* Last updated at 3:41 pm on Monday, November 24, 2025

Print this page

State Final Teams: Lombard (Montini) | Rochester

   Rochester Rockets (12-1)


School Information

Name: Rochester High School
City: Rochester
County: Sangamon
Classification Enrollment: 682
Nickname: Rockets
Colors: Navy/Orange
Conference: Central State Eight
Principal: Jeff Reed
Athletic Director: J.R. Boudouris
Head Coach: Derek Leonard
Assistant Coaches: Steve Buecker, Jon Clarke, Tyson Corley, Matt Lauber, Tyler Mazzini, Andrew McGhghy, Rich McMahan, Jordan Raps, James Rychel, Jim Smith, Brett Tackett, Eric Warren
Athletic Trainer: Jessica Nika
Captains: Tanner Beal, Brooks Gavin, Jorey Myren, Khorbin Gregory
Manager: Austin Leonard
Last Year's Advancement: Lost First Round vs. Peoria (Notre Dame), 59-58

Team Photo


Roster
No. Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr.
0 David Kates RB-LB 5-10 165 Sr.
1 Brooks Gavin WR-DB 6-3 190 Sr.
2 Grady Gavin WR-DB 5-6 115 Fr.
2 Tristan Stanton WR-DB 6-2 170 Sr.
3 JP Leonard QB 6-0 180 Jr.
4 Zane Zulauf WR-DB 6-0 140 Jr.
5 Reece Gade WR-DB 6-2 185 So.
5 Coy Young WR-DB 5-1 130 Fr.
6 Eli Cox WR-DB 6-4 210 Jr.
6 Brenton Slusser WR-DB 6-2 160 Fr.
7 Ahmad Hussein K 5-11 160 Jr.
8 Xander Bridge TE-DL 6-3 215 Sr.
8 Clayton Shelton WR-DB 6-0 155 Fr.
9 Tanner Beal QB-DB 6-6 205 Sr.
9 Blake Leonard QB 5-10 185 Fr.
10 Khordell Gregory WR-DB 5-10 150 So.
11 Cody Foster WR-DB 6-2 165 Sr.
12 Nate Swaney WR-DB 6-0 165 Jr.
13 Eli Beal WR-DB 6-0 145 Fr.
14 Frank Stefano WR-DB 6-0 180 Jr.
15 Nick Febus WR-LB 5-9 145 So.
16 Logan Carmody WR-DB 5-9 145 Jr.
17 Rhett Patterson WR-DB 5-9 135 So.
18 Carson Berberet K 5-11 160 Sr.
19 Alyssa Day K 5-5 180 Sr.
20 Jack Stanton WR-DB 6-0 160 Sr.
21 Archie Parker WR-DB 6-0 160 Jr.
22 Khorbin Gregory RB-DB 5-8 145 Sr.
23 Will Ethell WR-DB 5-11 160 So.
24 Khornell Gregory WR-DB 5-8 120 So.
25 Kaiden Stout RB-DB 6-3 185 Sr.
27 Jordan Mitts RB-DB 5-8 145 Fr.
27 Grayson Whaley RB-DB 5-9 140 Jr.
28 Isaac Hardas RB-DB 5-8 185 Jr.
29 Finn Bruce WR-DB 6-1 170 So.
30 Cash Peters RB-LB 5-8 170 Jr.
31 Gavin Laurent RB-LB 5-8 155 Fr.
32 Jorey Myren FB-LB 6-0 225 Sr.
34 Macklin Nelson FB-LB 6-0 200 So.
35 Kendrick Weber FB-LB 5-10 180 Jr.
38 Nicholas Mrozowski WR-DB 6-2 160 Jr.
40 Evrim Tabag RB-LB 5-9 195 So.
41 Parker Seifert FB-LB 6-0 185 Jr.
43 Zander Langan WR-LB 5-11 175 So.
44 Colton Maltby TE-DL 6-0 260 Jr.
45 Jake Miller TE-DL 6-2 175 So.
48 Kaden Kavanagh RB-LB 5-9 145 So.
50 Dylan Durocher OL-DL 6-1 240 Jr.
51 Joey Durham OL-DL 5-10 215 Sr.
52 Clay Matthews OL-DL 6-0 215 Jr.
53 Cade Jones OL-DL 6-1 230 Sr.
54 Matthew Ryan OL-DL 5-10 170 Jr.
56 Gavin Marbold OL-DL 5-11 180 So.
57 Kal Reiss OL-DL 6-0 210 So.
59 Peyton Phillips OL-DL 5-11 240 So.
60 Wesley Sheraden OL-DL 6-0 260 Sr.
62 Tre Miller OL-DL 5-11 210 So.
63 Vincent Laurent OL-DL 6-1 240 Sr.
63 Max Parker OL-DL 5-8 150 Fr.
64 Ben Turner OL-DL 5-9 190 So.
65 Luke Lyons OL-DL 6-0 255 So.
65 Ryker Tweryon OL-DL 5-8 160 Fr.
66 Owen Sheraden OL-DL 5-10 230 So.
67 Brock Day OL-DL 5-3 185 So.
71 Jonathan Hagaman OL-DL 6-3 240 Jr.
72 Charles Wetherell OL-DL 6-2 225 So.
73 Nolan Cordes OL-DL 5-11 280 Jr.
74 Jude Sheehan OL-DL 6-0 250 So.
76 Joe Chapman OL-DL 6-3 280 Jr.
76 Jaedan Miller OL-DL 6-2 290 Fr.
77 Jake Febus OL-DL 6-0 245 Jr.
78 Daniel Showalter OL-DL 5-10 210 Sr.
79 Peyton Rice OL-DL 5-9 220 Jr.
80 Nathan Houmes WR-DB 5-7 130 Fr.
80 Easton Peters WR-DB 5-10 130 So.
81 Cody Strawn K 5-10 150 So.
83 Joshayah Ayala FB-LB 5-7 180 Fr.
83 Hugo Hunter WR-DB 5-10 140 So.
84 Ethan Anderson TE-DL 6-2 160 Fr.
84 Victor Laurent WR-DB 5-9 135 So.
85 AJ Sladek WR-DB 6-0 145 Sr.
86 Brandon Slager WR-DB 5-11 155 So.
88 Connor Broughton TE-DL 6-3 230 Sr.
95 Luke Hall WR-DB 6-0 175 Jr.

