CS8 Week 13

rocketnation

All-Conference
Aug 12, 2017
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Weather forecast not quite as good as last week but a projected high of 58 on Saturday is still fine for this time of year.

The victor will face the winner of Montini vs Morris, which is a 2 PM Saturday matchup, next Friday night.

#4 Breese Central (11-1) at #3 Rochester (11-1) 4 PM Saturday
This will be the 3rd time these teams have met in the playoffs in the last four years. Rochester won in the 2nd round in 2022 42-0 and in the 2023 Quarterfinals 49-13. Both previous matchups were at Rochester. Breese Central won on the road at Cahokia last week, trailing 6-0 until late in the first half when they broke through and took a 7-6 lead. The Cougars then pulled away in the 2nd half and won comfortably 36-12. Rochester never trailed against SHG but also never led by more than one score in what became a back-and-forth contest that went to OT before the Rockets finally prevailed 41-35.

There is a common opponent as both teams faced Mt Zion, though early enough in the season to not necessarily draw significant conclusions from the results. Both games were at Mt Zion. Rochester trailed much of the game in Week 2 before scoring the final 15 points and winning 28-24. The Rockets point total was their lowest of the season. Breese Central played the next week and lost to the Braves 38-28 after trailing 24-6 at half. Mt Zion also defeated Breese Central in the 2024 Quarterfinals 17-3. Other than the Mt Zion game, Breese Central's defense has not allowed more than 21 points in any game.

Breese Central has a balanced offense led by Sophomore QB Owen Kehrer who has passed for over 1,800 yards and rushed for 500 more, RB Cole Davis who is closing in on 1,200 yards rushing and has 24 total TDs, and WR Conlan Harr who has over 500 yards receiving and 7 TDs. Rochester has rotated QBs Tanner Beal and JP Leonard almost equally all season, with Beal having attempted a total of 118 passes and Leonard 116. They have combined for over 2,600 yards passing and 25 TDs. RB Kaiden Stout went over 1,000 yards rushing in Week 12 and has a total of 13 TDs, while Tristan Stanton leads the WR's with almost 800 yards and 8 TDs.

Rochester would love a fast start to achieve some early separation. The longer Breese can stay close the more likely they are to play with increased confidence. After last year's disappointing 1st round loss to Peoria Notre Dame, the Rockets have so far played with much more urgency and purpose. Should be another big crowd and getting to play a final home game is a boost for the Rockets. Rochester 41 Breese Central 20.
Massey: Rochester 45-21.
 

cigaros

Senior
Nov 14, 2018
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I watched the Cahokia game and if this is as fast as Breese goes, this game might be determined by halftime.

Breese has played three 3A schools. And the largest school theyve played all year was Cahokia.
Rochester plays up most of the season. And the smallest school theyve played was Taylorville, 50 students larger than Rochester.

Breese has played no team with a double digit ranking.
Rochester soundly beat a larger school from Indiana which is in its own semifinal game on Saturday.
Breese has played an SOS approximately 25% easier than Rochester.
Rochester has outgained Breese by over 1,000 yards on the season as well..... against bigger and tougher competition.... and theyve beaten a formidable private school this season....twice.
 
Aug 7, 2024
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Interesting, you don’t come across as a Renaissance Festival type of guy. Good luck.
Being retired I have to give time to the local VFW, Masonic lodge, militia group, John Birch Society, gun club and workout and the wife... What would you think I would do in life???
 

618account

Redshirt
Aug 17, 2025
5
12
3
Weather forecast not quite as good as last week but a projected high of 58 on Saturday is still fine for this time of year.

The victor will face the winner of Montini vs Morris, which is a 2 PM Saturday matchup, next Friday night.

#4 Breese Central (11-1) at #3 Rochester (11-1) 4 PM Saturday
This will be the 3rd time these teams have met in the playoffs in the last four years. Rochester won in the 2nd round in 2022 42-0 and in the 2023 Quarterfinals 49-13. Both previous matchups were at Rochester. Breese Central won on the road at Cahokia last week, trailing 6-0 until late in the first half when they broke through and took a 7-6 lead. The Cougars then pulled away in the 2nd half and won comfortably 36-12. Rochester never trailed against SHG but also never led by more than one score in what became a back-and-forth contest that went to OT before the Rockets finally prevailed 41-35.

There is a common opponent as both teams faced Mt Zion, though early enough in the season to not necessarily draw significant conclusions from the results. Both games were at Mt Zion. Rochester trailed much of the game in Week 2 before scoring the final 15 points and winning 28-24. The Rockets point total was their lowest of the season. Breese Central played the next week and lost to the Braves 38-28 after trailing 24-6 at half. Mt Zion also defeated Breese Central in the 2024 Quarterfinals 17-3. Other than the Mt Zion game, Breese Central's defense has not allowed more than 21 points in any game.

