FINAL: Batavia 42, Glenbard North 41

All week Glenbard North was ranked higher than Batavia. Critics said Batavia would take a loss, but it would be hard fought.

They were only half right.

The Bulldogs held on and emerged victorious 42-41 against the Glenbard North Panthers. Batavia opened its season in Carol Stream in what turned out to be a late-night matchup.

The Bulldogs won it with great offense and a late goal-line stop, when Glenbard North decided to go for the win with a 2-point conversion.

"It was an incredible high-school game," said Dennis Piron, entering his second year as Batavia's head football coach. "It could have gone either way, but our kids hung in there and battled it out."

This was the Batavia's , but the first under a new era. With , the Bulldogs updated a formidable roster that still includes the likes of senior wide receiver Zach Strittmatter and senior offensive tackle Sebastian Vermaas, now joined by the likes of junior running back Anthony Scaccia.

Stepping into the starting quarterback role tonight was junior Micah Coffey. Coffey had four touchdown passes and a rushing touchdown. These TDs made the difference as Batavia advanced in the game.

Gameplay

A 62-yard touchdown pass gave Batavia the lead with 19-14 with about 4 minutes left in the first half. But Panthers running back Justin Jackson wouldn't be denied, eventually going for four touchdowns. At halftime, Batavia was on the short end of the stick with a 21-19 score.

Coffey's third touchdown pass would come at 3:56 left in the third quarter. The five-yard pass put Batavia in the lead at 35-28.

The intensity continued into the final minutes of the game. With the score settling at 42-35 Batavia with about two minutes left, the Panthers were able to narrow the gap with a touchdown that took it to 42-41.

The Panthers attempted a two-point conversion, but they were rejected at the goal line by a fierce Bulldog defense.

Injury Report: Calf Cramps

Piron said the players suffering from cramps will likely be OK by Monday.

"I feel real good about the team this season and I think we'll have a lot of fun this year," Piron said. "We've got good boys in Batavia, that's all I can say."

Who's Next?

The Bulldogs take on Plainfield East at on Friday, Aug. 31 at 7:30 p.m. They play the Geneva Vikings in the third week of the season and the opener for the Upstate Eight River Division play.

BATV and Ed DeMask contributed to this report. Thanks for your help and thank you to Kellie Knox for the game photos!