ROCHESTER, Ill. (WAND) — The Rochester Rockets are gearing up to make another run at a state title.

Head coach Derek Leonard said the team's veteran makeup gives him a level of confidence he did not have at this point ahead of week one last season.

"Last year, I think we were still developing a little bit at this time and so, you just didn't know in certain spots, you don't know when the lights turn on how they're going to perform," Leonard said. "So, you're waiting on that a little bit. This team specifically, I think I feel better now than I did last year at this time with this group."

The Rockets' up-tempo style of play requires a lot from players, but they're working hard to be in Rochester game shape.

"The summer practices to get conditioned are not fun, I'll tell you that," said senior tight end and outside linebacker Eli Cox. "We're getting better with conditioning, but we're still not where we need to be. We still need to be faster."

Senior wide receiver Logan Carmody said competition is driving getting in better shape.

"Competition between each other is what pushes us to have better conditioning," Carmody said. "You can't just come out here and practice. You have to have that great mindset of wanting to win."

Despite fielding a young team last season, the Rockets went 4-2 in games decided by two possessions or less, including winning two out of three overtime games. They hope their confidence in tight games rolls over to this season.

"It's the mental focus. It's the stuff we're learning now, but it's also the stuff that we learned two or three weeks ago," Carmody said.

Cox credited the coaching staff's preparation for the team's ability to perform in tight situations.

"Our coaches prepare us for everything, so whenever we're going through practice, simple things like reads and a lot of film watching prepares us for those tight games," Cox said.

Leonard said some of that is just how the ball bounces.

"Especially being young last year, I'm surprised we won all of those. I'm proud of our kids and we did, but being as young as we were, sometimes the young team doesn't always win. But that shows the heart and grit of this team, I guess," Leonard said.

Rochester opens the season on the road against Moline.

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