ROCHELLE — The Hubs varsity football team dominated Friday night’s matchup against Chicago (Agricultural Science) and there was nothing the Cyclones could do about it.

Behind 10 offensive touchdowns including 150 rushing yards and five scores by senior Ehren Metzger, No. 8 seed Rochelle commanded the game from start to finish, sweeping away No. 9 seed Agricultural Science 69-0 to qualify for the second round of the IHSA Class 4A Playoffs.

“Everybody got in and we came out healthy,” head coach Kevin Crandall said. “That’s all you can ask for.”

Agricultural Science (6-4, 5-1 Great Lakes) reached the postseason for the first time in program history this fall, but the Cyclones were simply outclassed by the Hubs on Friday. Rochelle (7-3, 3-1 NIB-12 West) needed just one play to take the lead early in the first quarter, with senior Alex Harvey rumbling forward for a 35-yard touchdown to give the Hubs a 6-0 advantage.

Junior Brandon Johnson scored from 12 yards out on Rochelle’s next possession after an Agricultural Science punt, and senior quarterback Noah Mershon completed a 2-point conversion run soon after. Metzger ran in his first touchdown of the night on a 15-yard play with 5:01 remaining in the opening quarter, and Mershon fired a pass to senior Blake Albers for another 2-point score.

The Cyclones punted four times in the first quarter, and every punt resulted in a Rochelle touchdown. Metzger’s second score of the game came from 1 yard away, and after junior Noah Knight rushed for 2 more Rochelle points, the Hubs led Agricultural Science 30-0 with 2:18 still to play in the opening quarter.

Penalties and fumbles doomed Agricultural Science in the first half. After a mishandled snap on fourth down, Johnson sacked Cyclone quarterback Elijah Jones for a 17-yard loss, and Metzger rushed for a 9-yard touchdown three plays later. Senior Brendon Danekas intercepted Jones on Agricultural Science’s next drive, and Metzger cashed in once again, this time from 30 yards to give the Hubs a 44-0 lead with 6:54 left in the second quarter.

“Ehren’s continued to improve each week,” Crandall said. “I’m really proud of this group. They’ve hung in together and hopefully we have a few more wins ahead of us.”

Metzger’s fifth and final touchdown completed a three-play, 23-yard drive to put Rochelle up 51-0 after the extra point by junior Eddie Villalobos. The Hubs continued to strike in the second half, with sophomore quarterback Ethan Etes rushing for a 5-yard touchdown in the third quarter, his first career varsity score.

Senior Austin Tracey recovered Villalobos’ ensuing kickoff, and junior Louie Mancinas ran for the first of two touchdowns Friday night, breaking through the Agricultural Science defense for a 38-yard scamper. Mancinas finished with 73 yards on six carries to finish third among Rochelle running backs.

Harvey rushed for 90 yards to up his season total to 1,153. Metzger increased his rushing output to 1,026 after Friday night’s performance, and the two seniors have combined for 29 of Rochelle’s 50 offensive touchdowns this year. With a likely rematch against No. 1 seed Johnsburg looming in the next round, Crandall and the Hubs will be looking for revenge after falling to the Skyhawks 40-22 in Week 2.

“We just have to play a little better than we did last time,” Crandall said. “About 5 or 6 plays went their way and we need to get a couple of those to go our way.”