Scouting: Geneva @ Glenbard South

Geneva (3-0, 1-0)

at Glenbard South (2-1, 1-0)

Game time: 7:30 p.m. today

Last year: Geneva 14, Glenbard South 7.

Last week: Geneva 21, Yorkville 10; Glenbard South 19, Batavia 16.

Outlook: It took quite a struggle for Geneva to win its 22nd straight regular-season game last week. The Vikings overcame a 10-0 deficit, 11 penalties for 110 yards and the late ejection of big Frank Boenzi that'll keep the standout defensive tackle out of this week's game. "Anytime you lose a player of Frank's caliber it's going to be an issue," said Geneva coach Rob Wicinski."But like I've said before, it's an opportunity for somebody else." In this case, it'll be somebodies - Nos. 72-73 in your program, senior Chris Horton (6-3, 245) and junior Rob Harden (5-11, 245). Despite all the downers, though, Geneva still came back to win behind the rushing tandem of Jay Graffagna and Michael Santacaterina, who combined for 200 yards and scored all 3 touchdowns. Headed by Graffagna's 315 yards rushing, those two own all of the Vikings' net 460 rushing yards except the 41 from fullback Connor Quinn. Glenbard South also needs to be wary of experienced quarterback Brandon Beitzel, who has been offered by Western Michigan. Beitzel doesn't have huge numbers yet, but he's distributed the ball to eight different receivers. Glenbard South has been anxiously awaiting this game since last year's tough 14-7 loss to the Vikings - the defending Western Sun champion's toughest regular-season game. Quarterback Trace Wanless, who threw for 200 yards and rushed for 75, rallied the team to last week's win over Batavia. Receivers Connor Douglas and Mike Rovansek form a nice tandem. The Raiders need to get a consistent ground game to keep Geneva's offense off the field. Defensively it starts up front with Austin Teitsma, who has multiple Division I offers. Nick Slezak is pivotal in all phases, but perhaps most important at linebacker. After watching extensive drives from Batavia, the Raiders need some three-and-outs. Wicinski believes Glenbard South may have felt "snakebit" the last couple years, when stuff like a long snap over the punter's head ruined its chances against the Vikings. He also feels the Raiders may think it's their year to win conference, and that Geneva's best bet - after Class 7A's fifth-ranked team needed to rally past a 1-2 squad - is simply to execute offensively. "We need to take care of our business," Wicinski said. "This is more of an internal deal."

Next week: Geneva at Sycamore (3-0, 1-0), Sept. 18; DeKalb (1-2, 0-1) at Glenbard South, Sept. 25.