5-0 Rochester looking to build on strong start, set to visit Glenwood

ROCHESTER, Ill. (WCIA) -- A 5-0 start to the season and wins over a pair of 7A schools Moline and Rochester has helped Rochester rise to the top of the Class 4A media poll.

"We beat two great teams, a good MacArthur team, so that gives us a lot of confidence, but we've got to keep going," senior wide receiver and safety Nate Swaney said.

And yet, there's still room for improvement.

"We got to be a little bit more consistent," head coach Derek Leonard said. "Every game has had its ups and downs, even the Batavia game, we were probably much better in the first half." "To be state champs and be the best team you can be, you gotta play the whole game."

Senior quarterback JP Leonard's been at the forefront of the strong start, taking over as full-time QB 1 after sharing first-team reps last season.

He's thrown for 13 touchdowns and just one interception.

"He's just a good kid… does things the right way, and it really couldn't have been a better person," Derek Leonard said. "He's worked so hard, and he's nice to everybody… no drama." "He's the perfect quarterback off the field… just leadership and everything." "On the field, this year he's taken a step up like most of our kids do from junior to senior year."

JP credits his supporting cast for his progression.

Five Rockets have at least 100 all-purpose yards over four games played.

"You can't ask for better people on our team," JP Leonard said. "They're super unselfish... they just want to win, and that's all that matters." "They could have ten catches one game, they could have one catch another game, and they're going to be humble." "They're just going to want what's best for their team, so that makes my job a lot easier that they're not coming up to me asking for the ball."

Rochester hopes to keep it's high-powered offense that's scoring over 42 points per game humming in our Friday Football Fever Spotlight Game of the Week at Glenwood.

These teams played an instant classic that Rochester won 43-42 in overtime in 2025 on the way to a 10-1 record and a second-place finish at state.