Geneva, Konkey fly by Libertyville
The fastest teenager in Illinois high school football put the rest of the state on notice in Week 1.
Bennett Konkey opened the season with a 100-yard kickoff return, followed it up with a 70-yard touchdown catch on his first offensive snap, and later took a 49-yard screen pass streaking down the sideline for six more points.
It all happened in the first eight minutes of the game.
“He elite,” Geneva coach Boone Thorgesen said. “He’s elite. And he's so dangerous with the ball in his hands, and not only is he dangerous with the ball in his hands, but he's just a very smart football player, so he can handle a lot on his plate.”
With Konkey leading the way, Geneva claimed a 28-14 nonconference home victory over Libertyville on Friday night.
The Vikings’ big play machine finished the evening with 280 all-purpose yards between four catches and his kickoff return.
Fresh off winning state titles in the 100-meter and 200-meter sprints this spring, Konkey committed to the University of Illinois in June.
The future Big Ten player used his first class wheels to consistently create separation from defenders and help turn the gridiron into a track meet.
The 6-foot-1 four star recruit got the fireworks started early with his special teams score and it set the tone on opening night.
“I just saw the hole, I knew I had to hit it,” Konkey said. “The nerves before the game, I was throwing up and stuff, never throw up before games. Senior year, I gotta be a little bit nervous. That's what happens. I just told my teammates, block for me, and I'll do the rest. That's what I did.”
The much anticipated meeting between the DuKane and North Suburban Conference squads featured several highly touted Division I prospects.
Konkey and quarterback Ben Peterson (Eastern Michigan) starred for Geneva, while offensive tackle Aleks Nikolich (offers from Butler, Dayton, Drake, St. Thomas) and tight end Brock Williams helped guide the Libertyville attack.
Williams, a top 100 player nationally who announced his commitment to Texas on The Pat McAfee Show back in May, was kept quiet as the Vikings were able to generate consistent pressure on defense.
However, the Wildcats were able to hang around into the second half. Kaden Butt punched in a 5-yard touchdown with 1:14 to play in the half to make it 21-7.
The rain began in the second half and Peterson found Konkey for a 51-yard connection late in the third.
After crossing midfield, Peterson finished the drive on a 5-yard draw play to make it 28-7 with 11:54 to play.
The Wildcats did not quit and scored on a 24-yard Jackson Yarc touchdown pass to Charles Paden with 9:18 to play.
It ended up being too little, too late with Geneva riding running back Nelson Wendell for the final eight minutes of the game.
Geneva and its quick strike offense will face another major test in Week 2 when it welcomes 8A state runner-up Oswego before beginning the DuKane Conference grind.