Scouting Geneva at Batavia

Geneva (3-2, 3-0) at Batavia (3-2, 2-0)

Game time: 7:30 p.m. today

Last year: Geneva 23, Batavia 0.

Last week: Geneva 35, St. Charles North 34; Batavia 28, St. Charles East 0.

Outlook: In the 93rd meeting between these schools dating back to 1913, Geneva holds a series lead of 49-38-5. "I can't imagine a better rivalry in Illinois, from a fan perspective and from a player perspective," said Batavia coach Mike Gaspari, who in his 26th season is probably directing his last such battle as the Bulldogs' head man. "It's just two classy programs and two good communities." Tonight's visiting Vikings have won the last three games and the last two by lopsided scores of 23-0 and 47-14. A Geneva victory tonight would give the Vikings a near-stranglehold on the Upstate Eight Conference River division title they seek their seventh straight conference title dating to the Suburban Prairie days. But if either team wins in blowout fashion it would be a surprise. Batavia is vastly improved. Despite absorbing a 40-22 UEC crossover loss at Bartlett in Week 4, all the youth Gaspari played last season has borne fruit. Quarterback Noel Gaspari has completed 62 percent of his passes for 971 yards and 6 touchdowns, spreading out the load between Zach Strittmatter, Joe Sortino, tight end Cole Gardner and David Peskind, who also has been a boon in spot work at safety. Putting defensive tackle Alec Lyons at fullback (with Ben Fornek in the occasional Wildcat) has helped a ground game that with tailback Emund Kabba now at 306 yards, has outgained the competition by 201. Against Geneva's own tough ground game which returns Dylan Nobregas from injury to help spell tailback Connor Quinn (516 yards, 6 touchdowns) Batavia's defensive line of Gardner, Lyons, Nick Gorczyca and Jeff Hartzell must continue what it did against St. Charles East. It'll be interesting to see what Geneva coach Rob Wicinski has in store offensively for Batavia. Against St. Charles North the Vikings kept the ball on the ground for all but 7 Matt Williams pass attempts, fullback Joe Cella pounding through center James Buban and Quinn following pulling guards Brett Willman and Jake Bastin off-tackle, helped by tight end Connor Einck, for the bulk of his 152 yards rushing. Two weeks ago Williams passed 22 times with touchdowns to Einck, Matt Rogers and Doug Berthold who last week returned a kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown. (The Vikings' last return for touchdown was in 2005 by Nick Herrera, brother of junior back Ben Herrera.) Considering his respect for Batavia's improved passing game, Wicinski may stick with last week's clock-control plan and give Quinn a heavy load. Rob Harden returns from injury to bolster the Vikings' defensive line, as do Batavia linebacker Jake Benner and defensive lineman Austin Lewis. Wait for the emotions to settle and get set to watch what should be a fun game in this vaunted rivalry. "It's all about the ball," Wicinski maintained. "Who protects the ball usually wins these games."

Next week: Geneva at Streamwood (2-3, 0-2), Oct. 8; Batavia at Elgin (3-2, 2-1), Oct. 8.