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Greatest season ever stopped one yard short
of state finals
The distance from Rochester to Memorial Stadium in Champaign is around 85 miles. But for the
Rochester Rockets, it really was only one yard away.
With the season and a berth in the Class 4A state championship game on the line, Coach Derek
Leonard never hesitated. After the Rockets had driven 68 yards in 15 plays to score and get within one,
41-40 with :03.8 left in the 4th quarter, Leonard opted to play for the win with a two-point conversion.
But Metamora was able to stop quarterback Sean Robinson one yard short of the goal line and as a
result, the Redbirds will advance to the 4A finals this Friday while the Rockets saw their fabulous season
come to a sudden end with a 12-1 record.
In losing for the first time, the Rockets faced adversity in several forms. Metamora (12-1) overcame an
early 13-6 deficit with three 2nd quarter scores, two coming in the final 1:14 to grab a 27-13 halftime lead.
It was the first time the Rockets had trailed since the third game of the season against Jerseyville.
But on a day when Rochester didn't get its share of the breaks, the Rockets battled back to tie the
game at 34-34 after Dylan McKinney's blocked punt was returned 19 yards for a score by Chase Tackett
and Robinson's two-point conversion. Then after the Redbirds chewed up most of the 4th quarter with an
80 yard scoring march to regain the lead with 2:47 remaining, the Rockets countered with their own
inspired drive to get within one point.
Coach Leonard said he'd made up his mind during the drive to go for the win if the Rockets scored
and didn't second guess his decision afterward. "I asked the kids what they wanted to do and I was
hoping they'd say to go for it," Leonard said. "They wanted to do it. We'd had some problems kicking extra
points, so the tie wasn't a sure thing. And we'd had trouble stopping them and I thought overtime would
favor Metamora. Ten yards and in is more their kind of game. We took a chance, putting the ball in our
best player's hands and it just didn't work out."
The game, played in very nice weather conditions, saw both teams rack up big numbers on offense.
Rochester gained 432 total yards and 29 first downs to Metamora's 423 yards and 20 first downs. The
Rockets rushed for 291 yards on 51 attempts, led by Colten Glazebrook's 151 yards on 17 carries and
109 yards on 27 tries by Robinson. Robinson, who also threw for 143 yards and two touchdowns, ran for
two more.
But the Rockets gave up some big plays on defense. The Redbirds had two touchdown plays of 50
yards or more, and set up their first touchdown with another long pass play. Metamora quarterback
Michael Fay was the main main, rushing for 113 yards and four touchdowns, while completing all seven
of his passes for 145 yards. The Redbirds also capitalized on a mixup by the RHS offense on a 4th down
play late in the first half, turning the miscue into a touchdown.
"They never really stopped us but we had trouble stopping them," Leonard said.
A turning point came early in the 2nd quarter after Rochester had scored to take a 13-6 lead. Sean Ryan,
who had made 50 of 52 of his PAT attempts with both misses being blocked, was wide right with his
extra point kick. Metamora started at its 28 and two plays later, faced 3rd-and-eight. Fay passed to Dan
Burk over the middle and though the ball appeared to hit the ground, the officials awarded the catch,
good for 22 yards that sustained the drive.
After the Redbirds picked up a first down at the R35, a pass interference penalty gave them another
first down. Fay ran for 15 yards, and two plays later, the junior quarterback scored on a one yard run. The
PAT forced a 13-13 tie with 5:26 to play in the half.
The Rockets started at their 20 and quickly threatened as Glazebrook gained nine yards on a screen
pass, and one play later, ran for 22 more to the M45. Robinson scampered for 14 yards, then ran twice
for eight yards to set up 3rd-and-two at the M23. Jake Bivens broke around the right side for an apparent
13 yard gain, but a flag was dropped on the opposite side of the field, the call a personal foul against
Rochester. Pushed back to the M29, the Rockets turned the ball over on downs, failing to get an
interference call on a 4th down pass attempt to Taylor Hill.
Facing 3rd-and-four from its 35, the Redbirds stunned the Rockets with a trick play as Fay pitched to
Burk, who then passed up the sideline to David Kuhne. Kuhne made an over-the-shoulder catch looking
into the sun and outran the secondary to complete the 65 yard scoring play with 1:14 left in the half. The
PAT was good, putting the Redbirds up 20-13.