Breese Central has a balanced offense led by Sophomore QB Owen Kehrer who has passed for over 1,800 yards and rushed for 500 more, RB Cole Davis who is closing in on 1,200 yards rushing and has 24 total TDs, and WR Conlan Harr who has over 500 yards receiving and 7 TDs. Rochester has rotated QBs Tanner Beal and JP Leonard almost equally all season, with Beal having attempted a total of 118 passes and Leonard 116. They have combined for over 2,600 yards passing and 25 TDs. RB Kaiden Stout went over 1,000 yards rushing in Week 12 and has a total of 13 TDs, while Tristan Stanton leads the WR's with almost 800 yards and 8 TDs.

Rochester would love a fast start to achieve some early separation. The longer Breese can stay close the more likely they are to play with increased confidence. After last year's disappointing 1st round loss to Peoria Notre Dame, the Rockets have so far played with much more urgency and purpose. Should be another big crowd and getting to play a final home game is a boost for the Rockets. Rochester 41 Breese Central 20.
Massey: Rochester 45-21.
Unfortunately, Central for the most part is a fairly slow starting team. Rochester is just a really bad matchup for our guys(as well as for most teams). Definitely hoped for ****** weather this weekend. If we had last years secondary, I think this would be a much more competitive game than most would imagine. Our secondary this year just isn't very fast and just don't seem to read plays all that well, especially slants. I expect Rochester to shred our secondary. Our front-7 is really good though and has hid a lot of the secondaries struggles. Not the biggest, but quick, athletic, physical and strong.

Offensively, can be hit or miss. Against the better teams, have tended to struggle in the 1st half and then explode in the 3rd quarter. Won't be good enough to beat/hang with Rochester. Much better offensively when Davis is on the field. They usually try to rotate series between him and Biggs, because he has to play both ways, but he's been getting a lot more carries during the postseason, specifically the Cahokia game. Kid is 200lbs of pure muscle, shifty and above average(4.6) speed. Columbia announcers referred to him as baby Skattebo. If he gets some holes to work with, he'll be a pretty fun player to watch.

Kehrer(pronounced care) has continued to improve as the year has gone on. Strong kid that has the arm to make any throw and is surprisingly shifty when he decides to run(usually designed). In junior high, was hitting mid-80's on his fastball, but quit baseball to do track. Not much speed at WR, so he generally has to make a lot of tight window throws. I expect Rochester to stack the line and go man in the secondary and we'll struggle to move the ball, unless the o-line/Davis/Kehrer can make things happen.

All-in-all, I'll take Rochester 49-14. Regardless, the progression that Coach Short and staff have made these past 5 years has been awesome to see. 3 QF's and the schools first SF appearance. We aren't Rochester or SHG, not many schools are, but they've turned us into a damn fine, respectable football program. Just hope both teams escape injury-free as likely 4, potentially 5, of our basketball starters and several bench guys will be playing and the way Nesto puts it, Rochester has a chance to make some postseason noise this year too with a lot of football/basketball kids.
 
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rocketnation

All-Conference
Aug 12, 2017
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Unfortunately, Central for the most part is a fairly slow starting team. Rochester is just a really bad matchup for our guys(as well as for most teams). Definitely hoped for ****** weather this weekend. If we had last years secondary, I think this would be a much more competitive game than most would imagine. Our secondary this year just isn't very fast and just don't seem to read plays all that well, especially slants. I expect Rochester to shred our secondary. Our front-7 is really good though and has hid a lot of the secondaries struggles. Not the biggest, but quick, athletic, physical and strong.

Offensively, can be hit or miss. Against the better teams, have tended to struggle in the 1st half and then explode in the 3rd quarter. Won't be good enough to beat/hang with Rochester. Much better offensively when Davis is on the field. They usually try to rotate series between him and Biggs, because he has to play both ways, but he's been getting a lot more carries during the postseason, specifically the Cahokia game. Kid is 200lbs of pure muscle, shifty and above average(4.6) speed. Columbia announcers referred to him as baby Skattebo. If he gets some holes to work with, he'll be a pretty fun player to watch.

Kehrer(pronounced care) has continued to improve as the year has gone on. Strong kid that has the arm to make any throw and is surprisingly shifty when he decides to run(usually designed). In junior high, was hitting mid-80's on his fastball, but quit baseball to do track. Not much speed at WR, so he generally has to make a lot of tight window throws. I expect Rochester to stack the line and go man in the secondary and we'll struggle to move the ball, unless the o-line/Davis/Kehrer can make things happen.

