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Seniors star in Geneva's win over Larkin

In what amounted to a dress rehearsal for the Class 7A playoffs, Geneva put its seniors on display in the annual Senior Night regular-season finale Friday.

Seniors scored all six Geneva touchdowns in a 42-6 Upstate Eight River romp over Larkin, putting the final touches on an 8-1 season (6-1 in conference) that puts the Vikings in the playoffs for the ninth time in the last 10 seasons.

"It worked out well for us," Geneva coach Rob Wicinski said. "I was under a lot of stress in making sure all of the guys got in and things went smoothly.

"We got the seniors off of Burgess Field on a good note tonight," Wicinski added.

Senior running back Max Woodworth scored two touchdowns, while backfield mates Justin Nebel and Liam Burns each scored a touchdown in the first half. Senior wideout Pace Temple pulled in a 25-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Daniel Santacaterina in building a 35-0 halftime lead.

Burns scored the lone Geneva touchdown in the second half on a 9-yard pass from Sean Chambers, but it triggered a running clock for the rest of the half.

Senior Chris Barger got Geneva off on the right foot when he picked off a David Hibbler pass in Larkin territory on the Royals' third play from scrimmage.

It set up a quick Geneva score after Woodworth went over from 2 yards out after his own 23-yard burst up the middle put the ball on the 4-yard line.

On the next possession, Larkin (0-9, 0-7) staged an impressive drive, marching from its own 27-yard line to the Geneva 5-yard line. But the Royals blew a tire when A.J. Hunter dove for the end zone, but fumbled the ball just before crossing the goal line. Geneva's Jason Croci recovered for the touchback.

After that, Temple pulled in a 56-yard pass from Santacaterina (5 of 9 for 116 yards) and Nebel shot through the middle of the Larkin line for a 28-yard touchdown run.

"I think we all played well tonight," said Nebel, who finished with 106 yards on 11 carries. "The line blocked great and there were some big holes. Now, we're excited about the playoffs."

When Burns followed the bruising blocks of John Boenzi and Ben Baker for an 8-yard touchdown run to open the second quarter, the handwriting was on the wall for the Royals' 13th straight loss.

"The circumstances were unique tonight," Larkin coach Dragan Teonic said. "They lined up about 44 seniors, and we have six, and how often do you see anything like that?"

Turnovers and dropped balls, a couple on potential touchdowns, hurt the Royals, Teonic said. "It does not mean that we were going to make it 42-35, but it would have given us some momentum."

Larkin lost starting quarterback Hibbler to an injury, forcing Teonic to put in Chevelle Clements at quarterback for the first time.

Geneva was only slightly sluggish to start the game and was a little rough around the edges in committing 14 penalties for 138 yards. But it was a much-needed victory after Geneva lost its shot at the River Division title in its showdown with Batavia last week.

"We started off a little slow tonight, but it was a different situation with Senior Night, but once we got in that groove, we were rolling," senior linebacker Wyatt Shodeen said.

The Vikings are ready to put their bitter loss to Batavia behind them and concentrate on a solid playoff run, Shodeen said.

"It was one of those games that is going to stick with you and be in the back of your mind," Shodeen said of the 26-20 setback in Batavia. "But no matter what happened in the past, you have to focus on the future."

It is not out of the realm of possibility that Geneva could run into Batavia again in the Class 7A playoffs, though such a potential matchup will be much clearer after the IHSA announces playoff pairings Saturday night.

"I really don't pay much attention to that," Wicinski said of possible playoff brackets. "My assistant coaches know all of the possibilities, so I let them worry about that."

The Class 7A playoffs will be stacked with powerful teams, and Wicinski said his team has to be at its best right away.

"In Class 6A, you may be able to get away with an easier game or two, but not in 7A."

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