Beitzel keeps getting better now that he's having fun
Watch out Geneva. You are becoming so good the traditional football powers are coming after your players.
"Does he have any little brothers who want to transfer North?" Carmel coach Andy Bitto said after watching another vintage Michael Ratay 3-touchdown (should have been 4) performance in the Vikings' 35-21 Class 7A quarterfinal win Saturday, their third semifinal appearance in five years.
Bitto, was, of course, joking. And who in their right mind would want to transfer from Geneva now?
Not with the Vikings one win away from their second state appearance - first since going 11-2 and finishing second in 1975.
Back then the Vikings were a 3A school in a 5-class system.
Now they are 7A in eight-class, flexing their muscles with the best programs in the state. Now a 12-win team for the first time in school history, with Crystal Lake South all that is standing between lucky 13 and Thanksgiving weekend in Champaign.
If that sounds like a fun program to be part of, it is. And having fun is what quarterback Brandon Beitzel credits for his improved play throughout the season, which has taken him from perhaps the question mark to whether Geneva could get to state to one of the difference-makers in the Vikings getting there.
Not bad for a QB who had 9 interceptions in the first seven games, including four against DeKalb and three against Glenbard South.
"I just decided to start having fun," Beitzel said. "Turn the game into fun. We were thinking too much."
When you have a back like Ratay behind you, now with 41 rushing touchdowns this year just four shy of the state record, it's easy to understand why Beitzel can be an afterthought. But with games like Saturday's, and games like he's had throughout the playoffs, he can change it.
Against Carmel, the junior completed all five of his second-half passes to finish 11 of 15 for 135 yards. He ran for one score and passed for another, and the most important stat might have been his 0 interceptions.
"If I was on defense I would be watching him every play too," Beitzel said of Ratay. "The defense needs to respect Michael so it (the passing game) opens a lot. It's tough for defense to guard that."
Earlier in the year, Beitzel's picks seemed to be one thing that could keep Geneva from going deep in the playoffs. But he's playing mistake-free football in the playoffs, with 26 completions in 37 attempts for 370 yards, 4 touchdowns and no interceptions the last three weeks.
After the three picks against Glenbard South, coach Rob Wicinski referred to his QB as a "young pup."
"I knew he was a good boy, works hard, he's got that combination and he has an arm and his head is on straight," Wicinski said. "It was three-phase process. We were breaking down early in the year. The blocks weren't there and then when the blocks were there we weren't making the catch. If the catch was there the pass wasn't. It was a process we just had to stay patient. He's maturing very nicely, no doubt about it."
Beitzel's improved play has helped take just a little pressure off Ratay, who said he has noticed a difference from defenses.
"He's made great improvements from the beginning of the year," Ratay said. "I could tell when I was out there they (the defense) were backing up, getting a little out of box."
While Beitzel was struggling early in the season, his teammates kept trying to build his confidence. Their support is paying off now with a quarterback who can keep defenses from completely selling out to stop Ratay.
"We told him he's doing fine," Ratay said. "First year coming up to varsity level, I don't think he expected what it was going to be like. But he's grown up a lot. We're really proud of him."
"Brandon is coming along really nice," senior defensive end Cory Hofstetter said. "He's got a lot more confidence. He's done a lot better as the season has progressed. We're always there for him, we're here to support him. I think our support as a team has helped him a lot."
Maybe next year it will be programs coming after Beitzel. But rest assured, Geneva fans. None of the Vikings have plans to go anywhere.
Except Champaign.