All-in-all, I'll take Rochester 49-14. Regardless, the progression that Coach Short and staff have made these past 5 years has been awesome to see. 3 QF's and the schools first SF appearance. We aren't Rochester or SHG, not many schools are, but they've turned us into a damn fine, respectable football program. Just hope both teams escape injury-free as likely 4, potentially 5, of our basketball starters and several bench guys will be playing and the way Nesto puts it, Rochester has a chance to make some postseason noise this year too with a lot of football/basketball kids.
Thanks for the analysis. Getting Kehrer back for two more seasons will be a tremendous benefit for the program.

There were 2 3-year starting QBs in the CS8 this year (Chatham's Colten Knoedler and Springfield's Brody Scheffler) and they both made major strides from Year 1 to Year 3.

And SHG's Cam Brinkman will be back next year for his Senior season. His growth from Year 1 to Year 2 was spectacular.
 
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rocketnation

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Aug 12, 2017
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Congratulations to the Cougars on an outstanding effort tonight. Their Sophomore QB was very impressive, and Breese kept the Rockets defense off balance much of the 2nd half. Several big pass plays where players were wide open were converted into scores. The Rockets are extremely fortunate to be playing next week.

After stopping Breese on a fake punt late in the 2nd Quarter, it looked like Rochester would score to go up 21-7 at half. The Rockets had a 1st and goal inside the 10-yard line, that turned into a 4th and goal around the 1 or 2. The Cougars held on the 4th down run play with the runner being stopped near the goal line. That swung the momentum to Breese, and they ran with it in the 3rd Quarter scoring 3 straight TDs and eventually led 35-21 in the 4th Quarter. Rochester tied it at 35-35 but was unable to go ahead in the final minute of regulation after a Cougar turnover.

In OT, Breese scored on 4th down to regain the lead 42-35. Rochester scored on the 1st play and, after discussion, went for 2 and were able to convert and win 43-42.

Rochester's third OT game of the year and second in a row. After tonight's too close call, Rochester should be seen as a clear underdog next week against Montini.
 
Feb 11, 2020
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Waiting for my apology, but guessing your lack of integrity will prevent that.
Started a new thread for your feelings FB1976.

Out of respect for potentially the only sane Rochester fan known to exist, rocket nation. Sorry again, rocket, didn't think it was even worthy of a response from the fans ofnthe 9 time 4A Champs this time. Like a worm on a hook, its just my go to when I need a fish...
 
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Egleone6

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Oct 3, 2025
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Started a new thread for your feelings FB1976.

Out of respect for potentially the only sane Rochester fan known to exist, rocket nation. Sorry again, rocket, didn't think it was even worthy of a response from the fans ofnthe 9 time 4A Champs this time. Like a worm on a hook, its just my go to when I need a fish...
Only 8x 4A champ
 
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618account

Redshirt
Aug 17, 2025
5
12
3
Wow man, so many mixed emotions. David stunned Goliath, but the rock just wasn't big enough to finish the job. Couldn't be more proud of the players and coaches. Proved a lot of people wrong, including myself partially(the reverse jinx almost worked haha).

Some really big stops and some aggressive calls instead of going conservative and playing not to lose. Loved it. The fake punt wasn't ideal, especially after the timeout. Think everyone knew that was coming and Rochester didnt even send back a returner after. Huge stop to end the half though.

Don't know what it was about the 3rd quarters this year, but man they came out swinging once again. 35-21 early in the 4th, but you knew Rochester was going to make a run and Central was going to have to answer, but unfortunately, Central flinched. Right after a 1st down and on about a 5 yard carry, a kid that I don't think has fumbled in his varsity career, puts one on the turf and next possession, a long pass to about the Rochester 45, hits a receiver's hands and Rochester makes a diving interception. Defense was able to make a huge stand to force OT.

Felt like whoever won the toss was going to win the game and sure enough Rochester got the job done. Didn't have a doubt that whichever team went 2nd was going for 2. Hurt that Central had to use their TO on the 4th down play. Just think all the body blows and the tempo finally wore out the Central defense. Rochester just flat out has some dudes. 3 or 4 different rb's that could be rotated and all of them were tanks.

Central secondary shocked me. Probably the best game they played all year. Thought I heard at one point late in the 2nd half that Rochester had less than 100yds passing. Great scouting, game planning, and execution by our guys.

Hate to bring this back to basketball, but we've had our woes in sectional finals the last 4 years. Leads in the 4th quarter of all 4 and just can't quite make the big play. After watching Rochester the last 2 weeks, they remind me of the Nashville team from 4 years ago that beat Depaul in championship. Kids just step up in crazy amounts of adversity and somehow find a way. Hopefully you guys can do the same and find a way to bring it home against Montini.
 
