ROCHESTER, Ill. (WAND) - The Rochester High School football team will attempt to win its 10th straight title under head coach Derek Leonard, following a semifinal comeback over Breese Central which they won in overtime 43-42.
"Everyone thought we were a year away, but I'm so proud of these seniors and all that they've accomplished," Leonard said after the game.
A defensive first half saw both the Rockets and Cougars fight to make the most of field position. Trading possessions throughout the first two quarters, sophomore running back Evrim Tabag punched in a short rushing score to send Rochester to halftime with a 14-7 lead.
When the teams returned to the field, momentum shifted in Breese Central's favor. The Cougars marched down the field to tie the ballgame, and on the following possession came up with a fumble recovery to set up another score to take the lead. A near 50-yard touchdown pass by Owen Kehrer to Conlan Haar gave Breese a 28-14 lead, a 21-point swing in the Cougars favor.
Near the end of the third quarter, Rochester would respond with a QB keeper by Tanner Beal from the 1-yard-line. The Rockets trailed 28-21 entering the final quarter.
Following a hurdle and score by Breese's Cole Davis to regain a 14-point cushion, Rochester would find themselves again on the cusp of another score.
Beal rolled to his right and threw over the center of the field to Tristan Stanton for an 11-yard-touchdown. On the ensuing drive, the Rockets got the spark they needed. The Cougars ran the ball in their own territory, but coughed up a fumble which was recovered by Rockets senior Connor Broughton. Moments later, a handoff to senior running back Kaiden Stout led to a touchdown to level the score at 35.
The game would go to overtime for the second-straight week for Rochester. Breese Central took over on offense first and scored a touchdown and the PAT. On the first play of the Rocket's possession, Tabag scored the 10-yard rushing score.
It would be up to Coach Leonard to either go for the PAT and tie the game, or go for the win with a two-point-conversion attempt. The Coach opted to run his offense on the field once more and they delivered. With a handoff to Tabag once again, the Rockets clinched the game 43-42 in overtime to head back to the state championship.
"Those seniors worked us so hard this offseason," said junior quarterback JP Leonard. "I love those boys and they worked us every single day. They weren't upset, were never upset. They said we could win this game so we believed we would win this game."
Rochester returns to the 4A state championship for the first time since 2023. They will play Montini Catholic in the title game at 7pm on Friday, Nov. 28 at Hancock Stadium in Normal.
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