ROCHELLE — Rochelle senior Justin Hernandez scored the biggest takedown of the evening when the Hubs varsity wrestling team squared off against Dixon and Burlington Central in triangular action at Rochelle Township High School on Tuesday.

Tied 5-5 after three periods with Burlington Central standout and 2016-17 state qualifier Nick Termini, Hernandez managed to bring the 138-pounder to the ground as the Rochelle bench erupted in applause. The victory helped Rochelle defeat Burlington Central 48-27 before the Hubs ended Tuesday evening with their second team match against Dixon.

“Those matches really help the kids develop confidence,” head coach Rich Harvey said. “Justin went after that kid and he never gave up. He gave up one takedown and he came right back and took him down… It was an unbelievable match.”

Rochelle senior Alex Harvey ignited a stretch of three straight wins over Burlington Central to start the team match, winning by fall over Colin Wrobel at 195 pounds before senior Bazil Bennett pinned 220-pounder Josh Ferro and junior Nick Henson won by fall over 285-pounder Michael Dubanowski. The Rockets bounced back from their 18-point deficit with four victories of their own, however, jumping ahead 24-18 before Rochelle sophomore Keegan Davis defeated Joshua Wiltsie by 6-5 decision.

“We had an opportunity to get some kids in the lineup who haven’t been in the lineup,” Harvey said. “Our 106, 113 and 120-pounders are first-year freshmen and they went out and wrestled their first varsity matches. I was proud of them for that and they got some experience under their belts.”

The 7-5 overtime win by Hernandez at 138 pounds tied the match 24-24 before junior Jacob Fore cruised to his first varsity win of the season, pinning Aiden Pfeiffer at 145 pounds to give Rochelle the lead once again. Junior Eddie Villalobos won by fall over Patrick Paez at 152 pounds, and junior Cody Hasz earned a forfeit at 160 pounds before sophomore Gavin Ansteth pinned Sam Kang at 170 pounds to effectively seal the Rochelle team win. Zachary Collins topped Rochelle sophomore Bryan Garza 5-3 to end the match.

Bennett (4-1 decision over Colton Moore) and Henson (16-0 technical fall over Forest Schmall) gave the Hubs an 8-0 lead over Dixon before the Dukes piled up three forfeits at 106, 113 and 120. Gable Hale and Elijah Ankney earned pins at 126 and 132 before Rochelle sophomore Diego Escobar won by fall over Michael Ullrich at 138 pounds.

Hernandez capped off a solid night by winning 8-3 over 2016-17 sectional qualifier Bryce Christiansen at 145 pounds, and after a pin by Matt Lohse at 152, Villalobos stepped up to 160 and defeated another sectional qualifier in Sebastian Quintana by 11-4 decision.

“Eddie wrestled a really smart match,” Harvey said. “If he sets the pace he can probably wrestle with anybody in the state because he’s quick enough to score at any time. He has really good defense on his feet, and as the match continued he grew more confident.”

Hunter Pate and Clint Schielein locked up Dixon’s 45-26 team victory over Rochelle with two wins at 170 and 182 before Alex Harvey pinned Brandon Finn at 195 for his second win of the night. The Hubs (1-1 overall) will return to action against Rock Falls and Erie-Prophetstown at Erie High School on Nov. 29 at 5 p.m.