The Rockets got a first down at the R44 on an 11 yard pass to Matt Riechers, and Robinson came
back to Riechers for six more, but the next two passes were incomplete. With a half-minute to play, the
Rockets lined up on 4th down intending to have Robinson punt after a long count, but a mixup resulted in
center David Molohon snapping the ball early. Robinson tried to scramble away but was sacked for a
nine yard loss and Metamora took over at the R41 with :17 left. Fay passed to Aaron Peters for 18 yards
on a screen pass and the Redbirds took a timeout with :09 remaining. On the next play, Fay passed into
the end zone, where Kuhne made a great catch for the touchdown with three seconds left, giving the
hosts the 27-13 halftime lead.
With the momentum against them, the Rockets had to get something going to start the 3rd quarter
and they did, putting together a clutch 11 play drive that covered 80 yards. Robinson finished it off with a
15 yard pass to Hill, who made a leaping grab in the end zone. Ryan's PAT was wide, leaving the 27-19
deficit with 8:15 to play in the 3rd. Key plays on the drive were a 30 yard pass to Kyle Brozka, who made a
diving catch over the middle, a 27 yard screen to Glazebrook, and a nine yard run by Bivens for a first
down at the M25.
Metamora countered with a score of its own after another big 3rd down conversion. After Peters
gained 12 on first down, two running plays netted only five yards and a penalty, one of only two in the
game against the hosts, brought up 3rd-and-10. But Fay connected with Burk for 13 yards to the M45 and
two plays later, Fay slanted off the right side and escaped for a 50 yard touchdown, rebuilding the
Metamora lead to 34-19 with 3:51 left in the 3rd quarter.
Back came the Rockets with a 13 play, 80 yard scoring drive. Robinson got a first down with a seven
yard run, and one play later, Bivens ran for nine. The Redbirds stacked up Bivens for no gain, but on 4th
down, Robinson picked up two yards to move the chains. Glazebrook, behind a key block by Aaron O'Dell,
sliced through the Redbirds for 22 yards, and two plays later, on 3rd down, Glazebrook came through
with a 15 yard run all the way to the Metamora one yard line. Robinson was stopped short but Bivens
dived over on the next play for the touchdown with :16 remaining in the 3rd. Ryan added the PAT to make
it 34-26.
The RHS defense then came up with a crucial stand as three straight running plays were stopped for
one yard losses by Tyler Donaldson, Adam Green and Bivens to force a punt. Beau Geier's punt was
blocked by McKinney and Tackett was there to scoop up the loose ball, stay on his feet assisted by Riley
McMinn, and race 19 yards for the touchdown. The Rockets went for the two-point conversion, and
Robinson scored standing up for the 34-34 deadlock with 10:34 to play.
Metamora started from its 20 after Ryan's kickoff resulted in a touchback, and Peters, who gained 95
yards on 24 attempts, ripped off a 21 yard run on first down. Facing 4th-and-inches, Peters picked up
seven yards to the R43, and one play later, Fay connected with Austin Ford over the middle for 12 yards.
The Redbirds converted another 4th-and-one as Fay ran for eight yards to the R14. Peters was
tackled for a yard loss by Donaldson and McMinn tackled Fay for no gain to bring up 3rd-and-10. After a
timeout, Fay's pass to Kyle Albertson was incomplete at the goal line and it appeared the Redbirds
would have to settle for a field goal try.
But a penalty flag lay at the line of scrimmage and the call was defensive holding in the line against
Rochester. After the walkoff, Fay scored on an eight yard keeper on the next play to give Metamora a
41-34 lead with 2:47 remaining.
Glazebrook's 24 yard return started the Rockets at their 32. On 3rd-and-nine, Robinson passed to
Brozka, who made a diving catch for 22 yards to the M45, and Glazebrook followed with an 18 yard run.
Three runs gained seven yards and after a timeout, Glazebrook powered ahead for three yards to convert
the 4th down to the M17.
Glazebrook carried twice for gains of two and five yards, and after a timeout, Robinson got two to bring
up 4th-and-one. This time, Bivens plowed forward for three big yards for a first down at the M5 as the
clock went under one minute. After a three yard run by Glazebrook, Robinson tried to hit Bane in the end
zone but the pass was overthrown. The Rockets came back with the same play and this time Bane
outfought two defenders for the reception and the two yard touchdown with :03.8 left.
