Geneva slows Glenbard East offense
Well aware of Glenbard East's high-scoring passing offense, senior Collin Lee and his Geneva football defensive teammates knew the task at hand.
"We worked on our rush lanes, getting pressure on the quarterback (Phil Abruzino)," Lee said. "We knew that he liked the three-step drop, getting the ball off quick. I was putting my hands up, trying to hit the ball down. We were trying everything we could."
Active hands played a big role in the Vikings gaining and keeping the momentum in a 39-21 victory in the Upstate Eight Conference crossover in Lombard.
Geneva (7-0) trailed 7-0 after the first quarter before Tim Green blocked a punt that the Rams (4-3) recovered in the end zone for a safety.
After Alec Keating's 34-yard return on the free kick along with a penalty put the ball at the 24-yard line, the Vikings scored three plays later and led the rest of the way.
This was only the second time this season that Glenbard East scored fewer than 34 points in a game.
"I'm extremely ecstatic with the defense. We were extremely worried about their four wides," Geneva coach Rob Wicinski said.
"(Abruzino) is real good about getting the ball and getting it out quickly. (Lee) and company really put some nice pressure. He does that every day (in practice) so I'm glad to see someone else feel that because we struggled against our defense throwing the ball."
Lee had 3 of the Vikings' 7 blocked or deflected passes in the first half alone.
Geneva's defense later had a blocked punt by Zach Ostrowski and Danny Quirin returned a pass deflected by Mike Schmook for a touchdown - the defensive line's third TD this season.
"(Our coaches) don't always send the linebackers on block, but this time they called it," Green said. "I've been getting through at practice so when (our coaches) called it, I got right through, got my hands up and blocked it."
Geneva's offense also thrived behind running back Justin Taormina's 135 rushing yards and 2 TDs and quarterback Sean Chambers' 138 passing yards, 96 of them to Ryan Skibinski with one TD.
Chambers completed six passes in a row - all to Skibinski - including a 12-yard TD. The final one, a 30-yarder, set up a 42-yard field goal by Bradley King to end the first half with Geneva ahead 26-14.
"Our offense always puts up points so we need to keep them to 20-some points and our offense will throw up points," Green said.
Abruzino passed for 273 yards and his 21st TD this season - a 63-yarder to Mitch Luttrell - and rushed for the Rams' first two scores. The Rams reached the 42 and 13 on fourth-quarter drives before turning the ball over on downs. Quirin, starting in place of leading tackler Steve Kemp, then scored with 2:58 left.
Geneva, 7-0 for the first time since its second-place 2008 state team, now focuses on meeting rival Batavia with first place in the UEC River on the line.
"It starts now. Right now," Lee said.
The Rams suffered their third loss to a playoff-bound team. Coach John Walters said he was most disappointed in allowing the touchdowns caused by the blocked punts and interception.
"That's 23 points off the board. Right now we're our own worst enemy. You can't afford the mistakes we're making and beat good football teams." Walters said.
"To be honest, we've kind of shot ourselves in the foot. We're aware of it. (Our players) know what's in front of them. Their (playoff) destiny is still in their hands."