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I-M.1 UI1.MMM \I.IK*«,\/I III -MI'IIMKIK;*. . I'i*4 League champ must overcome inexperience By Robert Gordon Plaindealer News Service RICHMOND - The Rich­ mond-Burton Rockets have been the Big Eight Conference .champions for the last three years, and if Rocket coach Randy Hofman has his way, this year will be no (Afferent. "Our overall team is quicker,*' Hofman said. "We're bagger and stronger than last year." However, the "Mean Rocket Machine" is somewhat of a mystery this year because the team is so young. Only four of the starting seniors played last year, and merely eight seniors are listed on the 23 man team roster. "The key to our success will be how quickly the juniors mature, and the seniors who came out for the first time this year mature," Hofman said. "IF WE HAVE A WEAKNESS, it's just in the age of the team," said A1 Kessie, assistant coach of the Rodkets. But the team's overall inex­ perience should be offset by the leadership of its senior quar- terback, Craig Komar. The 5'10", 17S^6und pas&sr started last yew's conference pionship team, and was 1 QB his sophomore year. Hofman characterizes Komar as a "tough, hard-nosed football player." "You need experience at quarterback because he provides leadership," Hofman said. "The kids look up to him because of his experience. They have confidence in him. They believe in him." Komar's success may depend on his top targets, wide receivers David Johnson (6-0, 170), Trevor King (5-9, 145) and senior Jeff Klein (6-0, 175). Johnson started last year as a sophomore and Hofman said, "He's very strong and a good offensive blocker." HOFMAN SAID HE HAS A "balanced" team this year, but when asked to label his team either air oriented or ground based, he said it is more of a running team. Htffman's rushers this year are Scott Christensen (6-0, 185), Duke Weber (5-11,160), Dan Alexander (5-9, 160), Brad Rodiek (5-9,155), Dennis Komar (5-7,155) and Mike Leli (5-6, 134). Halfback Christensen was expected to produce points for the Rockets last year, but was injured in the very first game of the 1983 season. last year's games 1 injured knee. "Scott is back we're hoping he back from his inji said. missed all of use of the year, and can " bounce Hofman THE ROCKETS ALSO HAVE SOMEexperience up front on the offensive line. Senior center, Tinnfolian,Vwas a starter last year and according to Hofman, just missed being named all- conference. Another senior on the line, Keith Maxwell, knows the offensive guard position well. "He's a fine blocker and has played varsity for three years," Hofman said. "He has plenty of experience." , Defensively, the Rockets are the most mysterious. The Rocket secondary looks fairly tight with defensive backs Duke Weber and Brad Rodiek returning as starters. In ad­ dition, a new senior, Tom Otto (6-2, 180) will help defend against the opposition's pass attack. "We feel we'll have some real strength in our defensive secondary," Hofman said.' HOFMAN SAID IN ORDER FORhis team to win the con­ ference, it must defeat top op­ ponents Burlington Central, Hampshire and Harvard. But the key game will probably be Richmond-Burton's first match­ up against a non-conference team, Johnsburg. "We're going against a school that's more than twice our size," Hofman said of Johnsburg. "They beat us last year and they play bigger teams. We'll know jhow we rate after the first game." Size is one factor, if any, that works against Richmond- Burton. Being such, a small school means less boys to pick from. In addition, as with many state high schools, less potential players are attending Rich­ mond-Burton. "Our enrollment is dropping," Hofman said. "So less kids come out for football." And two kids that Hofman was expecting to play, quit. MOREOVER, THERE IS A NEWstricter athletic code being enforced at Richmond-Burton Community High School this year, and it has cut into the roster as well. * "We probably lost five to six kids who would have played . football this yeaiv who were ineligible because X grades," Hofman said. But this is Hofman'slifth year as coach, and he has proven that he is quite capable of directing his teams to winning seasons. According to Assistant Coach Kessie, the turn around of the Rocket football program oc­ curred in 1980, Hofman's second year as coach. RICHMOND ASSISTANT AL KESSIE "IN 1986, WHEN WE WERE 7-2,that gave the foundation and brought the winning attitude at Richmond Burton Community High School," Kessie said. This year Hofman was listed as the eighth winhlngest Chicago area coach by the Chicago Sun Times Newspaper. The Rocket skipper said this year's team has "very good morale" and has been working hard. Hie Mean Rocket Machine also has the advantage of hosting all of its top conference opponents. They play Harvard Sept. 21, Burlington Central Oct. 12 and Hampshire Oct. 26--all at home. But the team's success really depends on the seniors' leadership and how rapid the younger players devetope and mature. The team captains, seniors Craig Komar, Keith Maxwell, and Brad Rodiek along with junior Dyke Weber will provide much of the guidance for the players who have not yet been tested under game pressure. "The character of the team will be determined in that first game (against Johnsburg)/' Hofman said. " (It will show) if