The Rockets then played for the win on the two-point try, but Robinson was stopped short in his run
up the middle at the one yard line by Metamora's Preston Butner and Bryan Love. The Redbirds would
recover the onside kick attempt and Fay took a knee to end the Rockets' best season ever. Metamora will
play Geneseo Friday for the 4A state championship.
The Redbirds scored on the game's opening possession on Fay's six yard keeper with 7:48 left in the
first quarter. The big play was a pass to tight end Vince Fraboni, who rambled 55 yards to the R10,
setting up the touchdown two plays later. The score stayed at 6-0 as Brandon VanMieghem's extra point
was wide left.
Rochester needed less than two minutes to return the favor. Starting at the R34 after a 26 yard return
by Glazebrook, the Rockets sprung Glazebrook for 25 yards on first down and two plays later, Robinson
converted a 3rd down with a 16 yard pass to Bane to the M21. After a one yard run by Glazebrook,
Robinson raced through the Redbird defense to score from 20 yards out. Ryan converted to give RHS a
7-6 edge with 5:54 to play in the first quarter.
Metamora got one first down but had to punt three plays later as McMinn made two defensive stops.
The Redbirds nearly lost a fumble on first down, recovered by Love in the backfield. From the R47, the
Rockets took 13 plays to score the go-ahead td on Robinson's two yard run. Robinson converted three
3rd downs along the way with runs of nine, seven and six yards, the last to the M4. After Bivens gained
two, Robinson carried it over with 11:28 left in the 2nd for the 13-6 lead.
Leonard gave the Redbirds credit but added "they got every break possible, though I hate to say that.
But our kids kept fighting back."
It was an emotional huddle after the game, with the coach needing some time to collect himself
before telling the Rockets "you are the greatest team I've ever been a part of." Leonard praised his
seniors and said "you sophomores and juniors, we're going to be back and win it for them."
"It's one of the hardest things I've ever had to do," Leonard said afterward about talking to the team. "I
love them all so much and they gave me everything I could ask for. I'm so proud of my players and my
coaches, they're all very special. They represented the school and Rochester very well, not just as
players but as young men. This was a year none of us will ever forget."
of state finals
The distance from Rochester to Memorial Stadium in Champaign is around 85 miles. But for the
Rochester Rockets, it really was only one yard away.
With the season and a berth in the Class 4A state championship game on the line, Coach Derek
Leonard never hesitated. After the Rockets had driven 68 yards in 15 plays to score and get within one,
41-40 with :03.8 left in the 4th quarter, Leonard opted to play for the win with a two-point conversion.
But Metamora was able to stop quarterback Sean Robinson one yard short of the goal line and as a
result, the Redbirds will advance to the 4A finals this Friday while the Rockets saw their fabulous season
come to a sudden end with a 12-1 record.
In losing for the first time, the Rockets faced adversity in several forms. Metamora (12-1) overcame an
early 13-6 deficit with three 2nd quarter scores, two coming in the final 1:14 to grab a 27-13 halftime lead.
It was the first time the Rockets had trailed since the third game of the season against Jerseyville.
But on a day when Rochester didn't get its share of the breaks, the Rockets battled back to tie the
game at 34-34 after Dylan McKinney's blocked punt was returned 19 yards for a score by Chase Tackett
and Robinson's two-point conversion. Then after the Redbirds chewed up most of the 4th quarter with an
80 yard scoring march to regain the lead with 2:47 remaining, the Rockets countered with their own
inspired drive to get within one point.
Coach Leonard said he'd made up his mind during the drive to go for the win if the Rockets scored
and didn't second guess his decision afterward. "I asked the kids what they wanted to do and I was
hoping they'd say to go for it," Leonard said. "They wanted to do it. We'd had some problems kicking extra
points, so the tie wasn't a sure thing. And we'd had trouble stopping them and I thought overtime would
favor Metamora. Ten yards and in is more their kind of game. We took a chance, putting the ball in our
best player's hands and it just didn't work out."
The game, played in very nice weather conditions, saw both teams rack up big numbers on offense.
Rochester gained 432 total yards and 29 first downs to Metamora's 423 yards and 20 first downs. The
Rockets rushed for 291 yards on 51 attempts, led by Colten Glazebrook's 151 yards on 17 carries and
109 yards on 27 tries by Robinson. Robinson, who also threw for 143 yards and two touchdowns, ran for
two more.
