Geneva aims for 8th straight title
Division I quarterbacks don’t come around all that often. So let’s start this thing with Geneva senior Matt Williams.
In 2010 the 6-foot-2, 180-pound Northern Illinois-bound senior threw all but 3 of the Vikings’ 182 passes. He completed 96 of 179 attempts (54 percent) for 1,725 yards, 18 touchdowns and 6 interceptions.
In the midst of Geneva’s eight-game win streak, Williams went 10 of 12 for 282 yards and 2 touchdowns against Streamwood. Earlier in the season he completed 13 of 22 passes for 205 yards, 3 touchdowns, against Elgin.
In Geneva’s playoff win over Oak Forest — the second straight game in which the Vikings scored 69 points — Williams was 9 of 13 for 184 yards, 2 touchdowns. He also threw 2 touchdown strikes against 10-3 Morgan Park, albeit in a loss.
Northern Illinois liked the accuracy and upside of Williams, who added 349 yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground.
Geneva coach Rob Wicinski likes all that and more.
“Plus his leadership. He’s one of our captains, and we feed off him. Our tailback has kind of been our show the last few years, so this is a little bit different,” Wicinski said.
“You like being around guys like this. He’s got it. He’s high on his toes all the time.”
Wicinski said there’s a businesslike approach to Williams’ offense in preseason camp, that “we can be dangerous if we put all the other pieces together.”
First of all, the line returns three starters: all-conference guard Jake Mills, 270-pound junior left tackle Jacob Bastin and tight end Connor Einck, another all-conference returner. Connor Chapman is a 6-foot-5, 265-pound junior tackle.
The graduations of Connor Quinn and fullback Joey Cella leave Williams as the returning rushing leader, but at least senior Parker Woodworth got enough reps in 8 games to run for 198 yards — 9.4 yards per carry. Bobby Hess and Ben Herrera, a 5-foot-7 scooter, also will take handoffs.
At receiver, along with Einck and senior Tyler Hickey, the Vikings have one of the area’s top athletes. In track and field last spring, senior Ben Rogers was a 43-foot triple jumper in his first day competing in the event. Last season he led the Vikings with 24 catches and 475 yards receiving, with 3 touchdowns.
All-conference defensive end Drew White is the sole returning defensive starter. His 44 tackles included 4 for loss.
“Our defense last year did not tackle well, and that’s a real big emphasis for us,” Wicinski said. Guys like middle linebacker Nick Caruso, defensive tackle Henry Zupke, defensive backs Andy Francis and Jake Peterson and junior linebacker Jake Boser aim to move the feet and square up.
Geneva seeks its eighth straight conference title, a run that’s seen the Vikings go 70-15 overall and 41-3 in conference spanning three leagues. A second straight Upstate Eight Conference River Division title beckons — but so too do initial nonconference foes Rock Island and Wheaton North “that are like playoff games,” Wicinski said.
“We’ve got to win the day-to-day, week-to-week turnover battle,” he said. “But (the challenge) is going to be getting these young guys up to speed. They’ve got to come along, and quickly.”
Geneva breakdown
Coach: Rob Wicinski (13th year, 80-50).
2009 record: 8-3, 6-0, won 7th straight conference title.
Postseason: Seven straight playoff appearances.
Last five years (starting in 2006): 11-2, 11-1, 13-1, 9-2, 8-3
Total: 52-9
2011 Enrollment: 1942
Schedule
Date Opponent Time
8/26 Rock Island 7:30
9/2 Wheaton North 7:30
9/9 at St. Charles E. 7:30*
9/16 Elgin 7:30*
9/23 at St. Charles N. 7:30*
9/30 Batavia 7:30*
10/7 Streamwood 7:30*
10/15 at South Elgin 1:30
10/21 at Larkin 7:30*
* denotes conference game
Probable starters
Offense (Pro I)
Pos. Name Ht/Wt Yr.
QB Matt Williams 6-2/180 Sr.*
FB Ben Herrera 5-7/160 Sr.
TB Parker Woodworth 5-10/180 Sr.
WR Ben Rogers 6-2/180 Sr.*
WR Tyler Hickey 6-1/170 Sr.
TE Connor Einck 6-5/210 Sr.*
LT Jacob Bastin 6-3/270 Jr.*
LG Bobby Byker 5-11/195 Sr.
C Kevin Carlson 6-3/275 Sr.
RG Jake Mills 6-2/265 Sr.*
RT Connor Chapman 6-5/265 Jr.
K Matt Williams 6-2/180 Sr.
Defense (4-3)
Pos. Name Ht/Wt Yr.
DE Henry Zupke 6-3/225 Sr.
NT Nathan Balettie 6-2/250 Jr.
DT Drew White 6-4/215 Sr.*
DE Jake Powers 5-11/180 Sr.
OLB Jake Boser 5-11/210 Jr.
MLB Nick Caruso 6-3/225 Sr.
OLB Jake Will 6-1/190 Jr.
S Andy Francis 5-11/170 Sr.
S Jake Peterson 6-0/150 Sr.
CB Jon Kapfhamer 5-11/145 Sr.
CB Brendan Ramirez 5-9/165 Sr.
P Matt Williams 6-2/180 Sr.
* denotes returning starter