News

Tri-Cities teams shoot for state trifecta

Posted November 18, 2008 10:00 pm

Daily Herald Staff Report

Geneva's Trey Hemming shares a moment with Dave Villarreal after the Vikings' 35-21 win over Carmel in their IHSA quarterfinal Saturday at Burgess Field in Geneva. Mary Beth Nolan | Staff Photographer

Geneva High School and Aurora Christian football fans would sure like to share the joy of St. Charles East volleyball fans who are celebrating that school's state championship last weekend.

Geneva takes on Crystal Lake South Friday in the Illinois High School Association Class 7A semifinal football playoffs that promise to be no warmer than last Saturday's quarterfinal victory over the Carmel Catholic High School Corsairs of Mundelein. The unbeaten Vikings defeated the Corsairs 35-21 on a chilly afternoon at home.

Nervous parents sipped hot coffee and laid out peanuts, chips, pasta salad and brownies. There were brats and venison burgers for the grill to complete a tailgate party on a wintry day.

It was far warmer in Redbird Arena in Normal where St. Charles East defeated a top-ranked Benet Academy to win the Class 4A girls state volleyball championship - besting a team that had been ranked in the top five nationally all year.

Add in Aurora Christian's football team which defeated seven-time state champion Driscoll last weekend to advance to Class 4A semifinals Saturday against Richmond-Burton High School and Tri-City teams are on a roll. Trifecta anyone?

Left to right, Jacqui Seidel, Aisha Tan and Michelle Gross celebrate as St. Charles East wins the Class 4A girls state volleyball championship. Joe Lewnard | Staff Photographer

Geneva's Michael Santacaterina gets a lift from lineman Greg Gregory after scoring in the second quarter of their IHSA quarterfinal Saturday at Burgess Field in Geneva. Geneva won the contest 35-21 to take on Crystal Lake South in the state semifinals. Mary Beth Nolan | Staff Photographer

St. Charles East celebrates after defeating Benet Academy to win the Illinois High School Association Class 4A girls state volleyball championship at Redbird Arena, Normal, Saturday. Joe Lewnard | Staff Photographer

Geneva head coach Rob Wicinski beams while talking to his Saturday after their 35-21 win over Carmel Saturday at Burgess Field. The Vikings will host Crystal Lake South Friday in the state semifinals. Mary Beth Nolan | Staff Photographer

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