Scouting St. Charles East at Geneva

St. Charles East (0-2, 0-0) at Geneva (0-2, 0-0)

Game time: 7:30 p.m. today

Last year: Geneva 13, St. Charles East 6.

Last week: Naperville North 17, St. Charles East 0; Morgan Park 30, Geneva 17.

Outlook: St. Charles East welcomes Geneva into the Upstate Eight Conference's River Division in the first meeting of these two forces as conference foes since 1964 when they were in the Little Seven. It's the second time Geneva coach Rob Wicinski and St. Charles East's Mike Fields have faced each other on opposite sides of the field, Fields moving to the orange-and-black side last season after a decade as a Vikings assistant. "It is what it is," Wicinski said. "We both want to beat each other, but we both understand there's a lot of variables involved, it's not just the coaches. It's a lot of fun." It wasn't a lot of fun last week for St. Charles East quarterbacks. Starter Charlie Fisher pulled a groin muscle that has him out this week, and promising Dean Bowen came in only to break both bones in a forearm. He's lost for the season. That means junior Jake Mazanke, normally a receiver but last year's starting sophomore quarterback (after another Bowen injury), gets the call again. "We're hopeful he'll catch up to the speed," Fields said. For a second straight week not many could catch up with Saints tailback Mike Brown. He came off an 86-yard game against Carmel with 135 yards on 35 carries against Naperville North. Fields was very pleased by a defensive collective that held Naperville North scoreless in the first half, yet would like more consistency by an offense that's scored 7 points in 2 games. He's hoping an offensive line that returns Zach Hueneke plus tight end Andrew Carrano sets the pace. Geneva also has health problems. Defensive lineman Andrew Mariotti cracked the back of his head on the hard turf against Morgan Park and may be out, as might defensive lineman Rob Harden (ankle). It puts more emphasis on Geneva playing Connor Quinn less on offense and more on defense. He's already second on the team in tackles to safety Kyle Bender (25 to 22). It also gives more carries to Dylan Nobregas and newcomer Parker Woodworth - "whether they're ready or not," Wicinski said. Quarterback Matt Williams, who threw touchdown passes to Doug Berthold and Quinn against Morgan Park, continued his progression behind an offensive line that also improved. "I think we're both a little fragile mentally, starting out at 0-2," Wicinski said of both the Vikings and Saints. "(The key is partially) coming out to a good start, and usually that means no turnovers."

Next week: St. Charles East at Larkin (1-1), Sept. 18; Geneva at Elgin (1-1), Sept. 17.