Sycamore stays perfect with win over Rochelle

SYCAMORE - There was no drama this week for the Sycamore Spartans, as they stayed undefeated on the season, never trailing while dispatching the visiting Rochelle Hubs 33-7.

The Spartans (5-0) came out firing, hitting on two big touchdown passes on their first two drives.

“We said we wanted to get off to a fast start because obviously they were slowing everything down,” Sycamore coach Joe Ryan said. “We had to take advantage of our opportunities and I think we did with some big plays.”

After two plays that gained a total 3 yards to start the game, the Spartans went to the air for the home run. Spartan quarterback Eli Meier found senior receiver Ben Herrmann streaking down the field for a 57-yard catch and run to put the Spartans up 6-0.

“I just try to take every opportunity to score,” Meier said. “That sets the tone for the whole game, so every opportunity we get, we have to hit it.”

Meier had four touchdowns on the day. He finished 7-for-14 for 118 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. He also ran for 17 yards on four carries, including a 1-yard touchdown run.

On the Spartans’ next possession, Meier again aired out a touchdown pass, this time to receiver Xavier Gangepain. Meier hit Gangepain in stride for a 28-yard strike. The Spartans led 13-0 before the end of the first quarter and they wouldn’t look back.

The Hubs (1-4) kept the Spartans on their toes in the first half, grinding out drives on the ground from their wing-T formation, but were unable to get into the end zone.

“We went toe to toe with probably the best team in our conference,” Hubs coach Kyle Kissack said. “We gave up two big plays in the first half, but we played about as good as we could have there in the first half. I’m proud of my kids.”

The Spartans took control early in the second half after the Hubs turned the ball over on downs just outside their own 20.

It took five plays for the Spartans to score another touchdown on a Nathaniel Altepeter 8 yard touchdown blast to put the home team up 19-0.

On the next possession, Bailey Wiegmann intercepted Hubs quarterback Josh Lloyd and returned the ball to the Rochelle 12 yard line.

“I just basically saw they were running that comeback (route) all game, so I could it coming,” Wiegmann said. “I just jumped it and got the pick. I could see the quarterback the whole time and I knew where he was going with it.”

Three plays later on first and goal from the one-yard line, Meier fumbled the snap back 2 yards, but recovered it and dove in for the touchdown for a 26-0 Spartan lead.

“I couldn’t think at all,” Meier said. “I just had to go off instincts. The ball is on the ground, I’ve got to get it and make the most out of it. (Coach Ryan) was confused as to what I was doing. I just had to tell him I dropped it.”

Meier capped off the Spartan scoring with his third touchdown pass of the game to tight end Kaden Ladas. Meier scrambled left and lofted the bass into the waiting arms of Ladas to put the Spartans up 33-0 on the first play of the fourth quarter.

The Hubs scored their only touchdown of the game with two minutes left to play. Running back Garrett Gensler broke through the Spartan line and rumbled 34 yards to avoid the shut out.