GAME DAY: Will Geneva Need 2 Onside Kicks to Beat St. Charles East?

The Vikings recovered two onside kicks in a . Will they need some more risky payoffs to beat St. Charles East?

Hopefully not. But I have to mention it because I wanted to get this post-game interview with Coach Rob Wicinski up there somehow, and I took too long to post it after the game last week.

I'm also worried this week because, well, that's what I do. It's part of my pre-game routine, and I figure it allows other folks the luxury of actually focusing on winning.

For the record, here are five reasons I'm worried.

1. Weather

Tut tut, it looks like rain. Coach Rob Wicinski says his players like it in the mud, and we might get a chance to test that theory tonight. The National Weather Service-Chicago says, "Tonight: Occasional showers. Low around 59. Northeast wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80 percent."

2. Tradition / history / rivalry

There's pleny of rivalry between Geneva and St. Charles East, which is the original St. Charles High School. Plus STC East's head coach, Mike Fields, is a former Geneva assistant coach, so there's all kinds of motivation for the Saints, including an 0-2 start.

3. Ranking

Wheaton North was ranked 16th in Mike Helfgot's Week 2 Tribune rankings. Now Geneva has snuck in at No. 19 in Mike Helfgot's Week 3 Tribune rankings. I hate it when that happens.

4. Turnovers

Did I mention that Geneva recovered two onside kicks last week? So far, and I shouldn't even say this, I think Geneva might be fumble-free this young season.

5. Anchors away

And I shouldn't mention this, either, but Geneva has a super record at home. The Vikings have lost something like three games at Burgess Field in the past seven years. All three of last year's losses were away. (And, just for future reference, on artificial turf.)

What St. Charles East did last week

The Saints lost 20-7 to West Aurora. 

"To give contemporary players some perspective, the rivalry between the Saints and the Vikings was every bit as intense as the Batavia rivalry is today. Always respectful, and always passionate.

"In the halcyon days of the '60s and '70s, it was the Little Seven against the Upstate Eight. David vs. Goliath.

"David has grown up, and Goliath has split like an amoeba ... Tonight's contest should be something special."

It was a must-win game for two 0-2 football teams, and Geneva came out on top 30-20 at Burgess Field, coming from behind with a fourth-quarter aerial rally that turned a 20-10 deficit into a 30-20 heart-pumping, adrenaline-rush win.

"Now we're officially in the Upstate Eight," coach Rob Wicinski said after that game. "I'm really proud of the way they did it, too. You know, chasing 10 points, we could have really collapsed."

Let's hope there no chasing tonight.

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