Geneva's Chambers flourishes in quarterback role

At this time a year ago, Sean Chambers was trying to keep receivers and running backs from reaching the end zone.

Now, he's trying to throw passes to them so they can find the end zone.

Chambers, a 3-year varsity starter for Geneva's football team, lined up at safety the past 2 seasons as the Vikings qualified for the state playoffs.

After serving as the backup quarterback to since-graduated Daniel Santacaterina (now at Northern Illinois University) for 2 years, Chambers finally got his chance to take snaps behind center this season.

The 6-foot-3, 215-pound senior has passed the test - and then some.

Heading into Friday night's Class 7A second-round playoff game at Bradley-Bourbonnais, Chambers has completed 105 of his 212 pass attempts for 1,485 yards and 19 touchdowns with just 4 interceptions as the Vikings have compiled a 9-1 record.

"We go as Sean goes," said Vikings coach Rob Wicinski.

Originally, Wicinski felt Chambers could be a possible 2-way starter this season.

"There was a plan in place all the way through doubles (preseason practice) and really all the way through our first game," said Wicinski. "Then we just saw that when we tried to do some other things when Sean wasn't in (at quarterback), it wasn't happening.

"It just sort of morphed into him playing quarterback all the time."

Wicinski had little doubt that Chambers would excel at the high-profile position.

"It was a no-brainer for him to play quarterback," said the coach. "That's what he was groomed for. He took quarterback reps for two years. He's just such a good athlete that we put him at the safety spot."

Last season, Chambers earned all-Upstate Eight Conference River Division honors with 96 tackles while helping lead the Vikings to the 7A state quarterfinals.

"I had enough practice in this position," said Chambers. "I was well-prepared for it. I would love to be playing defense but I fully accept my role at quarterback. I'll do whatever is best for the team."

Admittedly, Chambers has had to adopt a different approach from his defensive playing days.

"The defensive mindset is a lot different from the quarterback's mindset," said Chambers. "On defense, you want to hit somebody. It's more emotional. At quarterback, you have to stay composed and try not to lose control. You have to keep your head in the game."

His emotional stability was put to the test during last Friday night's first-round playoff game against Oswego East.

With his team already trailing 7-0, Chambers' pass intended for favorite target Ryan Skibinski was intercepted by the Wolves' Kaelub Newman, who returned it to the Vikings' 6-yard line.

Fortunately, the defense held and the Vikings answered with a 15-play, 80-yard drive that was capped by Justin Taormina's 1-yard touchdown run.

The game-tying possession included a 20-yard pass completion from Chambers to Skibinski on a fake punt near midfield.

"Coach (Wicinski) told me on the sideline that the defense saved my butt," said Chambers.

Chambers has helped save the Vikings on numerous occasions this season.

In Week 4, Chambers tossed a 15-yard TD pass to Skibinski with 29 seconds remaining to lift the Vikings to a 42-41 victory over St. Charles North.

Two weeks later, he again hooked up with Skibinski on a 28-yard TD strike with 2:12 left during Geneva's 28-27 triumph over St. Charles East.

"Those games were so exciting and fun to win," said Chambers.

Wicinski was impressed with Chambers' growth at quarterback from the outset.

"Oh, my gosh, absolutely - right at the start of the season," said the coach. "That's how we got out to our fast start. We really didn't expect that so then we were able to put in more of the offense.

"His decision making for the first four games was phenomenal. I can probably count on one hand in the first four games how many times he made a bad decision."

That shouldn't come as a big surprise considering the fact that Chambers will attend Princeton next fall.

"I talked to a few Ivy League schools," said Chambers, who will shift back to the other side of the ball as a defensive back in college. "My dad (Josh) played football at Princeton (as an offensive lineman) and has been a strong role model for me so I always kind of wanted to follow in that direction."

Last winter, Chambers was a starting guard on the Vikings' basketball team that advanced downstate for the first time in 52 years (eventual 4th-place finish).

"Along with (offensive lineman/power forward) Loudon Vollbrecht, we've tried to help relay the message in football that we're a real good team," said Chambers.

With his team playing meaningful games in November, Wicinski fully realizes Chambers' value.

"We would not be where we're at right now without Sean," said the coach.