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FB1976

Junior
Aug 26, 2023
263
374
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Wow man, so many mixed emotions. David stunned Goliath, but the rock just wasn't big enough to finish the job. Couldn't be more proud of the players and coaches. Proved a lot of people wrong, including myself partially(the reverse jinx almost worked haha).

Some really big stops and some aggressive calls instead of going conservative and playing not to lose. Loved it. The fake punt wasn't ideal, especially after the timeout. Think everyone knew that was coming and Rochester didnt even send back a returner after. Huge stop to end the half though.

Don't know what it was about the 3rd quarters this year, but man they came out swinging once again. 35-21 early in the 4th, but you knew Rochester was going to make a run and Central was going to have to answer, but unfortunately, Central flinched. Right after a 1st down and on about a 5 yard carry, a kid that I don't think has fumbled in his varsity career, puts one on the turf and next possession, a long pass to about the Rochester 45, hits a receiver's hands and Rochester makes a diving interception. Defense was able to make a huge stand to force OT.

Felt like whoever won the toss was going to win the game and sure enough Rochester got the job done. Didn't have a doubt that whichever team went 2nd was going for 2. Hurt that Central has to use their TO on the 4th down play. Just think all the body blows and the tempo finally wore out the Central defense. Rochester just flat out has some dudes. 3 or 4 different rb's that could be rotated and all of them were tanks.

Central secondary shocked me. Probably the best game they played all year. Thought I heard at one point late in the 2nd half that Rochester had less than 100yds passing. Great scouting, game planning, and execution by our guys.

Hate to bring this back to basketball, but we've had our woes in sectional finals the last 4 years. Leads in the 4th quarter of all 4 and just can't quite make the big play. After watching Rochester the last 2 weeks, they remind me of the Nashville team from 4 years ago that beat Depaul in championship. Kids just step up in crazy amounts of adversity and somehow find a way. Hopefully you guys can do the same and find a way to bring it home against Montini.
I just have to say...your team and fans are the epitome of "Class Act". What Coach Short has done with your program is phenomenal and the final from last night shows that....the Rockets played a great game and it could have gone either way.

Congratulations to your seniors and the rest of the team on their great season. I'm sure we'll meet again!
 

cigaros

Senior
Nov 14, 2018
792
654
93
Wow man, so many mixed emotions. David stunned Goliath, but the rock just wasn't big enough to finish the job. Couldn't be more proud of the players and coaches. Proved a lot of people wrong, including myself partially(the reverse jinx almost worked haha).

Some really big stops and some aggressive calls instead of going conservative and playing not to lose. Loved it. The fake punt wasn't ideal, especially after the timeout. Think everyone knew that was coming and Rochester didnt even send back a returner after. Huge stop to end the half though.

Don't know what it was about the 3rd quarters this year, but man they came out swinging once again. 35-21 early in the 4th, but you knew Rochester was going to make a run and Central was going to have to answer, but unfortunately, Central flinched. Right after a 1st down and on about a 5 yard carry, a kid that I don't think has fumbled in his varsity career, puts one on the turf and next possession, a long pass to about the Rochester 45, hits a receiver's hands and Rochester makes a diving interception. Defense was able to make a huge stand to force OT.

Felt like whoever won the toss was going to win the game and sure enough Rochester got the job done. Didn't have a doubt that whichever team went 2nd was going for 2. Hurt that Central had to use their TO on the 4th down play. Just think all the body blows and the tempo finally wore out the Central defense. Rochester just flat out has some dudes. 3 or 4 different rb's that could be rotated and all of them were tanks.

Central secondary shocked me. Probably the best game they played all year. Thought I heard at one point late in the 2nd half that Rochester had less than 100yds passing. Great scouting, game planning, and execution by our guys.

Hate to bring this back to basketball, but we've had our woes in sectional finals the last 4 years. Leads in the 4th quarter of all 4 and just can't quite make the big play. After watching Rochester the last 2 weeks, they remind me of the Nashville team from 4 years ago that beat Depaul in championship. Kids just step up in crazy amounts of adversity and somehow find a way. Hopefully you guys can do the same and find a way to bring it home against Montini.
Those of us on the other side of the field were immensely surprised and impressed with how well the Cougars executed their offense and how sticky the DBs were.
 

rocketnation

All-Conference
Aug 12, 2017
1,461
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i sure the heck didn't know what i was talking about!
Yes, the consensus of all of us who predicted seemed to range from Rochester by 21 to Rochester by running clock.

Having reached in the last 3 years the Quarterfinals twice and now the Semifinals this year, Breese's program certainly is trending in a positive direction.