Geneva answers the challenge, downs Elgin
Geneva cornerback Matt Malecha was aware that the Vikings faced a difficult challenge Friday night at Elgin.
"They're an explosive team," said the senior of the Maroons. "They have so much speed - we knew we were in for a tough test."
Geneva proved up to the task after falling behind early. Malecha led the Vikes back on defense with a couple of interceptions, while junior quarterback Matt Williams led three long second half touchdown drives in a 34-13 Geneva Upstate Eight Conference River Division win.
Williams connected on 3 scoring strikes while senior running back Connor Quinn rushed for 118 yards and two touchdowns as Geneva (2-2, 2-0) denied Elgin the 500th win in its program history.
"Our passing game is really coming along," said Geneva coach Rob Wicinski. "Matt is a young player who is coming into his own and letting the game come to him. The guys are getting very comfortable with each other and our offensive line is giving them some great protection."
"We just kept fighting," added Geneva wide receiver Ben Rogers, who was instrumental in the victory with 6 catches for 122 yards and a score. "We knew what we had to do. It was a great night all around."
Elgin senior quarterback Jake Meyer threw for 114 yards and a touchdown as the Maroons were right in it for most of the way but succumbed in the fourth quarter.
"It was a game that was much closer than the score indicated," said Elgin coach Dave Bierman, a former assistant of Wicinski's at Geneva. "Geneva did a great job, but so many times, it was one block here, or one play there that would have made a big difference.
"There were times when we just couldn't get our defense off the field. A lot of our kids go both ways and I think it takes more energy to play defense than it does offense. But I'm proud of our kids - no question about it, they played hard."
After Elgin's Dan Muenzer opened the scoring in the first quarter with an 19-yard touchdown catch, Geneva responded with two second quarter scores on a Quinn 2-yard run and a 31-yard pass from Williams to Rogers.
Elgin senior Earl Holloway gave the Maroons (2-2, 1-1) new life, electrifying the crowd and tying the game with a dynamic 88-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to open the second half.
But the rest of the way it was all Vikings. Geneva took the lead back on a 11-play drive that culminated in a Williams 14 yard pass to Doug Berthold for a score.
Geneva put the game away in the fourth quarter on two more long drives of 13 and 8 plays respectively that culminated in touchdowns by Quinn (a 2-yard plunge) and tight end Connor Einck (11 yard reception.)
Geneva running backs Joe Calla (50 yards rushing) and Parker Woodworth (78 yards on the ground, all in the 4th quarter) made big contributions to the visitors win, while wide receiver Shaiquelle Hayes made three receptions for the Maroons.
After the game, Wicinski had nothing but praise for his opponent.
"They (Elgin) are a good, explosive team," said Wicinski. "I wouldn't be surprised if we saw them again in the playoffs."