Belvidere North became the first postseason-eligible football team from the Rockford area, and one of the first in the state, on Thursday night.

And the Blue Thunder did it at the expense of a now-slumping Jefferson squad. More football: Harlem or Guilford? E/PC or Du/Pec? Here's all our picks for Week 5 around Rockford area

North (5-0) took it to Jefferson (2-3), especially in the second half, and pulled away for a 36-12 win on Sept. 25. North halfback Ben Bucher had 90 yards and a touchdown on just five carries, and both quarterback Andrew Bucci and fullback Zavian McElroy rushed for 61 yards as the Blue Thunder gained 377 yards on the ground as a team.

"In the second half we started looking more like ourselves," said Bucher, whose 11-yard TD run midway through the third all but seal

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