SHENANDOAH, Texas — Three scout-team players from the Hub City were on hand to watch the North Central College football program make history in the Lone Star State on Friday.

The fifth-ranked Cardinals dominated the seventh-ranked Wisconsin-Whitewater Warhawks in the annual Stagg Bowl, winning 41-14 for the first NCAA Division III Championship in school history. The experience was unforgettable for many North Central players including former Rochelle standouts James Hart, Will Jandak and Eddie Villalobos, who were all members of the offensive scout team for the Cardinals this season.

“It’s crazy that I’m a part of a national championship team,” Hart said. “The reason I went to North Central was to win one and it’s so surreal that it happened. All I want to do now is get back to this game over each of the next three years. I know that with perseverance and belief in what’s ahead of us, we can do this again next year.”

“It was one of the best moments of my life,” Jandak added. “It’s hard to put into words. It’s one of those moments you dream about as a kid, and having one of those dreams come true is almost unbelievable. I will work as hard as possible to make it back there and have an opportunity to play next year.”

“It feels good knowing that you helped the boys get ready every week and knowing that all the practices were worth it,” Villalobos followed. “Winning the championship motivates me to keep working hard so we can relive what we experienced.”

All three Rochelle players committed to the Cardinals after leading the Hubs to the IHSA 5A State Playoffs during the 2018-19 campaign. Both Hart and Jandak earned their first game action when North Central throttled North Park 77-0 on Sept. 28. The Cardinals are developing Hart and Jandak on the offensive line, where both men shined during their senior seasons at Rochelle. Jandak finished his prep career as a two-time NIB-12 All-Conference offensive tackle, while Hart was named an All-Conference defensive tackle as a senior.

“My first season was up and down,” Hart said. “I missed all of fall camp with an injury but once I came back, I was able to contribute on the scout team, and I was able to start the junior varsity games on Sundays so I could get a feel for college ball... I’ve met some really awesome guys and I’m excited for the next few years. I think I’ve improved my technique and my pass blocking. I think I can get better in every area and continue shaping my body for success in the future.”

“My role was to do anything I could to help the starters win,” Jandak continued. “Most of this came from the scout team, where we mimicked the offenses from other teams. All the techniques we learned at North Central were a lot different than what we learned at Rochelle, but being a scout team lineman was where I learned the most. I went against the best defense in the nation during every practice. My first season with NCC was amazing.”

Villalobos stuck primarily with the offensive scout team this season, where the Cardinals are growing him at the running back position. Villalobos also received All-Conference honors twice in his high school career, compiling 1,082 yards and 17 touchdowns his senior season. The three-time IHSA State Championship wrestling qualifier is now preparing for his first collegiate season with North Central this winter.

“My first season was a lot different than I thought it would be but my role was to prepare our starting defense for the game every week by giving them a look at what the other team runs and doing that to the best of my ability,” Villalobos said. “I think I improved on my lifts and my self-discipline. I feel that I can keep getting better because there’s always room to improve.”

The Hub champions united with other North Central scout-team players after the Stagg Bowl for a group photo at midfield. Having helped the Cardinals reach the pinnacle in only their first season at the college, Hart, Jandak and Villalobos are more motivated than ever to work their way off the scout team and onto the playing field when their sophomore campaign arrives.

“My coaches at RTHS were a big help because they taught me self-discipline and respect,” Villalobos said. “They taught me to embrace whatever role I had. We study our film a lot more in college and we learn a much deeper perspective of the game.”

“It was definitely a lot different from high school,” Hart followed. “Division III has some of the best college football players in the country and that’s what I wanted when I came to the top program in the nation. It’s been a great challenge, but a tough one in adjusting to the new speed of the game and the skill levels of the players.”

“The coaching staff at RTHS prepared me the most for college football,” Jandak said. “I was taught about the importance of the team, and that was something we were reminded of during the season at North Central. Experiencing this at Rochelle helped me a lot.”