Sam Knych scored twice and Burlington Central defeated Sycamore 2-0 during Tuesday’s Class 2A Burlington Central Regional semifinal.

Burlington Central (9-9-1) advances to Saturday’s regional championship against top-seeded Rockford Boylan Catholic at noon.

With the gusting winds at their backs in the first half, the Rockets took a 1-0 lead into halftime after Knych scored with 13:31 remaining.

“We won the ball back and it was a great ball from AJ (Valladares),” Knych said. “He was just ‘Go, go, go,’ and he gave me the perfect ball. I couldn’t have asked for a better one and I just slotted it in.” 1 of 16

Sycamore's Conor Wickness slides to try and kick the ball away from Burlington Central’s Sam Knych Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025, during their IHSA Class 2A regional semifinal match at

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