St. Charles North meets Geneva in battle of unbeatens
St. Charles North (3-0, 0-0) at Geneva (3-0, 1-0)
Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday
Last week: St. Charles North 62, West Chicago 0; Geneva 55, Streamwood 22
Last year: Geneva 31, St. Charles North 13
Skinny: The Upstate Eight River opener for the North Stars holds title implications for both teams.
This matchup pits perennial playoff qualifier Geneva, which finished second in the UEC River to Batavia the last two seasons, against up-and-coming St. Charles North.
Somewhat under the radar to start the year, the Vikings have again developed into a force after winning their first three games against West Aurora, Richards and Streamwood by a combined 118-56.
The Vikes cracked the Class 7A Associated Press poll this week tied for No. 9. The North Stars received two votes in the same poll.
St. Charles North has beaten Schaumburg, Bartlett and West Chicago by a combined 127-28 and they've looked good doing it. "They've arrived," Geneva coach Rob Wicinski said of third-year coach Rob Pomazak's North Stars, who finished 8-3 last season. "We've been waiting for them, so it'll be interesting. We knew they'd get here. Their bolts are tight, they're really crisp and their quarterback (Zach Mettetal) is nasty. He's going to break us down. I just hope he doesn't do too much damage because we're not going to be able to contain him. And we're giving up serious size up front."
Mettetal has completed 41 of 57 attempts for 638 yards and 8 touchdowns without an interception.
Pomazak called this game "a chance to go against a quality opponent and take the next step."
To take said step, Mettetal and his corps of talented receivers must solve a pressure-minded Geneva defense.
"They're a big group, physical, and they will challenge you on the perimeter because they run some man coverage," Pomazak said. "They're able to play it because they get nice pressure from their front four. Their linebackers are downhill players who will come after you and pressure the quarterback."
Geneva has won 4 of the 5 meetings between these schools since joining the Upstate Eight in 2010.
St. Charles North leads the area with a plus-7 turnover margin; Geneva is plus-3.
Next week: Batavia at St. Charles North; Geneva at Elgin