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Geneva’s younger siblings get their turn

Brotherly love is alive in Geneva.

At least that’s how Vikings coach Rob Wicinski feels about it. He loves all these younger brothers of former Geneva stars whose time has come to create their own varsity legacy.

“It’s nice when families have multiple brothers,” Wicinski said.

It’d be great if they just magically beamed aboard with vast varsity experience, but the coach is pleased with his youngsters in a program whose overall numbers are higher than he can recall, at around 200.

“Even though we’ve got two returning starters (offensively in All-Upstate Eight River right tackle Connor Chapman and left tackle Jacob Bastin, both college prospects) we’re replacing nine kids so we’ve definitely got growing pains going on,” the coach said. “It’s definitely a process. We’re not near where we’ve been in past years, but that’s not good, bad or indifferent. It’s just a different team.”

Some of the surnames remain the same. At fullback in the Pro-I set, Wicinski hopes to meld Luke Cella and Joe Boenzi, each kid brothers of Vikings past, into a “two-headed monster.”

Tailback Bobby Hess will be a familiar name to Vikings fans, because in 2011 he supported the graduated 1,000-yard rusher Parker Woodworth. More shifty than the tailbacks Geneva’s pounded up the gut over the past winning decade, Hess ran for 505 yards and 6 touchdowns and was a premier kick returner, averaging 30 yards a return with a long of 95 yards.

Thus, Wicinski said the offense may take on a slightly different tint, especially with the two anchors of the line, Bastin and Chapman, both able to seal off the outside.

“Those two guys are going to be a big part of any success we have this year,” Wicinski said.

So too will another legacy, sophomore quarterback Daniel Santacaterina — who will take snaps behind yet another kid brother, center Kyle McNeil. The younger brother of 2009 All-Area honorary captain Michael Santacaterina, a redshirt sophomore linebacker at Northern Illinois (he’s a teammate of last year’s Vikings quarterback, Matt Williams), Daniel has impressed Wicinski with his football smarts.

“And being a Santacaterina, that’s a tough kid,” Wicinski said. “They produce that in that family.”

The coach was concerned whether the sophomore would simply be able to grasp the offense, but he’s seen more than he expected: “He’s going to make plays for us.”

Santacaterina’s targets will include receiver Kevin Curtain, who backed up graduated wideouts Ben Rogers and Tyler Hickey; and new varsity player Pace Temple.

Wicinski said this offense must improve third-down efficiency, but hopes increased athleticism on the defensive side will contain opponents.

“We’ve got to absolutely improve on just our execution,” he said. “We gave up so many big plays at key times. The defense just couldn’t get off the field.”

Defensive tackle Nathan Balettie, who suffered through an injury-plagued 2011 campaign, returns for more at the 1-technique. The other tackle in Geneva’s 4-4 scheme, Jake Boser, made 26 tackles last season, followed closely by senior linebacker Nick Finnberg with 22.

Linebacker Colin Griffin, who despite his own injury problems made 34 tackles to lead all returners and earn all-conference honors, is among a group including defensive back Jeremy Hanson, linebacker Cody Murphy and defensive end Paul Larson that Wicinski said has made “nice steps from junior to senior year.”

The veteran coach often notes with trademark wit that the best thing about juniors is they become seniors. He saluted this group’s worth ethic and commitment. At Geneva this seems transferable from brother to brother, and that’s a good thing.

“We’ve got good quality throughout,” Wicinski said. “We have the players, it’s just a matter of them maturing and executing.”

  Left tackle Jacob Bastin cools off during a break during GenevaÂ’s first day of football practice. Rick West/rwest@dailyherald.com
Rick West/rwest@dailyherald.comPlayers run sprints during Geneva's first day of football practice in LaFox Wednesday.
Rick West/rwest@dailyherald.comCoach Rob Wicinski gets on his players during Geneva High School's first day of football practice in LaFox Wednesday.
Rick West/rwest@dailyherald.comBobby Hess corrals the ball after a handoff during Geneva's first day of football practice in LaFox Wednesday.
Rick West/rwest@dailyherald.comQuarterback Daniel Santacaterina makes a throw during Geneva's first day of football practice in LaFox Wednesday.
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