May 18, 2024
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Rochester powers through St. Laurence 59-38 in IHSA Class 4A state championship

Rockets win ninth state title in program history

By Michal Dwojak
Rochester's Parker Gillespie runs the ball down the sidelines while St. Laurence's Jack Callaghan defends during the Class 4A State football championship on Friday, Nov, 24, 2023 at Hancock Stadium in Normal.

Rochester's Parker Gillespie runs the ball down the sidelines while St. Laurence's Jack Callaghan defends during the Class 4A State football championship on Friday at Hancock Stadium in Normal. (Scott Anderson)

NORMAL – Rochester had come close to adding on to the program’s impressive run of eight championships since 2010 over the past couple of years, but the Rockets couldn’t find a way to it.

The Rockets found the solution Friday night.

Six different Rochester players scored to show off its dynamic offense in a 59-38 win over St. Laurence to capture the Class 4A state title.

“That what I love about our offense,” Bryan Zalauf said. “You’re never going to know our next move.”

Saturday was the Rockets’ first title since 2019 and the ninth since 2010 under coach Derek Leonard. The program has now won a title in each championship appearance.

Rochester (14-0) foretold how the night would go on its first drive when it went 76 yards and scored on a Henry Buecker 12-yard with 9:43 left in the game. The Rockets and Vikings combined to break the 83 total points record in a 4A title game set in 2001.

“That what I love about our offense,” Bryan Zalauf said. “You’re never going to know our next move.”

—  Bryan Zalauf, Rochester quarterback

Zulauf completed a 14-yard pass to Buecker with 4:50 left in the first quarter before Nolan Mrozowski rushed for two touchdowns in the second quarter.

Cannon Bruce and Lance Ingold each caught a touchdown pass in the third quarter while Parker Gillespie rushed in for two in the fourth.

The Rockets have had the luxury of fitting in different pieces throughout its offense for much of the season and Saturday was no different.

“It just makes our lives easier,” Zalauf said. “So much fun to score.”

Rochester finished with 492 total yards. Zulauf completed 15-of-19 passes for 178 yards. Mrozowski led the way with 132 rushing yards.

The Rockets scored on nine of their 10 drives, only failing to score on a fumble during its fourth possession. Rochester coach Derek Leonard credited his team playing good fundamentals to not letting the championship moment get the best of it.

“We did not beat ourselves, and that’s big in a state championship,” Leonard said. “That’s how good these kids are.”

St. Laurence (10-4) played in its first state title game since 1976. The Vikings first scored on a 16-yard run from quarterback Evan Les with 7:02 left in the first quarter while Aaron Ball rushed in for a 3-yard run with 7:05 left in the second quarter. Les ran in for a touchdown and Rob Francis caught one in the third quarter while Ball rushed for one in the fourth.

Les completed 7-of-16 passes for 138 yards while Ball rushed for 160 yards.

St. Laurence coach Adam Nissen was proud of how his team played. The Vikings prepared for the Rockets’ diversity, they just couldn’t make plays to stop drives.

“Nothing really surprised us,” Nissen said. “They just executed when they needed to.”

Leonard was proud that this group of seniors found a way to come together to win a state title. It kept a whole team effort, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“They just kept fighting,” Leonard said. “It’s a blessed team and I’m blessed to be in this town, blessed to be around these kids.”