Western Beaver bloodied Rochester's nose last night in a WPIAL Class A quarterfinal by taking a 14-6 lead early in the second quarter.

Most of the season Rochester coach Gene Matsook has been telling his players that championship teams know how to respond to adversity.

Rochester (10-1) scored with 58 second left in the first half to tie the game, 14-14, then came out in the second half and took advantage of two Western Beaver turnovers en route to a 35-14 victory at Geneva College.

"The thing I'm happy about is we handled adversity," Matsook said. "We've been telling them when something strikes that's negative you have to respond to it."

Rochester gained good field position to begin third quarter when Western Beaver's Zach Cavalier fumbled and the Rochester's Brandon Gray recovered at Western Beaver's 37. The Rams moved to the 1 and then fumbled the ball back to the Golden Beavers (7-4). But Western Beaver couldn't manage a first down, punted and Rochester set up at the Western Beaver 33.

Seven plays later, Trey Johnson scored on a 2-yard run. Paul Everson kicked the extra point and Rochester had a 21-14 lead with 1:21 left in the quarter. Johnson set up the score by hauling in a 20-yard pass on fourth-and-15.

Rochester broke the game open on the first play of the fourth quarter. Hunter Creel fumbled for Western Beaver (7-4) and Matt Whiteleather scooped up the loose ball and ran 21 yards for a score. That score put the Rams on top 28-14.