Vikings win chess match

In order to set their sails for Champaign and the Class 7A state title game, the Geneva Vikings had to outlast a rugged gang of Crystal Lake South Gators.

The 13th victory of the season for Geneva came on a frigid Friday night at Burgess Field and was one of the biggest in school history - a 25-21 final that sealed the Vikings' first trip to the state final game since 1975.

But it came about through what boiled down to a physical chess match, pitting a Crystal Lake South defense that was determined to stop Michael Ratay, and a Geneva defense that would not break in the game's tense final quarter.

A quarter-by-quarter breakdown tells why Geneva players and fans were celebrating on the field long after the final gun sounded in this dramatic semifinal clash.

First quarter: The Vikings found out early that it was going to be a night where all of the bounces may not go their way. The Gators fumble twice on their opening possession, but manage to recover each time and go on a 10-play, six-minute drive that features a 38-yard gallop by Cory Galloway on a fake punt and ends with a 21-yard field goal by Jose Ponce.

Crystal Lake quarterback Drew Ormseth makes it difficult for the Viking defense to zero in on Gator running backs, as he appears to be setting up his wing-option offense, but instead is handing off to the first back through.

Crystal Lake South nose tackle Sam McCole limps off the field and never returns, but the Gators are still halting Ratay from breaking loose by loading eight defenders up close to the line. It does allow Geneva quarterback Brandon Beitzel to start hitting his receivers in an open seam between Gator linebackers and defensive backs. It results in a key 21-yard, third-down pass to Jason Holmes and helps Geneva come right back with a 34-yard Sean Grady field goal to tie the score.

All of the players are finding the frozen turf difficult to negotiate, as several are slipping when trying to make slashing or cutting moves.

Score: Geneva 3, Crystal Lake South 3.

Second quarter: When Viking punter Harrison May pins the Gators down at their own 5-yard line with a 40-yard punt, it appears Geneva is set up to stifle Crystal Lake South and command good field position.

Even though Geneva welcomed back its 290-pound defensive tackle Frank Boenzi, who had missed every playoff game because of mononucleosis, for his first action on this series, Crystal Lake South was ready to open some eyes.

The Gators orchestrated a 95-yard, seven-minute scoring drive in which they again recovered their own fumbles twice and established a ground attack behind solid blocking from its front four even though Geneva was trying to mix up its defensive front with stunts and moving defensive end Cory Hofstetter from side to side. The benefactor of excellent blocking was Derek Mortenson, who scored on a 4-yard run, and had 20 yards on the drive to go along with a key 15-yard pass reception on fourth down.

Geneva is finding it tough going, with Ratay unable to break loose and Beitzel being picked off by Steve Rogers in the end zone just as the half came to a close.

Score: Crystal Lake South 9, Geneva 3.

Third quarter: As they have all season, the Vikings showed right away that they are a solid second-half team. When Sean Grady returns the opening kickoff to the Geneva 46-yard line, Beitzel later completes a key 14-yard, fourth-down pass to Jason Holmes in which he zips the ball between three Gator defenders.

Geneva is showing a double tight-end set, intent on more power blocking to counter Crystal Lake's smothering defense. It sets up Ratay's first breakout run of the night, a 30-yard scoring jaunt off right tackle, where he was having a hard time finding room earlier in the game.

The battle of extra points proves to be critical, as Grady picks up a loose ball that slipped through holder Beitzel's hands, and he finds Hofstetter, who lined up as a tight end, for a two-point conversion pass.

Crystal Lake South later answers when Ormseth hits Colin Masterson with a 50-yard pass that Grady tipped just before it floated into the Gator receiver's hands. Mortensen makes the Vikings pay with a 10-yard quick opener right over center for a touchdown. But the Gators fail again to convert the extra point when Nolan Block bats away a two-point pass attempt.

Ratay is finally the featured weapon again, notching his second touchdown of the night on a 1-yard TD run. But the big play was for Brennan Quinn, who came out of his Power-I fullback slot to grab a critical 9-yard, fourth-down pass to get Geneva inside the 5-yard line.

Score: Geneva 18, Crystal Lake South 15.

Fourth quarter: It was nail-biting time for Geneva fans as Crystal Lake South takes advantage of a long kickoff return by Masterson to the Viking 34-yard line. With the Vikings trying to bottle up the Gators' running attack, Crystal Lake South turns to standout tight end Vince Benedetto, who pulls down a 12-yard pass from Orsmeth on a rollout. When the kick fails, the Gators are clinging to a 21-18 lead.

With their season on the line, Ratay catches the Gator linebackers in a shift and he bursts through the center of the line untouched for a 52-yard scoring run on the Vikings' first snap. The good field position was set up by Brandon Lee, who snared a line-drive on-side kick.

With less than 10 minutes left, Crystal Lake South tries to mount a comeback drive. With a third-and-10 play on their own 33, Ormseth rolls out, eludes two tacklers, but has the ball knocked out of his hand by Rich MacDonald. Grady picks up the loose ball and gets pushed out of bounds at the Viking 31.

With the offense playing it safe, the Viking defense would be called on for two more stands. The first one came with 5:36 left when Boenzi and Bret Shannon make two big stops on Martenson. On a third-and-nine at the 30-yard line, Shannon tips a pass to force a Gator punt.

With 2:49 left, Geneva makes the defensive stand that punches the ticket to Champaign. With a first down on the 50-yard line, Ormseth rolls to his right, as he had done all night. With Corey Hofstetter bearing down and raising his long arms, Ormseth tries to hit a receiver downfield, but fires the ball right into the arms of Viking linebacker Trevor Hyslop.

Ratay made his final statement on the Burgess Field he used as his personal stage this year by cruising 31 yards on a third-down play with 1:52 left.

With Crystal Lake South out of timeouts, it signaled the end of years of frustration for Geneva and a wild celebration on the field for players and fans.

Final score: Geneva 25, Crystal Lake South 21