ELMHURST, Ill. - Elmhurst opened the 2025 season at Langhorst Field with a thrilling 34-30 victory over Rockford. Behind a high-powered passing attack and timely defensive stops, Elmhurst built an early lead and held off a late Regents rally to secure the four-point win.
The Bluejays struck quickly in the first quarter. On their second possession, quarterback John Odom capped a four-play, 35-yard drive with a 12-yard touchdown pass to David Monteilh just 2:20 into the contest. Logan Turney added the extra point for a 7-0 lead. Later in the quarter, Elmhurst extended its advantage as Odom connected with Mason Leach on a two-yard scoring strike, finishing off a nine-play, 75-yard march for a 14-0 cushion. Rockford responded immediately, with a 51-yard touchdown pass to trim the margin to 14-7 after one quarter.
Early in the second, Rockford cut further into the deficit with a 35-yard field goal, making it 14-10. Elmhurst answered with a balanced 11-play, 68-yard drive capped by Jeffery Elms' three-yard touchdown run, pushing the lead back to 21-10. Just before halftime, Odom engineered a quick three-play, 41-yard drive in 42 seconds, hitting Preston Simard on a 24-yard touchdown with only 15 seconds left. Elmhurst carried a 28-10 advantage into the break.
Rockford rallied in the third quarter behind quarterback Cartail Dickey. The Regents drove 94 yards in 11 plays, finishing with a 28-yard touchdown to close within 28-17. Elmhurst countered immediately when Odom found Leach on a deep ball for a 70-yard score, restoring a 34-17 lead. Rockford then struck with two quick touchdowns — a 75-yard reception and a 16-yard pass — narrowing the deficit to 34-30 with 31 seconds left in the quarter.
The fourth quarter was a defensive battle. Elmhurst's most impressive possession came on a 17-play, 66-yard drive that consumed 10:18 of clock and ended on downs at the Rockford 31 with just over five minutes remaining. The Bluejay defense stood tall from there, keeping Rockford off the scoreboard the rest of the way to preserve the victory.
Odom led the Bluejay offense, completing 24-of-36 passes for 315 yards and four touchdowns. Leach was his top target, hauling in 10 receptions for 148 yards and two scores, including the decisive 70-yard touchdown in the third quarter. Simard added four catches for 65 yards and a touchdown, while Monteilh contributed three receptions for 27 yards and a score. On the ground, Elms carried 16 times for 57 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, Jace Zeffiro recorded a nine-yard sack, while Ryan Burton added a tackle for loss. The Bluejays also came up with a pair of interceptions, halting Rockford drives in the second half.
With the victory, Elmhurst moved to 1-0 on the season, marking the first win at the helm of the Bluejays for head coach Mike Heffernan.
