Llanes, Burlington Central down Marengo

The cold, wet conditions Friday didn't figure to produce a high-scoring affair, so Burlington Central coach Aaron Wichman wasn't surprised when his Rockets found themselves on the right end of a 21-14 score against Marengo.

The Rockets (3-4, 2-1) kept their playoff hopes alive with the Big Northern East victory on Rocket Hill.

"21-14 is pretty much what I expected on a night like this and in a game like this," said Wichman. "Our field isn't in the best of shape, but tomorrow morning it still counts."

Tre Llanes ran for 164 yards and a touchdown, Mike Kellenberger caught a touchdown pass on a deflection, and Brandon Westergaard ran for a score for the Rockets.

The Indians, held in check all night, rallied for 2 fourth-quarter scores. The second made it 21-14 with 2:51 left. Marengo tried an onside kick, but it did not travel the required 10 yards. The Rockets took possession and were able to run out the clock.

Central's defense was dominant for 3 quarters. J. J. Branecki had a sack and was in on numerous tackles, and Kellenberger had an interception.

Offensively, the Rockets mostly stuck to basics, running behind Llanes and Westergaard. Llanes had 106 of the Rockets' 128 net yards in the first half.

With time running out in a scoreless half, Rocket quarterback Tim Maroder fired downfield toward Kellenberger but underthrew. It looked like an interception, but the ball deflected off the cornerbacks' hands. Kellenberger picked it out of the air and ran untouched into the end zone.

Westergaard made it 14-0 on a 4-yard run in the third quarter. After the Indians closed to 14-6 on a run by Cody Bauman, Llanes scored from 18 yards out to put Central ahead 21-6.