Revere lineman has time to rack up more honors 

by Sheldon Ocker

Offensive linemen don’t have to develop humility. It’s part of the job description.

Unlike quarterbacks, running backs, receivers and even defensive players, offensive linemen can’t amass piles of glossy statistics. 

Nor are they the focus of fans. How many Revere High School fans sit in the stands and focus on the offensive linemen?  Maybe their parents.

Even the best offensive linemen must wait until the end of the season to have their achievements properly recognized.

That’s when coaches and the media make their awards public. That’s when Revere center Joe Rozak learned he was selected All-Ohio honorable mention. No other Minutemen received statewide recognition.

Rozak is a two-year letterman and a two-year All-Suburban League first team selection.  And as a junior, he can do all of this again next year, maybe climb the ladder even higher.

“Joe is a mainstay on the offensive line, and he plays about 30% of the snaps on defense [at tackle],” said Revere head coach Bobby Nickol.

Rozak has shown the strength and agility to be among the best at his position. He also has the intangibles to succeed, according to his coach.

“He works his tail off in class,” Nickol said. “He’s more of an introvert off the field. He’s not a rah-rah guy. He doesn’t wear his emotions on his sleeve.

“But he really turns it up on the field. People who know him say he wouldn’t hurt a fly, but when he gets in the game he’s a monster. He’s a great kid, and he comes from a great family.”

At 6-foot-1, 270 pounds, Rozak is no giant for an offensive lineman, so if he plays in college  – and he wants to – he needs to get bigger, though centers and guards tend to be smaller than tackles.

Nickol said Rozak has had feelers from smaller Division I colleges and Division II schools.
“He’s one of the strongest kids in our program,” the coach said. “If he’s in a college weight room, I can see him getting to 290 pounds.”

Nickol will not be happy to see Rozak graduate in 2026.“He’s one of the top linemen I’ve ever coached,” he said.