Crafty Gregory brothers forge pivotal playoff spark for Rochester football
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The Gregory brothers possess a crafty array of talent that matches their uniquely exceptional names on the Rochester football team.
This includes senior Khorbin and sophomore twins Khornell and Khordell.
Each present a trove of skills that are not limited to any one aspect of the game. Khorbin, in particular, has summoned three touchdowns on special teams alone this postseason.
“I just fill whatever role the coach needs me to,” Khorbin said. “I’m just there ready for anything.”
Khorbin opened the playoffs with both a 56-yard punt return and a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Taylorville. He most recently forged a 90-yard kickoff return for a TD in the rollicking overtime win over Sacred Heart-Griffin in the quarterfinals.
No. 3 Rochester (11-1) next hosts No. 4 Breese Central (11-1) at Rocket Booster Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 22, at 4 p.m. in the Class 4A semifinals. The winner advances to the championship game in Normal on Friday, Nov. 28.
“I got a lot of experience last year, so when I got the opportunity to be back there and return it, I just knew what I had to do and just follow the blockers,” Khorbin said.
Khornell, like any good brother, took a sliver of credit as a lead blocker. He also nabbed a pivotal interception in overtime to set up Jorey Myren’s game-winning touchdown, while Khordell added two TD runs himself.
Khordell, who only recently returned from a Week 2 injury, said the elder Khorbin figuratively provided them “a good path because as a senior he shows us where to go and lead us in the right direction”
Added Khornell, “We’ve just got a strong bond. We’ve all played the same sports together throughout our years, so we’ve just got that chemistry.”
Consummate athletes
Each can impact the game in unlimited ways.
Khordell has a flair for both quarterback and receiver. Prior to injury, he hurled a 33-yard touchdown pass Week 1 against Gibson Southern (Indiana).
He also threw a pair of TDs in last year’s Week 9 win over SHG.
“I’ve been playing quarterback since kindergarten through freshman year and they decided to move me to receiver, and I was doing pretty good at that,” Khordell said. “But I like them both and I can still throw the ball. If we need a trick play or something, I can throw the ball, too.”
Each of the Gregorys — including youngest sibling Carter — additionally play basketball. Khordell said they are constantly motivating each other. Their paths only diverge somewhat in the spring for track (Khordell and Khornell) and baseball (Khorbin).
Their dad, Quinn, serves as an assistant boys basketball coach at Rochester as well.
“When we were in kindergarten, we knew that we were really athletic and our dad just wants us to train a lot and stay in a sport, so we figured we’d play basketball, football and track since we were fast,” Khordell said.
There’s virtually no sport they haven’t tried growing up. But they always knew what they were best at.
Khorbin especially champions the team aspect of football.
“Everybody just comes together as one for one goal,” Khorbin said. “It’s a great feeling.”
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Khorbin leads Gregory siblings, Rochester football to IHSA 4A semis
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