Rochester vs. St. Laurence: How to watch Illinois 4A football state championship game
The Rochester Rockets and St. Laurence Vikings will face off at 7 p.m. CT on Friday in the Illinois Class 4A championship game at Hancock Stadium in Normal.
>> Follow live updates from Rochester vs. St. Laurence here <<
Rochester is seeking its nine state championship in 14 seasons under head coach Derek Leonard but first since 2019. The Rockets are 35-3 since the start of the 2021 season but were knocked out of the playoffs by Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin the past two years, including in last year's semifinals.
St. Laurence is attempting to win its first state title since 1976 in its first championship game appearance since losing to East St. Louis in 1979. The Vikings have bounced back from three straight losing seasons, and a combined 11-17 record, to advance to the title game for the third time in school history.
You can watch Rochester vs. St. Laurence live on the NFHS Network.
What: Illinois Class 4A football championship game
When: 7:00 p.m. Central Time on Friday, November 24
Where: Hancock Stadium | Normal, Illinois
How to watch the live stream online: You can watch this game live on the NFHS Network
Live score updates: Follow the game on SBLive Sports for live score updates
More coverage: SBLive Sports features coverage of Illinois high school football including previews, team rankings, top player lists and much more. Follow your favorite teams on SBLive's live high school football scoreboard and download the SBLive Sports App.
Rochester (13-0)
The Rockets have been dominant in the playoffs, scoring at least 42 points in every game and outscoring their four opponents 195-44. They are averaging 51.5 points per game this season while allowing 9.8 per contest.
Rochester's balanced offensive attack averages 419.5 yards per game – 221.5 rushing and 198 passing.
Junior quarterback Bryan Zulauf has passed for 2,234 yards and 29 touchdowns (with five interceptions) and run for 289 yards and five TDs. Senior running back Nolan Mrozowski has rushed for 1,141 yards and scored 24 total touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Henry Buecker has 57 receptions for 1,030 yards and 17 total TDs.
Senior linebacker Parker Lyons (69 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, three interceptions, 2.5 sacks) and senior defensive end Lance Ingold (46 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks) lead the defense.
St. Laurence (10-3)
The Vikings pulled out a 24-20 win over IC Catholic in the quarterfinals and then defeated Wheaton Academy 31-30 in the semifinals to advance.
Coach Adam Nissen's squad is averaging 32.5 points per game – the Vikings are allowing 15.5 per contest – with a run-heavy offense that averages 306.8 yards per game. The St. Laurence offensive line averages 236 pounds and features four seniors and one junior.
Running back Aaron Ball, a 6-foot, 205-pound senior, has run for 1,484 yards and scored 21 total touchdowns. Senior quarterback Evan Les has thrown for 1,037 yards, with nine touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Senior linebacker Connor Cleary leads the defense with 88 tackles (11 tackles for loss) and nine sacks. Junior linebacker Jacob Bylina (76 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks) and junior defensive end Jace Chamberlain (71 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks) are also impact players on the defense.
ILLINOIS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEWS
Players to watch at the Illinois football state championships
Illinois 1A title game preview: Lena-Winslow vs. Camp Point Central
Illinois 2A title game preview: Athens vs. Wilmington
Illinois 3A title game preview: Byron vs. Mt. Carmel
More coverage: Get live Illinois high school football scores on SBLive Sports. To follow your favorite teams check out the SBLive live high school football scoreboard and download the SBLive Sports App.
- Nate Latsch | latsch@scorebooklive.com | @SBLiveIL
