The time for Geneva’s Tony Chahino has come, and he’s making the most of it.
For the better part of the last two seasons, Chahino backed up standout starter Nate Stempowski for the Vikings, moving to fullback and linebacker last year to get some playing time.
Now, the senior quarterback is calling the signals and making good throws for a resounding aerial attack.
“It’s a great feeling,” Chahino said. “Ever since I first touched a football at 6 years old, I’ve been dreaming of this — playing for the Geneva Vikings under the lights. It’s been a big deal for me.”
Chahino was a big deal Friday night, completing 11 of 17 passes for 282 yards and five touchdowns in leading Geneva to an impressive 41-7 nonconference win over Lemont.
The 6-foot-1, 205-pound Chahino made all the throws for the Vikings (2-0), hooking up with Georgia recruit Talyn Taylor for a wide receiver screen pass on the very first play.
Taylor then made it look easy, juking two defenders to go 52 yards, setting up a 14-yard TD reception that came one play later.
“He’s a tremendous thrower,” Geneva coach Boone Thorgesen said of Chahino. “I’m really proud of the work he’s done in the offseason. He’s taken to the role of quarterbacking our offense and the leadership role that goes with it.
“I was really proud of our line, too. They kept him clean. If you can keep him clean, he’s a talented passer, and we’ve got some staff at the end with talent, too.”’
On his next drive, Chahino threw a long ball on the run, again to Taylor who won a battle for the 50-50 ball in the end zone, 44 yards away.
Taylor finished with six receptions for 174 yards and added a 6-yard TD.
“I’ve been working with Tony ever since middle school,” Taylor said. “We’re best friends on and off the field. He’s a great QB and he gets it done.
“If I’m being honest, I’m not surprised at all. I knew Tony had that talent. He’s always been a good player. There’s just more to come.”
Fellow senior receiver Finnegan Weppner contributed four receptions for 95 yards and a 35-yard TD, while sophomore wideout Bennett Konkey caught Chahino’s fifth TD, covering 13 yards.
Lemont (0-2) trailed 21-7 at halftime but junior defensive back Dane Turner sealed it for Geneva, stopping three straight drives in the third quarter with interceptions to give him four for the season.
“We kept pushing it on third down,” Turner said. “Our defense is coming together. We had a great scheme. I feel like they were coming to me, and that’s because of our defensive line and linebackers getting pressure on the quarterback and he was trying to get rid of the ball.
“Right spot, right time for me, making plays.”
The same is true of Chahino, who completed 6 of 7 passes for 163 yards in only one quarter of play during a season-opening 63-0 win over Larkin.
“I just trust the process,” Chahino said. “It’s been a long journey for me.”
A broken thumb his sophomore year slowed him down, but Chahino has continued working with individual coach Mike Hohensee.
“I’ve always liked just the culture of Geneva football in general,” Chahino said. “Back in the day, we used to be the powerhouse. We used to be the program everyone would talk about. That’s what we’re trying to bring back.
“We’re one big family. We’ve been emphasizing that since last year’s playoff loss to Cary-Grove. That really hit hard because we had high expectations. It brought us a lot closer, and in the offseason we went to work. It’s paying off.”
There’s more to be done, however, according to Taylor.
“We’ve got conference play now, and that’s bigger than what we’ve been doing,” Taylor said. “We have to humble down, lock in and make sure we’re in the classroom, make sure we do all that.”
