Looking back at Batavia’s unforgetable year
DeKALB — Included among the thousands of Batavia fans at Northern Illinois’ Huskie Stadium for the Class 6A state championship Saturday were a number of the next generation of Bulldogs from Batavia’s youth football program.
Batavia quarterback Micah Coffey remembered well what those little Bulldogs were thinking. Back in 2006 he was a fifth-grader at Memorial Stadium in Champaign watching Batavia lose to Normal Community in the state championship game.
“It was one of those things where we got there, we took pride in getting there and playing a great game down there and I was so proud of my big brother for the way he played down there,” Coffey said of his oldest brother Jordan who threw 2 TDs in the loss.
“There was always some sadness (with the loss) but there was also a lot of us were thinking that day, ‘Hey, maybe we could be that team (to win state)’. As seniors to be able to bring it home is amazing.”
Batavia coach Dennis Piron’s son Peyton, a junior wide receiver on the Bulldogs, also was in the stands that day in Champaign.
“When we were at the state game in 2006 and he was a little boy he was so distraught about losing the game,” Dennis Piron said. “I remember my son saying my class when we are playing gets a chance to be the first class to win a state title. To have my son on a state championship team first in the history of Batavia is truly an honor for him and our family. These guys are so good to him, so nice to my son.”
Record-setter: With 189 yards rushing and 3 touchdowns Saturday in Batavia’s 34-14 win over Richards, Anthony Scaccia’s record-setting season finished with 1,913 rushing yards and 28 touchdowns (and another 7 receiving).
Piron said Scaccia played with basically one arm Saturday after suffering an infection to his right arm the previous week while carrying 41 times against Rockford Boylan.
“Scaccia is one of the best football players I’ve ever seen,” Coffey said. “The way he makes people miss and turns nothing into a touchdown.”
Scaccia said he came into this year with even more motivation following last year’s first-round playoff upset loss to Downers Grove North.
“I was devastated last year,” Scaccia said. “Just the thought we weren’t good enough to compete with the best teams, that was the worst feeling. This year to know we can compete with anyone in the state is the best feeling.
“I worked very hard off-season. I’m not going to say this is a surprise. After all this work paying off it feels amazing.”
Listed at 5-feet-7 and 150 pounds, Scaccia hasn’t had colleges beating down his door despite his record-breaking numbers.
Scaccia said he has scheduled his first college visit to Drake.
“I can’t tell them to come recruit me. I just have to prove it all on the field and hopefully they will respect my game,” Scaccia said. “I can’t grow 5 inches but I can make plays.”
High praise: While Scaccia and Michael Moffatt both earned all-State honors, Piron couldn’t believe Coffey didn’t join them.
Coffey completed 15 of 18 passes for 229 yards and 2 touchdowns Saturday.
That brought his season totals to 2,466 yards and 29 TDs.
“For him not to be an all-state quarterback is ludicrous,” Piron said. “What leadership. You want him to lead you into battle and he does every single week.”
Piron offered similar praise to linebacker Anthony Thielk, a three-year starter who will leave some big shoes to fill.
“In playoffs maybe the best linebacker in Illinois,” Piron said. “He’s an unbelievable football player. These guys have some special talent.”
In good hands: While crediting offensive coordinator Mike Gaspari Saturday, Piron also made sure to single out the man in charge on the other side of the ball, Matt Holm. When Piron took over for Gaspari three years ago, Holm stepped into Piron’s defensive coordinator role.
Three years later Batavia just completed a 34-3 stretch with the Class 6A state championship.
“Matt has taken our defense to a whole new level,” Piron said. “We fly around, we fly to the ball, we play smart, we play hard. The two coordinators we have are just special.”
Party like it’s 1996: Batavia’s first playoff win came in 1996, not 1998 as listed in Sunday’s Daily Herald.
Proud coach: Piron said however much success his kids have on the field, it is off the field that matters more.
“I feel an extraordinary responsibility to this community,” Piron said. “I want to do right by them. I hope the boys impress you. We want them to be the right type of kids. Well spoken, respectful, look you in the eye.”