But the Rockets gave up some big plays on defense. The Redbirds had two touchdown plays of 50
yards or more, and set up their first touchdown with another long pass play. Metamora quarterback
Michael Fay was the main main, rushing for 113 yards and four touchdowns, while completing all seven
of his passes for 145 yards. The Redbirds also capitalized on a mixup by the RHS offense on a 4th down
play late in the first half, turning the miscue into a touchdown.
"They never really stopped us but we had trouble stopping them," Leonard said.
A turning point came early in the 2nd quarter after Rochester had scored to take a 13-6 lead. Sean Ryan,
who had made 50 of 52 of his PAT attempts with both misses being blocked, was wide right with his
extra point kick. Metamora started at its 28 and two plays later, faced 3rd-and-eight. Fay passed to Dan
Burk over the middle and though the ball appeared to hit the ground, the officials awarded the catch,
good for 22 yards that sustained the drive.
After the Redbirds picked up a first down at the R35, a pass interference penalty gave them another
first down. Fay ran for 15 yards, and two plays later, the junior quarterback scored on a one yard run. The
PAT forced a 13-13 tie with 5:26 to play in the half.
The Rockets started at their 20 and quickly threatened as Glazebrook gained nine yards on a screen
pass, and one play later, ran for 22 more to the M45. Robinson scampered for 14 yards, then ran twice
for eight yards to set up 3rd-and-two at the M23. Jake Bivens broke around the right side for an apparent
13 yard gain, but a flag was dropped on the opposite side of the field, the call a personal foul against
Rochester. Pushed back to the M29, the Rockets turned the ball over on downs, failing to get an
interference call on a 4th down pass attempt to Taylor Hill.
Facing 3rd-and-four from its 35, the Redbirds stunned the Rockets with a trick play as Fay pitched to
Burk, who then passed up the sideline to David Kuhne. Kuhne made an over-the-shoulder catch looking
into the sun and outran the secondary to complete the 65 yard scoring play with 1:14 left in the half. The
PAT was good, putting the Redbirds up 20-13.
The Rockets got a first down at the R44 on an 11 yard pass to Matt Riechers, and Robinson came
back to Riechers for six more, but the next two passes were incomplete. With a half-minute to play, the
Rockets lined up on 4th down intending to have Robinson punt after a long count, but a mixup resulted in
center David Molohon snapping the ball early. Robinson tried to scramble away but was sacked for a
nine yard loss and Metamora took over at the R41 with :17 left. Fay passed to Aaron Peters for 18 yards
on a screen pass and the Redbirds took a timeout with :09 remaining. On the next play, Fay passed into
the end zone, where Kuhne made a great catch for the touchdown with three seconds left, giving the
hosts the 27-13 halftime lead.
With the momentum against them, the Rockets had to get something going to start the 3rd quarter
and they did, putting together a clutch 11 play drive that covered 80 yards. Robinson finished it off with a
15 yard pass to Hill, who made a leaping grab in the end zone. Ryan's PAT was wide, leaving the 27-19
deficit with 8:15 to play in the 3rd. Key plays on the drive were a 30 yard pass to Kyle Brozka, who made a
diving catch over the middle, a 27 yard screen to Glazebrook, and a nine yard run by Bivens for a first
down at the M25.
Metamora countered with a score of its own after another big 3rd down conversion. After Peters
gained 12 on first down, two running plays netted only five yards and a penalty, one of only two in the
game against the hosts, brought up 3rd-and-10. But Fay connected with Burk for 13 yards to the M45 and
two plays later, Fay slanted off the right side and escaped for a 50 yard touchdown, rebuilding the
Metamora lead to 34-19 with 3:51 left in the 3rd quarter.
Back came the Rockets with a 13 play, 80 yard scoring drive. Robinson got a first down with a seven
yard run, and one play later, Bivens ran for nine. The Redbirds stacked up Bivens for no gain, but on 4th
down, Robinson picked up two yards to move the chains. Glazebrook, behind a key block by Aaron O'Dell,
sliced through the Redbirds for 22 yards, and two plays later, on 3rd down, Glazebrook came through
with a 15 yard run all the way to the Metamora one yard line. Robinson was stopped short but Bivens
dived over on the next play for the touchdown with :16 remaining in the 3rd. Ryan added the PAT to make
it 34-26.
