Written by Jack Hart – ILSportsWire
NORMAL, Ill. — Under the bright lights of Hancock Stadium, two of Illinois’ premier football programs — the Rochester Rockets and the Montini Catholic Broncos — collided in a classic public-school vs. Catholic-school championship fight. Both teams carried tradition, banners, and history into the finale. One had been unbeatable. The other carried unstoppable momentum.
In the end, Montini Catholic held off Rochester in a 47–33 shootout — but the Rockets walked off the field as a team that earned respect, pride, and the heart of a champion.
FIRST HALF: TRADING BLOWS EARLY
Montini struck first, punching in an early touchdown to grab momentum.
But Rochester — as they have all season — answered back.
Sophomore Evrim Tabag, who became a breakout star of the Rockets’ playoff run, powered in a touchdown of his own. The extra-point missed, leaving the Rockets trailing 7–6, but confidence was growing on the sideline.
Montini responded with a score from Charles Flowers with 5:27 left in the half, extending the lead to 14–6.
Once again, Rochester refused to fade. Tabag delivered another touchdown, cutting into the deficit, but the two-point conversion came up short.
Montini swung back once more before halftime, as Nico Castaldo punched in his second touchdown of the night. The Rockets entered the locker room down 21–12 — still alive, still fighting.
SECOND HALF: AN OFFENSIVE FIREWORK SHOW
If the first half was a heavyweight spar, the second was an explosion.
Montini opened the third quarter with a quick strike — a touchdown to Luca Florio on the second play of the half, stretching the lead to 28–12.
The Rockets stalled on their next possession, and Montini capitalized again. Damacio Ortegon hauled in a touchdown with 6:28 left in the third, and suddenly Rochester was staring at a 34–12 deficit.
Most teams fold in that moment.
But not Rochester.
ROCKETS COME ROARING BACK
With their season on the ropes, Tabag once again delivered. The sophomore found the end zone for the third time, cutting the deficit to 34–18.
Moments later, the stadium erupted.
Defensive playmaker Nate Swaney jumped a route, snagged an interception, and raced it back for a pick-six — igniting the Rochester sideline and bringing the Rockets to within 34–26 late in the third.
Rochester had life.
Rochester had momentum.
Rochester had belief.
But Montini had an answer.
BRONCOS FINISH STRONG
With 9:29 left in the game, Montini found the end zone again, halting Rochester’s surge.
Then, with 4:29 remaining, 4-star quarterback Israel Abrams muscled his way in for the dagger score, giving Montini a 47–26 advantage.
Still, the Rockets refused to quit.
Senior leader Khorbin Gregory, in his final game wearing orange and blue, scored a late touchdown to bring Rochester to 33–47 — a fitting final moment for a senior who has given everything to the program.
HEART OF A CHAMPION
The Rockets fell short on the scoreboard, but not in pride.
This was a team with zero expectations, zero hype, and zero belief from the outside world just months ago. Yet they earned their way to the final stage of Illinois football.
Head coach Derek Leonard praised his group after the game, saying:
“I am so proud — so proud of our seniors and our whole football team. We just needed to make a few more plays.”
Sophomore standout Khordell Gregory echoed that hunger:
“The Rockets are going to come back next year and want it more. We’ll do everything we can. It starts in training and the weight room.”
A SEASON TO REMEMBER
The Rockets didn’t just make a run — they made a statement.
They showed resilience, belief, and the never-die spirit that has defined Rochester football for more than a decade. They proved that even with obstacles and inexperience, heart can carry a program a long way.
Tonight, Montini Catholic became state champions.
But Rochester?
They walked off that field as something just as meaningful —
A team with pride, identity, and a future as bright as ever.