Sports
VIDEO UPDATE: Vikings vs. Rock Island
Check out some of the sights and sounds of Friday night's contest at Rock Island in the attached video. The Vikings came back to tie the game three times, but fell 42-28 to a Rock Island powerhouse with a wishbone offense. NEXT UP: Geneva travels t
"Early on, you're never as bad as you think you are, you're never as good as you think you are," Coach Rob Wicinski said after Geneva's 42-28 loss to a powerful Rock Island. "I'm just glad we have some data to work with."
The Vikings won't have to go back to the drawing board. A lot of what they did Friday night, they did well.
Here are some of the positives:
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The first drive was immaculate. The Vikings scored in eight plays and led for the first and only time in the game, 7-0.
The running attack had depth and balance. Connor Quinn (16 carries, 97 yards), Joe Cella (9 carries, 78 yards) and Dylan Nobregas (9 carries, 63 yards) shared the rushing duties. Geneva had about 258 total yards on the ground.
Find out what's happening in Genevawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The passing attack had some success and will get better. In the second quarter, Matt Williams completed a beautiful 52-yard pass to Ben Rogers, which set up Connor Quinn's 6-yard touchdown run that tied the game at 14 in the second quarter. The Vikings have some depth at quarterback, as well. In one series Friday night, Rogers took the snaps and Williams moved to wide receiver. Geneva had 126 passing yards Friday.
The defense made a couple big stops. The Vikings didn't force any turnovers, but Geneva's defense had a tough test Friday and made some plays. Probably the biggest was when Nick Caruso (6-3, 210 linebacker) stopped Nikko Watson on third-and-9 and forced the Rocks to punt.
At that point, the Vikings had the ball at the 16-yard line with their first chance to take back the lead since the opening drive. Unfortunately, the Viking followed with a three-and-out. Wicinski said that series might have been the turning point.
Special teams were solid. The Vikings had some excellent kickoff returns and good field position. A few not-so-successful squib kicks returned the favor to Rock Island.
The Vikings showed some discipline. I don't have any statistical evidence, but it was a cleanly played game by both teams. Geneva had a 5-yard offsides penalty at the goal line, but Quinn just ran it in from the 6.
The team has heart. Geneva came back to tie the game three times. Probably the most exciting series was at the end of the first half, when Geneva marched 47 yards in 40 seconds to tie it at 21.
Next up for Geneva is Morgan Park, another very tough team with playoff ambitions. The game is Saturday, Sept. 4, at Gately Stadium.
"Morgan Park, they're going to be a bear," Wicinski said. "We played them last year, and they're talking about another chance at a state championship."
