Execution deciding factor in outcome
In a football game between heated rivals decided by two points, every "little thing" executed properly or poorly has a huge impact.
Such was the case in Geneva's grinding 14-12 victory over host Batavia Friday night that left the visiting Vikings standing as an undefeated Western Sun Conference champion and a perfect 9-0 for the regular season.
A breakdown of each quarter illustrates the ebb and flow of this 90th meeting between these neighboring high schools, but leaves Batavia fans with many doses of "what ifs."
First quarter:ŒGeneva learns on its first possession of the night that running back Michael Ratay is going to be a marked man. He has a hard time finding openings on the initial blocks, and is getting stretched out by a Batavia defense ready to chase him down.
Even though the Bulldogs have better field position most of the quarter, the Vikings do cash in when blitzing linebacker Trevor Hyslop forces Batavia quarterback Jordan Coffey into a bad pass, which is picked off by Casey Emanuel.
Two plays later, Ratay follows the blocks of Taylor Reed and Anthony Miller to find a huge hole and dash 34 yards to the Batavia 3-yard line. He eventually scores on a 3-yard run.
Batavia's main threat to answer is thwarted when a drive stalls at the Geneva 5-yard line. When Erich Zeddies tries a 22-yard field goal, the snap is bobbled by backup holder Ian Wallis, and is injured when tackled by Hyslop.
Wallis, a key receiver for the Bulldogs, watches the rest of the game with his arm in a sling.
Geneva 7, Batavia O.
Second quarter:ŒRunning back J.R. Kabba starts to find holes on counter plays, as Batavia's offensive line, particularly Will Thrun and Sean Ramsey neutralizes Geneva's defensive front. Kabba eventually breaks through with a 36-yard touchdown run, but Zeddies' extra point attempt is blocked.
Geneva's offense goes stagnant most of the quarter, while Batavia is enjoying good field position. But one of the game's biggest plays occurs when Geneva quarterback Michael Mayszak, in punt formation near his own goal line, punts the ball off the back of blocker Brennan Quinn. The ball bounds over Mayszak's head, but he recovers in his end zone, eludes about four Bulldog defenders near the 5-yard line and jaunts across the field for a 60-yard gain and one of the Vikings' few first downs in the quarter.
It causes Geneva coach Rob Wicinski to say afterward that "you've gotta be a little bit lucky, and you forget about those plays when the ball bounces your way."
Geneva 7, Batavia 6.
Third quarter:ŒThe Geneva defensive front begins to assert itself, and the Vikings enjoy better field position.
It pays off when Joe Augustine catches his first and only pass of the game on a critical third down play.
Two plays after being called for illegal procedure, Miller throws the block to spring Ratay for an 18-yard touchdown run with less than a minute left in the quarter.
Geneva 14, Batavia 6.
Fourth quarter:ŒGeneva is now running counter traps with Drew Fagot, to keep the attention away from Ratay. It pays off in longer ball possession, and Batavia simply runs out of time.
The Bulldogs complete a 70-yard touchdown march that starts with 8 minutes left in the game. By the time Zeddies makes a leaping touchdown catch from 19 yards out, only 4:16 remains.
After two timeouts, Batavia tries a two-point pass to Ryan Webb that is low and out of his reach. It appeared Batavia wanted to set up a play for tight end Jordan Church, but Geneva placed an extra linebacker near him just before the second timeout.
Ratay grinds out the final minutes with eight carries, and also recovers a fumbled snap that could have given Batavia its last gasp.
Final score: Geneva 14, Batavia 12.