Football: Hubs set to open NIB-12 West play against Geneseo

Rochelle (1-2) victorious over last two meetings with Maple Leafs

Russell Hodges
Posted 9/11/18

The football tradition shared by Rochelle and Geneseo dates back several decades, and both varsity programs will have a chance to renew their rivalry when the Hubs host the Maple Leafs on Friday at 7 p.m. for Hall of Fame Night.

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Football: Hubs set to open NIB-12 West play against Geneseo

Rochelle (1-2) victorious over last two meetings with Maple Leafs

Posted

ROCHELLE — The football tradition shared by Rochelle and Geneseo dates back several decades, and both varsity programs will have a chance to renew their rivalry when the Hubs host the Maple Leafs on Friday at 7 p.m. for Hall of Fame Night.

Geneseo (2-1) entered the Associated Press Top 10 as the No. 9 team in Class 4A. Rochelle (1-2) hasn’t cracked the polls this season, but the Hubs have owned the Maple Leafs over the last two years, winning by a combined score of 71-7. Rochelle head coach Kyle Kissack and the Hubs will be looking to build off last weekend’s 28-point victory at Galesburg.

“I thought it was important for our kids to get a victory Friday night,” Kissack said. “We’ve been working through some adversity, so it was important for our kids to rise above that and get a win... We [Rochelle and Geneseo] have very similar types of kids and schemes. The last couple of meetings have been very physical, hard-fought games. I would expect a lot of the same, and I would expect an old-fashioned football game with both sides getting off the ball.”

The Hubs jumped on Galesburg quickly last weekend, scoring 30 of their 36 points in the first half to keep the game out of reach for the Silver Streaks. Rochelle will be looking for another fast start against the Maple Leafs, who topped Galesburg 28-0 on Aug. 31 and cruised past Quincy Notre Dame 44-6 on Sept. 7.

“I’d anticipate that the team being more physical and controlling the point of attack better will be more successful,” Kissack said. “Our kids played with a sense of urgency against Galesburg, and they attacked success as opposed to sitting back and waiting for success. That was something we were encouraged by… Playing fast and playing with urgency is going to be important this weekend.”

Three Geneseo running backs surpassed 100 yards rushing against Quincy Notre Dame last weekend including Zachary Olson who led the Maple Leafs with 130 yards and three touchdowns. Alex McAvoy (112 yards) and Colton Pischke (102 yards) are also skill players Rochelle will need to contain Friday night. Rochelle will look to counter with seniors Eddie Villalobos and Noah Knight, who each scored two touchdowns at Galesburg.

Sophomores Noah Messer and Mike Schlenbecker will start on the offensive line for the Hubs, while junior Gavin Ansteth will start at inside linebacker. Senior Cory Fant will start at defensive end, and junior Charlie Jandak is day-to-day with an elbow injury.

“There’s a lot of tradition amongst our two schools,” Kissack said. “We have very similar schemes both offensively and defensively. Each school and community has had consistent success over the years. Anytime Rochelle and Geneseo get matched up for a football game, it’s an exciting opportunity to compete. It’s an old-fashioned football game.”