No. 9 by design: Rochester football captures ninth state title with win over St. Laurence

NORMAL — Rochester’s seniors were overdue for one.

The Rockets had been denied the ultimate prize the past three years, either from the COVID-19 pandemic or Central State Eight Conference rival Sacred Heart-Griffin.

Nothing was going to keep this particular group of upperclassmen from reaching the zenith this season.

Rochester outlasted Burbank St. Laurence 59-38 in the Class 4A state football championship game at Hancock Stadium on Friday, the ninth state title in program history but first since 2019.

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"This is something that they’ve been thinking for a long time," said Rochester coach Derek Leonard, in his 19th season. "Last few years came up short and they just kept fighting. I’m blessed to be in this town and I’m blessed to be around these kids."

Its prolific offense simmered throughout the chilly night. Senior receiver Henry Buecker particularly roamed free, whether as a rusher or receiver.

He scored the opening touchdown with a 12-yard run before dashing through a couple would-be tacklers for a 14-yard TD catch on a screen pass from junior Bryan Zulauf.

A pair of Nolan Mrozowski TD carries set up a 31-17 halftime lead.

Buecker caught 10 passes for 89 yards while also rushing for 57 yards. Mrozowski, a senior tailback, ran for 132 yards on 20 attempts.

Zulauf completed 15 of 19 passing attempts for 178 yards and three scores.

Buecker set the school record defensively with seven interceptions as a safety this season but also emerged as the team's go-to receiver in place of senior Parker Gillespie, who missed most of the season due to a torn meniscus.

"I’m just glad it worked out and we got our ring together," Buecker said.

Buecker wound up with 67 receptions, 1,119 yards receiving and 15 TDs this fall.

"Me and Henry have always been friends," Gillespie said. "When I went down, he knew his role and that he had to perform. And he did everything that was asked of him. You can’t ask for more than that."

Gillespie’s short TD plunge and senior defensive lineman Jack Swaney’s pass breakup on fourth down early in the fourth quarter dissolved any of St. Laurence’s remaining chances.

"It was really rewarding," Gillespie said. "It was nice to know that probably sealed the deal and that we were going to be the state champs after that."

Junior linebacker Jamal Bramer supplied a team-best 10 tackles for Rochester, while seniors Parker Lyons and Lance Ingold had seven apiece. Swaney had six tackles.

Swaney (baseball) and Ingold (football) will both resume their athletic careers at Northern Illinois University.

Senior running back Aaron Ball led the Vikings (10-4) with 160 rushing yards and two TDs on 26 carries. Senior QB Evan Les ran for two scores while throwing for another.

Rochester (14-0) has now won each of its nine trips to the state finals since 2010 under Leonard, including eight in 4A and one in 5A. It was the team’s first unbeaten season since 2017 and third overall.

LIVE UPDATES

Here are the live updates for the Class 4A high school football state championship game between Rochester and Burbank St. Laurence.

10:07 p.m. — Rochester captures its ninth state title in program history and first since 2019 with 59-38 victory over St. Laurence

9:35 p.m. — Parker Gillespie plunges into the end zone for his first score. Rochester leads St. Laurence 52-31 with 7:29 left in 4Q

9:22 p.m. — End of third quarter. Rochester leads St. Laurence 45-31 and has the ball at midfield

9:20 p.m. — Evan Les answers with short TD run and St. Laurence trails Rochester 45-31 with :28 seconds left in 3Q

9:08 p.m. — Bryan Zulauf tosses 20-yard TD pass to Lance Ingold on the tight end screen. Rochester leads St. Laurence 45-24 with 5:14 left in 3Q

9:03 p.m. — St. Laurence isn't folding yet. Evan Les throws 56-yard TD pass to Rob Francis to cut into Rochester lead, 37-24 with 6:36 left in 3Q

8:58 p.m. — Bryan Zulauf tosses 30-yard TD pass to Canon Bruce after Henry Buecker recovers fumble on defense. Rochester leads St. Laurence 37-17 with 9 minutes left in 3Q

8:28 p.m. — Half. Rochester leads St. Laurence 31-17

8:26 p.m. — Colin Bagley converts 30-yard field goal attempt to close gap for St. Laurence. Rochester leads St. Laurence 31-17 with 12 seconds left in 2Q

8:12 p.m. — Nolan Mrozowski scores his second TD run after Bryce Cook recovers loose ball on the kickoff return. Rochester leads St. Laurence 31-14 with 2:33 left in 2Q

8:04 p.m. — Nolan Mrozowski punches in short TD run. PAT attempt is blocked. Rochester leads St. Laurence 23-14 with 4:55 left in 2Q

7:56 p.m. — Aaron Ball scores short TD run following Rochester turnover on backward pass. Rochester leads St. Laurence 17-14 with 7:05 left in 2Q

7:44 p.m. — Lach Sullivan successfully kicks 34-yard field goal attempt after holding call wipes out TD run on fourth down. Rochester leads St. Luarence 17-7 with 11:12 left in 2Q

7:38 p.m. — End of first quarter. Rochester leads St. Laurence 14-7. Rockets are driving and have the ball at the St. Laurence 8 with 3rd-and-2 upcoming

7:28 p.m. — Bryan Zualuf completes 14-yard TD pass to Henry Buecker on the bubble screen. Rochester regains 14-7 lead over St. Laurence with 4:50 left in 1Q

7:21 p.m. — Evan Les scores on 16-yard TD keeper to tie the game. Rochester 7, St. Laurence 7 with 7:02 left in 1Q

7:13 p.m. — Henry Buecker scores game's first TD on 12-yard run after racing 46 yards on previous carry. Rochester leads St. Laurence 7-0 with 9:43 left in 1Q

7 p.m. — Rochester to receive the opening kickoff

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: IHSA football: Rochester wins 4A final against St. Laurence