Local sports results are presented by Genesis Physical Therapy.
Rockridge (9-1) advanced to the second round of the IHSA 2A playoffs with a 37-21 first round win at Westville (8-2) Saturday afternoon.
The Rockets led 20-0 at halftime, before the Tigers cut the deficit to 20-14 at the end of the third quarter.
Rockridge answered with 17 straight points to start the fourth quarter. Austin VandeGeest nailed a 23-yard field goal to extend the lead to 23-14. Then, the Rockets scored back-to-back defensive touchdowns on a fumble return by Jude Finch and an interception return by Alex Zarlatanes. The Rockridge defense forced six turnovers in the win.
Zarlatanes rushed for 184 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries in the win. Rocket quarterback Cullen Schwigen added 69 yards and a score on the ground and was 7-16 passing for 59 yards and a touchdown.
Rockridge advances to host top-seeded Seneca (10-0) Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. Pregame coverage will begin at 1 p.m., on WRMJ.
Mercer County (6-4) saw its season end on the road in a 41-14 loss to Wilmington (9-1) Saturday in the first round of the IHSA 2A playoffs.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Wildcats outscored the Golden Eagles 21-0 in the second quarter and pushed the lead to 38-0 before Mercer County got on the board early in the fourth.
Golden Eagle quarterback Colby Cox went 11-25 for 208 yards with one touchdown and one interception. William Fredrickson caught nine passes for 177 yards and a score in the loss.
FOOTBALL – FIRST ROUND
1A
Annawan-Wethersfield 41 Deer Creek-Mackinaw 6
Morrison 34 Fulton 12
ROWVA-Williamsfield 28 Newman Central Catholic 14
Stark County 34 Princeville 20 (Friday)
2A
Rockridge 37 Westville 21
Wilmington 41 Mercer County 14
Momence 16 Knoxville 8
Farmington 28 Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin 23
Seneca 45 Dwight-Gardner-South Wilmington 0 (Friday)
3A
Princeton 44 Paxton-Buckley-Loda 7
Monmouth-Roseville 35 North Boone 14 (Friday)
4A
IC Catholic 35 Geneseo 12
Peoria Notre Dame 28 Kewanee 13 (Friday)
5A
Sterling 50 Payton 0
7A
Quincy 44 West Chicago 14
8-Man
Ridgewood 42 South Fork 30 (Friday)