ROCHELLE — The Rochelle varsity football team may have barely missed its chance at an opening-week victory this past Saturday, but the Hubs will earn another opportunity to get themselves in the win column when they host nonconference foe Johnsburg on Friday at 7 p.m. for Rochelle Junior Tackle night.

Rochelle (0-1) and Johnsburg (0-1) are each coming off tough losses this past weekend. The Hubs fell against Marion in the closing seconds, while the Skyhawks also surrendered a late lead in their 14-13 loss to Marian Central. Friday’s game will be the fourth matchup between the two teams since 2016, and Rochelle head coach Kyle Kissack said the pairing has become a bit of a rivalry after the Hubs eliminated the Skyhawks at Johnsburg in last year’s playoffs.

“We had a couple of big games against them last year,” Kissack said. “They have a really nice program. They run some good schemes and they defend us well. We’re going to have to be ready to play on Friday… Our message for the kids this week is just to get better. We’ve spent a ton of time coaching our kids to focus on today, and if we can win each day, the byproduct is getting a win on Friday.”

Johnsburg topped Rochelle 40-22 in the pair’s first matchup last season before the Hubs exacted revenge on the top-seeded Skyhawks (who were 10-0 at the time) in the second round of the Class 4A playoffs. Johnsburg’s loss to Marian Central was the program’s first loss in a regular season since 2015.

“A lot of things they like to do offensively are things we’ve spent a lot of time on over the summer,” Kissack said. “For us it’s about finishing with authority and I think there were times this past Saturday where we didn’t do that. We want to finish defensively. They have a few skill kids they like to get the ball to in space and they do a good of that.”

Rochelle will look to continue attacking opposing defenders with their downhill rushing attack. The Hubs totaled over 350 rushing yards against Marion, and Rochelle recorded just over 550 rushing yards over two games against the Skyhawks in 2017. Both seniors Brandon Johnson and Eddie Villalobos were over 100 yards rushing last week.

Johnsburg is led by first-year head coach Sam Lesniak, who was the team’s defensive coordinator last year. While there is plenty of football left to play this season, both teams will be seeking to avoid beginning 2018 with an 0-2 record.

“I’m sure their game plan will be similar to what it’s been in the past,” Kissack said. “I don’t think it’s much of a secret as to what we like to do offensively. We want to be physical at the point of attack… Every game is important, and the fact we’re both 0-1 doesn’t mean it’s the end of the season.”