Scouting St. Charles North at Geneva

St. Charles North (2-2, 1-0) at Geneva (2-2, 2-0)

Game time: 7:30 p.m. today.

Last year: Did not play.

Last week: St. Charles North 56, Streamwood 42; Geneva 34, Elgin 13.

Outlook: This Upstate Eight Conference River Division contest is the first meeting between these two programs. Given St. Charles North's tendency to both score and allow big points (142 for, 192 against) - sometimes in the same game - is a shootout in store? "I hope not. I hate those, I really do," said St. Charles North coach Mark Gould, Geneva's head coach in 1994. "In the past both teams have prided themselves on good defense. We're not really in the shootout-type mentality. I think both of us are working really hard on defense this week." That means giving even more responsibility at safety to Jake Bergren, last year's starting North Stars quarterback who last week returned from a broken hand. Gould also hopes safety Pat McGushin (knee) returns, and he gave both defensive end Hayden Lewis and Jim Huske (6-2, 220) a thumbs-up for their efforts. When he's got a guy like senior Dirk Schmitt in the offensive backfield, though, things will happen. Schmitt (6-2, 210) ran for 101 yards on 11 carries against Streamwood, and scored on a 52-yard run, a 75-yard kickoff return, and on a 9-yard catch. "We'll see how much our defense improves - and can we not give up the big play?" Gould said. Schmitt was considered for last week's offensive player of the week honor Geneva quarterback Matt Williams won. The junior completed 13 of 22 passes for 205 yards and touchdown passes to Ben Rogers, Doug Berthold and tight end Connor Einck (6-5, 195). Rogers was a force with 6 catches for 130 yards, while tailback Connor Quinn ran 22 times for 114 yards and 2 touchdowns. Vikings coach Rob Wicinski was impressed the Vikings didn't panic falling behind 7-0 to Elgin. The adjustments that worked then will come in handy tonight should the North Stars switch from the run game to quarterback Matt Shiltz targeting Josh Mikes in the passing game. Geneva defensive backs Kyle Bender, Tyler Ulin and Ryan Landrum will guard the perimeter against Mikes, while Wicinski sends defensive tackle Andrew Mariotti (6-4, 225) to clog the interior line. And as far as the prospect of a high-scoring track meet, Wicinski will take what he can get. "I hope we don't get into a shootout because that means they're really pushing the points on the board," he said. "But on the offensive side, whatever comes our way."

Next week: St. Charles North at Elgin (2-2, 1-1), Oct 1; Geneva at Batavia (2-2, 1-0), Oct. 1.