Geneva secures first outright DuKane Conference title with comeback win over St. Charles East

Despite finishing below the .500 mark overall and in DuKane Conference play a year ago, Geneva running back Nelson Wendell was among many who believed things would be different this season.

“It was hard last year,” Wendell said. “It was a tough season, but I knew that we had an amazing group of seniors coming back.”

His feelings proved to be spot-on.

The senior workhorse (14 carries, 98 yards) scored three second-half touchdowns during the Vikings’ 42-21 come-from-behind victory over St. Charles East (3-6, 1-6) Friday night at Norris Stadium.

With the win the Vikings (8-1, 7-0) claimed their first outright DuKane Conference title since its inception in 2018 — they finished in a three-way tie with Batavia and St. Charles North two years ago.

“It’s our first outright conference title since 2010 - and our first in the DuKane,” said Vikings coach Boone Thorgesen. “That’s a big deal because the DuKane is a tough football conference. “I’m so proud of them.”

It was far from easy.

Celebrating their homecoming, the Saints built a quick 21-0 lead, scoring on their first three possessions. Senior tailback Johnny Solano, who gained 116 of his 156 yards in the first half, tallied a pair of touchdowns on runs covering 32 and six yards, respectively.

Junior quarterback Cruz Herrera also connected on a five-yard touchdown pass for the Saints, who controlled the line of scrimmage for the first 15 minutes.

Falling behind by three touchdowns didn’t seem to faze the Vikings.

Quarterback Ben Peterson, who completed 25 of 34 for 278 yards and four touchdowns, connected with Luke Ignoffo for a 20-yard scoring strike before tossing a 37-yard bomb to senior wideout Bennett Konkey (15 catches, 184 yards) in the second quarter to pull the Vikings within 21-14 at halftime.

Early in the second half, Geneva’s Jakob Barry provided a momentum changer when he broke through the line to block a punt near midfield.

“I came free and it hit me in the facemask,” Barry said. “We came out flat in the first half, but it was an all-out team effort in the second half.”

Six plays later, Wendell’s five-yard touchdown run tied the game at 21-21.

On the first play of the fourth quarter, Wendell caught a 32-yard pass from Peterson and raced to the end zone to give Geneva its first lead, 28-21.

Wendell’s 25-yard touchdown run midway through the final quarter provided some breathing room before Peterson’s five-yard touchdown pass to Lincoln Mercado capped the scoring.

“Our backs were against the wall after that first quarter,” Thorgesen said. “It’s a testament to my kids for righting the ship and getting it back on track.”

Quite a turnaround from a year ago at this time.

“We just have a great bunch of seniors,” the coach said. “Last year, it didn’t go that well for us, but these guys worked the entire offseason and they led from the front.”