown.
The Rocks lost some key contributors from the spring squad, but return one of the top quarterbacks in the conference in Eli Reese. After splitting time for two seasons with now graduated QB Devin Swift; Reese took over after Swift was injured in-between weeks 1 and 2 in the spring and was very productive, throwing for an average of more than 220 yards per game, and a total of 16 touchdown passes. Now knowing the team will be under his control, Reese can finally look to roll and keep things going from his strong play back in March and April.
“Eli has a tremendous knowledge of our offense. For the skill players, it is like having another coach on the field,” Coach Hammer said about his senior QB.
The Rocks also have one of the best line units in the conference. Both on offense and defense, their line play is going to be a problem for opponents this season. A big question mark is on the defensive end. The Rocks have been at or near the bottom of the conference statistically on defense the last few years, mainly against the run. They will need to improve that in order to cash in this year. Although Coach Hammer doesn’t see his defense as a negative for his club.
“A lot of people who don’t know much about football see it as defensive struggles. We play a very aggressive style of football from all standpoints. Looking for turnovers, fakes on special teams, onside kicks, going for it on fourth down, etc. These all will sometimes put your defense on the field more than a team that isn’t as aggressive in their systems. At the end of the day no matter how many are scored, if you have at least one more you still win.”
Whether or not the defense will be able to turn things around is a question mark, but Coach Hammer is confident that they will be fine regardless. Offensively on the perimeter the Rocks will have to replace their top four receivers, but look for the Rocks to be able to plug and play some talent with some of their athletes coming up through the ranks. They also lost top rusher Marriyon Rogers, and we may see a running back by committee type approach from the Rocks as they look for valued production from the backfield.
Time will tell on if this team can get the Rocks their first league crown in over half a decade. It has been overdue for the Rocks, and with this year being a wide open race, it is as good a time as ever to regain a conference ring. The bar at Rock Island is always set high, and the next few months will tell us if this Rocks team can clear it. If they can, it could be a memorable fall for the red and gold.