Football: Hubs hosting improved Yorkville squad for Homecoming

Rochelle (3-2) eyes fourth consecutive victory

Russell Hodges
Posted 9/25/18

The Rochelle varsity football team extended its winning streak to three games against LaSalle-Peru this past Friday, but the challenges will only get tougher as the Hubs return home and prepare for a Homecoming showdown against Yorkville on Friday, Sept. 28 at 7 p.m.

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Football: Hubs hosting improved Yorkville squad for Homecoming

Rochelle (3-2) eyes fourth consecutive victory

Posted

ROCHELLE — The Rochelle varsity football team extended its winning streak to three games against LaSalle-Peru this past Friday, but the challenges will only get tougher as the Hubs return home and prepare for a Homecoming showdown against Yorkville on Friday, Sept. 28 at 7 p.m.

Rochelle (3-2, 2-0 NIB-12 West) has defeated the Foxes in each of the past two seasons, but Yorkville (4-1, 1-1 NIB-12 East) will be looking for revenge after suffering a heartbreaking overtime loss against Sycamore this past Friday. The Foxes have already matched their win total from the past two seasons, when Yorkville went a combined 4-14. The Foxes are led by head coach Dan McGuire.

“They play really hard and they play downhill,” head coach Kyle Kissack said. “They rally to the football defensively. I’ve watched film from the last few years, and I think it’s always been a good game between Rochelle and Yorkville. I think they’ve put some things together this year and they’re certainly playing well right now.”

The Hubs will continue rallying behind senior playmakers Eddie Villalobos and Noah Knight, who combined for 268 rushing yards and seven total touchdowns with two defensive interceptions against LaSalle-Peru this past Friday. Both players received Athlete of the Week honors from Rockford’s WREX-TV Friday Night Lights broadcast for their efforts to lead Rochelle over the Cavaliers.

“They certainly have some skill sets that, when combined, are very valuable for us on offense and defense,” Kissack said. “They’re two completely different types of kids although their skills are similar, and we try to utilize them the best way we can. They’re great leaders for us and they’ve given just about everything they can give to our program over the last four years.”

Rochelle steamrolled LaSalle-Peru during the first half of Friday’s varsity football game, leading 28-6 at halftime before the contest divulged into an offensive shootout between the two Northern Illinois Big 12 West rivals. The Hubs surrendered 27 points in the second half, and Kissack said he’ll need to see a more complete team effort against Yorkville, which is off to its best start since 2014.

“We need consistent play in all phases of the football game for four quarters,” Kissack said. “We’ve had times where we’ve been really solid offensively, defensively and on special teams. But we haven’t put all phases of the game together with a consistent level. That’s something we’ve spent some time this week taking a look at and coaching up.”

Quarterback Josh Beetham (16-of-27 for 211 yards against Sycamore) will take the snaps for Yorkville, while Toran Harris (140 total yards) headlines the offensive backfield for the Foxes. Leading rusher Jacob Brooks is out for the season with a torn ACL, while leading wide receiver Nico Medrano did not play against the Spartans this past Friday.

With the Homecoming atmosphere expected to give the crowd an added vibrance for Friday’s game, Kissack said the team’s main focus this week has been worrying only about the elements of the game they can control.

“I think they look forward to coming out and playing a hard-fought football game Friday night,” Kissack said.