The RHS defense then came up with a crucial stand as three straight running plays were stopped for
one yard losses by Tyler Donaldson, Adam Green and Bivens to force a punt. Beau Geier's punt was
blocked by McKinney and Tackett was there to scoop up the loose ball, stay on his feet assisted by Riley
McMinn, and race 19 yards for the touchdown. The Rockets went for the two-point conversion, and
Robinson scored standing up for the 34-34 deadlock with 10:34 to play.
Metamora started from its 20 after Ryan's kickoff resulted in a touchback, and Peters, who gained 95
yards on 24 attempts, ripped off a 21 yard run on first down. Facing 4th-and-inches, Peters picked up
seven yards to the R43, and one play later, Fay connected with Austin Ford over the middle for 12 yards.
The Redbirds converted another 4th-and-one as Fay ran for eight yards to the R14. Peters was
tackled for a yard loss by Donaldson and McMinn tackled Fay for no gain to bring up 3rd-and-10. After a
timeout, Fay's pass to Kyle Albertson was incomplete at the goal line and it appeared the Redbirds
would have to settle for a field goal try.
But a penalty flag lay at the line of scrimmage and the call was defensive holding in the line against
Rochester. After the walkoff, Fay scored on an eight yard keeper on the next play to give Metamora a
41-34 lead with 2:47 remaining.
Glazebrook's 24 yard return started the Rockets at their 32. On 3rd-and-nine, Robinson passed to
Brozka, who made a diving catch for 22 yards to the M45, and Glazebrook followed with an 18 yard run.
Three runs gained seven yards and after a timeout, Glazebrook powered ahead for three yards to convert
the 4th down to the M17.
Glazebrook carried twice for gains of two and five yards, and after a timeout, Robinson got two to bring
up 4th-and-one. This time, Bivens plowed forward for three big yards for a first down at the M5 as the
clock went under one minute. After a three yard run by Glazebrook, Robinson tried to hit Bane in the end
zone but the pass was overthrown. The Rockets came back with the same play and this time Bane
outfought two defenders for the reception and the two yard touchdown with :03.8 left.
The Rockets then played for the win on the two-point try, but Robinson was stopped short in his run
up the middle at the one yard line by Metamora's Preston Butner and Bryan Love. The Redbirds would
recover the onside kick attempt and Fay took a knee to end the Rockets' best season ever. Metamora will
play Geneseo Friday for the 4A state championship.
The Redbirds scored on the game's opening possession on Fay's six yard keeper with 7:48 left in the
first quarter. The big play was a pass to tight end Vince Fraboni, who rambled 55 yards to the R10,
setting up the touchdown two plays later. The score stayed at 6-0 as Brandon VanMieghem's extra point
was wide left.
Rochester needed less than two minutes to return the favor. Starting at the R34 after a 26 yard return
by Glazebrook, the Rockets sprung Glazebrook for 25 yards on first down and two plays later, Robinson
converted a 3rd down with a 16 yard pass to Bane to the M21. After a one yard run by Glazebrook,
Robinson raced through the Redbird defense to score from 20 yards out. Ryan converted to give RHS a
7-6 edge with 5:54 to play in the first quarter.
Metamora got one first down but had to punt three plays later as McMinn made two defensive stops.
The Redbirds nearly lost a fumble on first down, recovered by Love in the backfield. From the R47, the
Rockets took 13 plays to score the go-ahead td on Robinson's two yard run. Robinson converted three
3rd downs along the way with runs of nine, seven and six yards, the last to the M4. After Bivens gained
two, Robinson carried it over with 11:28 left in the 2nd for the 13-6 lead.
Leonard gave the Redbirds credit but added "they got every break possible, though I hate to say that.
But our kids kept fighting back."
It was an emotional huddle after the game, with the coach needing some time to collect himself
before telling the Rockets "you are the greatest team I've ever been a part of." Leonard praised his
seniors and said "you sophomores and juniors, we're going to be back and win it for them."
"It's one of the hardest things I've ever had to do," Leonard said afterward about talking to the team. "I
love them all so much and they gave me everything I could ask for. I'm so proud of my players and my
coaches, they're all very special. They represented the school and Rochester very well, not just as
players but as young men. This was a year none of us will ever forget."
Issue Date: Nov. 26, 2009