ROCHESTER — Evrim Tabag gives the Rochester football team that bruising edge.
The sophomore running back supplied the game-winning 2-point conversion in a mirror image of his preceding touchdown run in a 43-42 overtime victory over Breese Central in the Class 4A semifinal at Rocket Booster Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 22.
The No. 3-seeded Rockets (12-1) next meet No. 1 Lombard Montini (13-0) at Hanock Stadium in Normal where they will vie for their 10th state title since 2010 on Friday, Nov. 28 at 7 p.m.
“I was so nervous, but I had to overcome it because this was for my seniors,” Tabag said. “This wasn’t for me, this was for my senior teammates.”
Rochester bristles with a stable of running backs that includes all-state senior Kaiden Stout.
Tabag increasingly shows he fits right in as a battering ram.
“It’s definitely confusing for the opponent, but I think he’s such a big help,” Stout said. “On those third- and fourth-and-shorts, it’s a great way to just pound them up the middle and get the first down. He’s very physical.”
Tabag had his most productive game yet. He finished with 14 carries for 94 yards and two touchdowns. His first TD ended with a jarring thud at the goal line.
“I worked well at practice and helped my teammates out,” Tabag said. “They helped me. That’s the reason I’m here right now.
“I had no clue what this season was going to be like, but I’m glad I could be part of it.”
Tabag punched in two TDs in the second round against Waterloo and has dished up six of his seven TDs this season in the playoffs.
“He runs hard and he runs with a purpose, but we’ve got a lot (of depth),” head coach Derek Leonard said. “We feel strong about the five running backs that we can put in the game and I think that’s why we’ve won some in the end because we outlasted some people.”
Leonard ultimately called up the same number — and same play, no less — with the season on the line. Tabag and the offensive line were perfectly built for the moment so close to the goal line.
“We thought what the heck, let’s try it again,” Leonard said.
And Tabag barged right through again.
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: How this sophomore running back powered Rochester to 4A title game
Reporting by Bill Welt, Springfield State Journal-Register / State Journal-Register
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