Specialists

Kickoff Specialist: Cody Strawn
Kickoff Returners: Khorbin Gregory, Khornell Gregory
Punter: JP Leonard
Punt Returners: Khorbin Gregory, Nate Swaney
Placekicker: Carson Berberet
Placekick Holder: JP Leonard

Starters

Offense
No. Position Name Height Weight Year
50 OL Dylan Durocher 6-1 240 Jr.
60 OL Wesley Sheraden 6-0 260 Sr.
63 OL Vincent Laurent 6-1 240 Sr.
65 OL Luke Lyons 6-0 255 So.
77 OL Jake Febus 6-0 245 Jr.
3 QB JP Leonard 6-0 180 Jr.
25 RB Kaiden Stout 6-3 185 Sr.
2 WR Tristan Stanton 6-2 170 Sr.
6 WR Eli Cox 6-4 210 Jr.
10 WR Khordell Gregory 5-10 150 So.
12 WR Nate Swaney 6-0 165 Jr.
Offense Averages
Defense
No. Position Name Height Weight Year
22 CB Khorbin Gregory 5-8 145 Sr.
24 CB Khornell Gregory 5-8 120 So.
50 DE Dylan Durocher 6-1 240 Jr.
88 DE Connor Broughton 6-3 230 Sr.
28 LB Isaac Hardas 5-8 185 Jr.
34 LB Macklin Nelson 6-0 200 So.
41 LB Parker Seifert 6-0 185 Jr.
44 NT Colton Maltby 6-0 260 Jr.
6 S Eli Cox 6-4 210 Jr.
9 S Tanner Beal 6-6 205 Sr.
12 S Nate Swaney 6-0 165 Jr.
Defense Averages

Statistics

Scores
Date Opponent W/L Own Opp
8/30 Fort Branch (Gibson Southern), IN W 42 21
9/5 Mt. Zion W 28 24
9/12 Lincoln W 56 0
9/19 Chatham (Glenwood) L 42 43
9/26 Normal (University) W 56 7
10/3 Decatur (Eisenhower) W 63 24
10/10 Decatur (MacArthur) W 51 14
10/17 Springfield (H.S.) W 55 10
10/24 Springfield (Sacred Heart-Griffin) W 31 28
10/31 Taylorville W 56 7
IHSA Playoffs
11/7 Waterloo (H.S.) W 55 21
11/15 Springfield (Sacred Heart-Griffin) W 41 35
11/22 Breese (Central) W 43 42
11/28 Lombard (Montini)      

Head Coach Derek Leonard
Year W-L
Rochester
2005 3-6
2006 5-5
2007 5-5
2008 7-3
2009 12-1
2010 14-0 (1st)
2011 12-2 (1st)
2012 13-1 (1st)
2013 13-1 (1st)
2014 12-2 (1st)
2015 10-2
2016 13-1 (1st)
2017 14-0 (1st)
2018 11-2
2019 13-1 (1st)
2020 5-1
2021 11-1
2022 11-2
2023 14-0 (1st)
2024 7-3
2025 12-1
21 yrs. 217-40

