ROCHELLE — Kyle Eyster received First-Team All-Conference recognition by the Northern Illinois Big 12 West for the second season in a row, and the senior guard wasn’t Rochelle’s only offensive lineman to take home First-Team honors this season.

Eyster was one of five Rochelle captains on the varsity football team this year, and he was an integral part of an offensive line that helped the Hubs rush for an average of 302.4 yards per game while recording 58 total touchdowns. The senior was also one of two Hub offensive linemen to receive First-Team All-Conference recognition last season (Danny Redington).

“It’s a great feeling to be selected for the second year in a row,” Eyster said. “The line was able to work together so well because we have been together for so long. A lot of us have been together for four years, if not longer. I believe I was a lot faster off the ball this year… Never quit working hard. The experience isn’t like anything else.”

Joining Eyster on the NIB-12 West All-Conference First Team this season is junior Will Jandak, who started at right tackle for all 12 games. Jandak is one of several players who made the jump to varsity after helping the Rochelle sophomore football team win the NIB-12 West title in 2016. Senior guard DiQuan Ishmon earned an All-Conference Honorable Mention.

“It feels really good to be recognized,” Jandak said. “We’re all close friends and we didn’t want to let each other down. We always had each other’s backs. I want to get a lot stronger and faster on the line, and next year I need to work on staying low. We love playing each other and we have a really great time together.”