Geneva defense shows its mettle

GENEVA — Fans who have watched the rise of Geneva’s football program from afterthought to state powerhouse have gotten used to explosive offensive stars.

From quarterback Shaun Ratay and the likes of Matt Skaar and Chris Modjeski to the size and speed of receiver Joe Augustine to the record-breaking exploits of Shaun’s younger brother, Michael, the past two years, extremely talented skill position players have become the norm.

 But this season, faced with replacing Michael Ratay’s ridiculous production, the focus has shifted to the defense. And through two games, the results have been impressive.

Week 1, the Vikings held St. Charles East to three total yards in the first half of a 13-6 road win, jumping out to a 13-0 lead. As solid as the unit looked last week, allowing only a twisting, multiple-tackle-breaking touchdown run from East’s Matthew Payne, the Vikings’ defense was the big key to Friday’s 31-20 win over Morgan Park, a win that puts the Vikings in great position to run the table this regular season.

Led by Division I prospect Frank Boenzi at defensive tackle, highly-productive middle linebacker Bret Shannon and talented varsity veteran Michael Santacaterina in the secondary, the Vikings faced one of the biggest regular-season tests they have faced this decade in Morgan Park.

The Mustangs have a nine-year playoff streak going and have turned into Chicago’s best public school program. Blessed with gifted athletes at the skill positions and monster offensive linemen to offer protection to quarterback DaRon Brown, the Mustangs are a scary team to plan for.

The starting offensive line for the Mustangs averages 312 pounds per player, and that’s not including backup DeVonte Williams, the biggest of them all at 370 pounds. But the Vikings were able to be effective enough against that monster group to build a 17-0 lead in the first half, with all the points the result of solid defensive play.

At the 10:44 mark of the first quarter, senior Nolan Block picked Brown off and returned the interception 18 yards to set the Vikings up with first-and-10 at Morgan Park’s 11-yard-line. Santacaterina’s four-yard TD run two plays later opened a quick 7-0 lead.

Shannon harassed the Mustangs’ offensive line into a critical illegal procedure penalty that ultimately forced a punt with 7:09 left. After Geneva failed to score, the defense was at it again. Boenzi got his big paw in there to force a fumble, a week after recovering a fumble, to give Geneva the ball yet again. Senior quarterback Brandon Beitzel hit sophomore Matt Williams with a 36-yard gain to set up Santacaterina’s five-yard touchdown run with 11:51 left in the half.

Amazingly, the defense was not finished. Santacaterina had a key tackle on Brown to force a Morgan Park three-and-out to set up Charlie James’ 29-yard field goal with 5:05 left in the half. Morgan Park was able to punch in a score on its next possession, but after Geneva fumbled the ensuing kickoff, the defense had to step up to prevent the momentum from completely turning before the half.

Brown went 1-for-5 for 14 yards after receiving the ball at the Geneva 22-yard-line. A holding penalty against the Mustangs helped, and an incomplete pass on fourth down preserved the 17-6 halftime lead, but Block was at it again with a key pass defense in the drive. Morgan Park managed to break the plane again in the fourth, but by that time, Geneva was up 24-6, and the outcome was almost a certainty.

The offense is still a work in progress, but they looked good as well Friday. Santacaterina scored three rushing touchdowns in addition to his defensive exploits. Beitzel played arguably his best game in a Geneva uniform at just the right time, as Iowa State was at Burgess Field to scout him. But with a defense like this, jumping out to a quick lead may be enough every week to produce yet another magical postseason run.

Friday, against a powerhouse from the city, the Vikings proved that they do indeed belong in the conversation of big-time programs in Illinois. And they have the defense to largely thank for that.