Down the stretch they come
Knights, Vikings neck and neck in WSC with two to go
It's been awhile, but the Western Sun Conference is a horse race this year -- and tonight's game at Kaneland is the start of an exciting home stretch.
Not since 2006 has the conference been this close this late in the year, and not coincidentally, that was also the last time Geneva had lost in WSC play.
(Beacon-News File)
In The Beacon's weekly video series, Kaneland quarterback Joe Camiliere and wide receiver Ryley Bailey break down their team's unbridled brand of offense. Also, linebacker Brett Ketza reveals which celebrity he'd like to throw out of the spotlight and why a Knight is the perfect mascot. See the videos at beaconnewsonline.com .
ON GAME NIGHT ...
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Three years ago, that loss opened the door for the Knights to win the conference title as the Vikings and the Batavia Bulldogs all finished 6-1 in the league.
Kaneland (5-2, 4-1 WSC) is hoping the latest Geneva loss bears similar fruit tonight in Maple Park.
"We're really excited to have this opportunity," Knights coach Tom Fedderly said. "We kind of felt no one would be undefeated, so we keep telling our kids to just play and let the chips fall where they may."
Rochelle's stunning victory in Geneva last week brought the Knights and Glenbard South back into the championship chase, meaning the Vikings (6-1, 4-1) have to win out to claim their third straight title.
"There's probably 95 percent of teams in the state of Illinois that would love to be 6-1 and have their destiny right in front of them," Geneva coach Rob Wicinski said. "We just went back to the same ol', same ol' and went back to work. That was the best remedy for us. Hopefully they've got a little bit of a chip on their shoulder now and a little bit more focus."
The Knights hope to have learned from 21-7 loss to Glenbard South two weeks ago. In that game, the Knights fell victim to inclement weather and a poor second half.
"We've got to be able to handle the weather conditions better and it's tough for everybody," Fedderly said. "Gosh, we should be getting used to it now -- I can't remember the last time the sun was out. The big thing is trying to keep our composure in a big game and if something goes wrong to forget about it and just keep playing."
That's the main question surrounding this improved Knights squad -- can they win the big game?
Kaneland is still a junior-dominated team, but Wicinski feels it may be an underrated defense that pushes it over the top.
"It looks like the championship defense they had in '06 and something that (defensive coordinator and former head coach Joe Thorgesen) had when he had state championship teams," Wicinski said. "They're very fast, very aggressive and it's going to be quite a challenge for our offense."
Kaneland is a better team than the one Geneva pasted 42-7 last year, mainly because of the development of quarterback Joe Camiliere and his receivers, and how the Vikings defense handles them will likely determine their chances at a WSC three-peat.
"They're going to complete passes," Wicinski said. "The key is to be able to tackle and not get those yards after the catch. They've got so much talent that they hit little quick screens and outs, and their players are so good athletically that they break tackles and they go. We're very concerned about whether we'll be deep or get up in their face. They're very, very good, so we may change it up here and there."
