Rochelle Junior Tackle hosted its first home games of the 2019 season on Saturday, when the Junior Hubs battled the Dixon Dukes at Helms Field. Rochelle teams went 3-1 over four games, with two teams (seventh and fifth grade) remaining unbeaten and the sixth-graders earning their first victory of the year.
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ROCHELLE — Rochelle Junior Tackle hosted its first home games of the 2019 season on Saturday, when the Junior Hubs battled the Dixon Dukes at Helms Field. Rochelle teams went 3-1 over four games, with two teams (seventh and fifth grade) remaining unbeaten and the sixth-graders earning their first victory of the year.
8th Grade
Rochelle (0-2) held an early lead over Dixon before the Dukes rallied in the second half to defeat the Junior Hubs by a score of 20-14. Erich Metzger ignited the Rochelle offense early in the first quarter, running 63 yards for a touchdown to put the Junior Hubs ahead 6-0. Rochelle fumbled on its second possession, but key sacks from Metzger and Quentin Berry stalled a promising Dixon drive.
Dixon converted a 10-yard touchdown pass and 2-point play early in the second quarter to briefly lead 8-6 before Metzger returned the ensuing kickoff 71 yards for a touchdown. Tommy Tourdot rushed for the 2-point conversion and gave the Junior Hubs a 14-8 advantage. Rochelle kept its lead at halftime, and the Junior Hubs started the third quarter strong on defense when Tourdot intercepted a Dixon pass.
Rochelle was unable to find the end zone during the entire second half, however, while the Dukes scored two touchdowns to even the score and ultimately win the game.
7th Grade
Rochelle (2-0) followed an impressive win against Byron by cruising over Dixon on Saturday by a score of 28-8. Brandyn Metzger capped off Rochelle’s first drive of the game with a 3-yard touchdown run that preceded a 2-point conversion rush from Grant Gensler. The Junior Hubs went 2-for-2 on scoring drives in the first quarter, with Gensler rushing into the end zone from 15 yards away to put Rochelle ahead 14-0 after one quarter.
The Junior Hubs added to their lead in the second quarter when Ethan Goodwin rushed for a 1-yard touchdown and Xavier Villalobos ran in the 2-point conversion. Leading 22-0 at halftime, Rochelle scored another touchdown in the third quarter courtesy of a 13-yard rush from Gensler. Dixon’s lone points came on a 40-yard rushing touchdown and 2-point play in the fourth quarter. Rochelle outpaced Dixon 268-83 in total yards.
6th Grade
Rochelle (1-1) defeated Dixon by a score of 14-0 to lock down its first win of the 2019 season. The Junior Hubs struck first when Caden Goodwin scampered for a 43-yard rushing touchdown before Rochelle added the 2-point conversion. Mark Green recorded Rochelle’s second touchdown, running 34 yards to the end zone.
5th Grade
Rochelle (2-0) remained perfect on the season, topping Dixon by a score of 14-0. Brody Bruns scored on the first play from scrimmage, running 65 yards for a touchdown before Bobby Tourdot converted the 2-point play and put Rochelle ahead 8-0. Tyler Gensler added a 5-yard rushing touchdown shortly after a strong series from the Rochelle defense. The score capped off a seven-play drive that included a 25-yard run from Tourdot.
