ROCHELLE — The Rochelle Junior Tackle teams enjoyed another successful weekend on the football field, finishing with four wins and zero losses against Stillman Valley on Saturday. The fifth-graders, sixth-graders and seventh-graders all remained unbeaten on the season, while the eighth-graders earned their second victory. Rochelle will host Dixon on Saturday, Sept. 11.

8th Grade (2-1)

Roman Villalobos kick-started the Rochelle offense with a 49-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. With the Junior Hubs leading 8-6 later in the first quarter, Van Gerber extended Rochelle’s lead with a 28-yard touchdown pass to Brode Metzger. Gerber threw his second touchdown pass of the game in the second quarter, connecting on a 58-yarder to Gavin Neale.

Leading 22-6 in the third quarter, Rochelle further grew its lead when Metzger rushed for a 46-yard touchdown. The Junior Hubs defeated Stillman Valley by a final score of 28-14, with Metzger recording a team-high five tackles on defense while Brenden Voight adding 4.5 tackles.

7th Grade (3-0)

Dylan Manning broke the game open with a 41-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter to give Rochelle the early advantage. After Angel Argueta stepped up with a fumble recovery on defense, Rochelle extended its lead on a 12-yard rush from Manning and a 57-yard touchdown rush in the second quarter from Brody Bruns. Manning added a 20-yard run later in the quarter.

With the Junior Hubs leading 16-0 in the third quarter, Bruns ran the ball for 11 yards before finding Manning on a 25-yard pass. Bruns and Manning connected one more time soon after, linking up for a 23-yard touchdown reception. Rochelle topped Stillman Valley by a final score of 24-0, with Manning compiling a team-high 92 rushing yards. Bruns totaled seven tackles on defense, while Keegan Cathina added five tackles and Warren Schweitzer recorded 4.5 tackles.

6th Grade (3-0)

Bo Lundquist ignited the Rochelle offense with a 37-yard rush in the first quarter to set up a 28-yard touchdown run from Luke Chadwick. After Stillman Valley tied the game at 6-6, Rochelle’s Cohen Haedt found Lundquist for a 26-yard pass that led to Lundquist’s 15-yard touchdown rush in the second quarter. Elijah Schweitzer recovered a fumble late in the second quarter.

Leading 22-6 in the third quarter, Haedt connected with Dayton Mellor for a 22-yard pass that preceded Haedt’s 27-yard touchdown run. Lundquist added a 44-yard rush in the fourth quarter, which helped position the Junior Hubs for a 14-yard touchdown pass from Haedt to Holden Liebhaber.

Rochelle took down Stillman Valley by a final score of 38-20, with Lundquist leading the Junior Hub offense behind 135 rushing yards and two touchdowns on seven carries. Schweitzer recorded a team-high four tackles, while Sebastian Albertson added three tackles.

5th Grade (3-0)

Joey Chadwick opened the scoring with a 10-yard touchdown rush in the first quarter. Leading 8-0, Rochelle’s offense continued to move in the second quarter, when Braxton Bruns linked up with Riley Smith for a 21-yard pass.

Bruns then rushed for a 6-yard touchdown to help put the Junior Hubs ahead 16-0. Later in the second quarter, Bruns intercepted a Stillman Valley pass over the middle of the field and returned the ball 41 yards for a Rochelle touchdown.

Nolan Zick iced the Junior Hub win with a 17-yard touchdown rush. The fifth-graders won 28-0, with Bruns recording a team-leading five tackles on defense.