Running game key to Rockets’ success
A running game is important to any offense, but the Jefferson-Morgan Rockets will have to rely heavily on it in the competitive Tri-County South Conference in 2011, due to a new starting quarterback and new names on the offensive line.
Coach Jan Haiden is entering his 27th year of coaching the Rockets, and every year he has focused on a strong, physical running game to carry the offensive burden.
In 2011, that will be the same equation used by Haiden, as he has two talented runners in the backfield.
Juniors Dustin Conti and Jesse Jento will be the runners of choice for Haiden and after a successful sophomore campaign by the two backs, the bar will be raised again this season.
Conti is 6-2, 180 pounds and has a very quick first step when it comes to running through holes. His tall frame helps him see the field well and his decisionmaking garnered him some long runs last year.
Conti will be the Rockets’ home run threat this year.
“Conti is a big kid, but he can run,” Haiden said. “He is under five flat in the 40 and can take it to the house every time he touches the ball. If you give him an opening, he will take advantage of it.”
Jento plays the running back spot like a fullback with his 5-10, 167-pound frame. He is a change-of-pace back and makes his living on the gridiron between the tackles and pounding defenders. Jento is not one dimensional either, as he is able to break through the line and produce first-down runs of his own.
“Jento is our physical back and he loves contact,” Haiden said.
“He is underrated when it comes to speed, but is a very tenacious runner. He always seems to get better in games the more he touches the ball and that is always a good thing to have on the team.”
Haiden states that those two runners will be important factors for the Rockets’ offense and first-year starting quarterback Tyler Bowman.
“Both are hard-nosed kids and they both know what the expectations are for them,” Haiden said. “Our passing game is going to be slow during the first part of the season, and we need them to help us.
“Dividing up carries is no big deal with them; they are both unselfish. It’s not who has the hot hand during a game, it’s what type of running play is producing for us more in a game.”
Haiden emphasized the importance of a two-back system and how it is vital to keep both backs healthy and fresh during games.
“We are not a one-back team,” Haiden said.
“They are no fixed amount of carries each one will get. It all depends on what we can run and block and what the defense is giving us.”
With a tough Tri-County South Conference schedule ahead of them, the Rockets will rely solely on their thunder and lightning combination in the backfield to help them start the season off.