Tournament History 

2000-3A     8   33  0-1 (6-4)      DNP  Dave Jacobs
       L    8   33  Wheaton (St. Francis)
2001-4A    17   20  1-1 (9-2)      DNP  Dave Jacobs
       W   13    6  Quincy (Notre Dame)
       L   17   20  Macomb (OT)
2002-4A    21   48  2-1 (9-3)      DNP  Dave Jacobs
       W   36   25  Sandwich
       W   14   13  Peotone
       L   21   48  Princeton
2003-4A     6   41  1-1 (6-5)      DNP  Dave Jacobs
       W   34   19  Macomb
       L    6   41  Hillsboro
2004-4A     0   47  1-1 (6-5)      DNP  Dave Jacobs
       W   28   20  Hamilton
       L    0   47  Quincy (Notre Dame)
2006-4A    14   39  0-1 (5-5)      DNP  Derek Leonard
       L   14   39  Newton
2007-4A    14   49  0-1 (5-5)      DNP  Derek Leonard
       L   14   49  Anna (A.-Jonesboro)
2008-4A    33   41  0-1 (7-3)      DNP  Derek Leonard
       L   33   41  Mt. Zion
2009-4A    40   41  3-1 (12-1)     DNP  Derek Leonard
       W   57   32  Mascoutah
       W   42   14  Mt. Carmel
       W   45   26  Quincy (Notre Dame)
       L   40   41  Metamora
2010-4A    24    7  5-0 (14-0)     1st  Derek Leonard
       W   49    7  Freeburg
       W   53    2  Effingham (H.S.)
       W   23   21  Quincy (Notre Dame)
       W   50   17  Metamora
       W   24    7  Rock Island (Alleman)
2011-4A    42   39  5-0 (12-2)     1st  Derek Leonard
       W   56   35  Quincy (Notre Dame)
       W   42   28  Manteno
       W   55   21  Kankakee (McNamara)
       W   41   13  Charleston
       W   42   39  Richmond (R.-Burton)
2012-4A    43   18  5-0 (13-1)     1st  Derek Leonard
       W   43    0  Mahomet (M.-Seymour)
       W   42   14  Charleston
       W   46   21  Peoria (Notre Dame)
       W   49   22  Harrisburg
       W   43   18  Rock Island (Alleman)
2013-4A    16    8  5-0 (13-1)     1st  Derek Leonard
       W   42    7  Taylorville
       W   56   28  Breese (Mater Dei)
       W   50   21  Belleville (Althoff Catholic)
       W   46   21  Rock Island (Alleman)
       W   16    8  Geneseo
2014-4A    49   28  5-0 (12-2)     1st  Derek Leonard
       W   65   35  Mt. Zion
       W   35   14  Quincy (Notre Dame)
       W   56   21  Bloomington (Central Catholic)
       W   28    9  Herrin (H.S.)
       W   49   28  Chicago (Phillips)
2015-4A    42   46  2-1 (10-2)     DNP  Derek Leonard
       W   52    7  Alton (Marquette)
       W   47   20  Murphysboro
       L   42   46  Belleville (Althoff Catholic)
2016-4A    38   14  5-0 (13-1)     1st  Derek Leonard
       W   52    7  Bethalto (Civic Memorial)
       W   63   21  Mt. Zion
       W   48   47  Belleville (Althoff Catholic)
       W   49   21  Canton
       W   38   14  Johnsburg
2017-4A    24   21  5-0 (14-0)     1st  Derek Leonard
       W   42    6  Fairbury (Prairie Central)
       W   41   23  Belleville (Althoff Catholic)
       W   56   14  Herrin (H.S.)
       W   31   14  Highland
       W   24   21  Morris
2018-4A    42   52  3-1 (11-2)     DNP  Derek Leonard
       W   53   27  Breese (Central)
       W   47   28  Pontiac
       W   64   26  Taylorville
       L   42   52  Kankakee (McNamara)
2019-5A    42   28  5-0 (13-1)     1st  Derek Leonard
       W   68   26  LaSalle (L.-Peru)
       W   42    7  Highland
       W   49   35  Springfield (Sacred Heart-Griffin)
       W   56   34  Mascoutah
       W   42   28  Chicago (St. Rita)
2021-4A    42   49  3-1 (11-1)     DNP  Derek Leonard
       W   48    0  Cahokia (H.S.)
       W   55   20  Paris
       W   57   28  Freeburg
       L   42   49  Springfield (Sacred Heart-Griffin)
2022-4A    42   56  3-1 (11-2)     DNP  Derek Leonard
       W   45   14  Effingham (H.S.)
       W   42    0  Breese (Central)
       W   41   28  Carterville
       L   42   56  Springfield (Sacred Heart-Griffin)
2023-4A    59   38  5-0 (14-0)     1st  Derek Leonard
       W   59   14  Lincoln
       W   45    3  Coal City
       W   49   13  Breese (Central)
       W   42   14  Murphysboro
       W   59   38  Burbank (St. Laurence)
2024-4A    58   59  0-1 (7-3)      DNP  Derek Leonard
       L   58   59  Peoria (Notre Dame)