They’re living the dream.
The significance is not lost on Batavia coach Dennis Piron, who along with Geneva’s Boone Thorgesen will be taking the neighboring schools’ longstanding rivalry to a new level this weekend.
Both DuKane Conference teams, who have played 106 times in a 112-year-old rivalry, have qualified for state championship games in their respective classes.
“We’ve had to deal with (Geneva), obviously, for years and years,” said Piron, whose team trails the series 52-49-5 after losing this year for the first time in 14 seasons with a 30-7 decision.
“Here we are now, actually going downstate with the Vikings, our neighbors to the north and conference foes. It does speak well for our league.”
Geneva (12-1) will play at 1 p.m. Saturday against East St. Louis (12-1) for the Class 6A state title at Hancock Stadium in Normal, followed by Batavia (12-1) taking on Mount Carmel (10-3) at 4 p.m. in the Class 7A final.
Such achievements aren’t taken lightly.
“We have seven alums who are members of my staff and two of them played the last time Geneva played in the title game in 2008, also against East St. Louis,” Thorgesen said. “We’ll have them speak to the kids. You have to remember that history.”
It’s the third trip to a state final without a title for Geneva. The team gets great community support, including the program’s flag flying at City Hall and being lit up at night in blue, the school’s color.
This is the fifth trip to the final for Batavia. Piron was an assistant the first time at state, one of two runner-up finishes. He was head coach for the others, including state titles in 2013 and 2017.
His team, likewise, enjoys tremendous community support that will include a Thanksgiving morning practice. His staff also is dotted with local graduates giving back.
Piron was asked during a statewide teleconference if this trip was expected.
“You don’t expect it,” he said. “I don’t appreciate it any less than the other times. Just to get there once would have been enough for me, and here we are for our fifth time.
“That’s just nuts. I’m blabbing a lot. It’s very emotional, very cool.”
With the teams playing back to back …
Do you think there’s any chance the red-clad Batavia fans will come early to cheer for their rivals and will blue-attired Geneva fans stick around for a doubleheader to share their support?
I didn’t go there with the coaches.
Both have more than enough on their plates, preparing for opponents who are considered definite favorites by most observers.
Catch them if you can
East St. Louis boasts plenty of speed as usual and is battle-tested, with a 34-7 win over Class 8A finalist Loyola, three shutouts in four playoff blowout wins and a 2-1 record against teams from out of state. A 14-13 loss to national power IMG Academy of Florida is the lone setback.
The Flyers have three players on defense with 100 or more tackles, led by 6-foot-2, 245-pound linebacker Ke’Andre McClendon with 157 tackles and 12 sacks.
Protecting senior quarterback Tony Chahino, who directs a passing attack that’s the real deal, will be key so Georgia recruit Talyn Taylor and a standout group of receivers can make a difference.
The Vikings have had four successful onside kicks in the last three playoff wins.
Can they do it again?
“I think it’s the most unbelievable run of special teams plays I’ve ever seen,” said Joe Thorgesen, Kaneland’s former coach and Boone’s dad.
Joe Thorgesen led the Knights to two straight state titles with his son as a ball boy on the sidelines and continues to coach running backs at Aurora University.
A real quarterback caper
Here they go again. Mount Carmel has taken out the Bulldogs in the playoffs each of the past three seasons — in the second round, championship game and semifinals, respectively.
The Caravan, who have 15 state titles, play a challenging schedule and are getting better while getting healthy. Senior quarterback Jack Elliott, a Vanderbilt recruit, hurts foes both running and throwing.
Hopefully, Batavia gets out to a strong start and avoids having to make another comeback. Their quarterback platoon of junior Bodi Anderson and sophomore Michael Vander Luitgaren will face a stern test.
