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Geneva stuns St. Charles North with last-second TD

Geneva coach Rob Wicinski said he can relate to what Rob Pomazak is building at St. Charles North, how the up-and-coming North Stars need that one breakthrough win and they will be "off and chugging."

The North Stars were 29 seconds away from one such victory Saturday at Burgess Field in Geneva, but Wicinski's Vikings - especially quarterback Sean Chambers - had other ideas.

Chambers marched Geneva 75 yards in the final three minutes, converting a game-saving 4th-and-10 pass to Jack Wassel moments before delivering a 15-yard touchdown strike to a diving Ryan Skibinski for a 42-41 victory that was as exhilarating for the Vikings as it was heartbreaking for the North Stars.

"We kept telling the kids, they feel it's their time, now it's up to you if it's their time or your time," Wicinski said. "I know where he's at. He's right at the point where he's got to get 'that' win. You get that win and oh my gosh you are chugging."

Chambers shook off 2 interceptions by Brendan Joyce to complete 17 of 33 passes for 296 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also rushed for 59 yards and continually kept the chains moving by converting 10 of 16 third downs and 2 of 3 on fourth.

None was bigger than his strike to Wassel on a curl pattern with a minute remaining, giving Geneva a first down at the North Stars' 26. Justin Taormina completed his grueling 34-carry, 147-yard day by running for a first down to the 15-yard line, and after a deflected pass was nearly intercepted, Chambers found Skibinski on a slant; Brendan Hines' sixth straight PAT gave Geneva a 42-41 lead.

"Coach said all week whoever wins this game is the team who makes the last play," Chambers said. "He knew North is a fantastic team. We ended up making the last play and winning the game. This is probably the most fun I've ever had in my life playing this game."

St. Charles North (3-1, 1-1 in the Upstate Eight Conference River) played from behind nearly the entire game, spotting Geneva (4-0, 2-0) a quick 14-0 lead.

Led by quarterback Zach Mettetal, who ran for one touchdown and threw three more, the North Stars did battle back, tying the game at 14, 21, 28 and 35 before finally taking their first lead on Eric Lins' 80-yard touchdown run with 3:16 remaining.

Geneva senior Griffin Bellano made what turned out to be a decisive play on the ensuing extra point attempt, breaking free to block the kick and keeping the North Stars' lead at 41-35.

"They had not been blocking me the whole day," Bellano said. "I tried to get a push on them and it worked in the end. This was a difficult game and that was a tough team and it feels good to help out."

Bellano then helped out again on the North Stars' final drive, intercepting a pass on Geneva's 40-yard line on the last play of the game to seal the win.

Wassel caught 7 passes for 165 yards and 2 touchdowns and Skibinski hauled in 6 passes for 68 yards as Geneva totaled 525 yards of offense - and needed every one against an equally dynamic North Star attack.

"We had to do everything quick," Skibinski said of the last drive. "Before the drive we were just saying, 'It's our last drive, if we want to make it happen it has to be now.' Huge win for us. It's giving us momentum into the rest of the season."

Nicholas Schmook added a 61-yard fumble return for the Vikings which gave them a 14-0 lead. The North Stars tied the score at 21 when Mettetal lofted a 30-yard touchdown pass to his brother Tyler before Geneva took a 28-21 halftime lead on a 10-yard touchdown reception by Zeke Buck with just 8 seconds left in the second quarter.

The North Stars struck quickly in the third quarter on touchdown passes to Kyle Novotney and Griffin Hammer, tying the game at 35 going to the fourth quarter.

Lins ran for 150 yards and 2 touchdowns on just 8 carries, Zach Mettetal threw for 291 yards, spreading his completions to Novotney (6 catches, 90 yards), Tyler Mettetal (5-71) and Hammer (4-97).

"The kids fought, offensively the kids did a great job," Pomazak said. "Defensively we could not stop them. You can't win when you give up 42 points. I blame myself for not preparing ourselves well enough to win the game. Our defense didn't do anything to keep us in the ballgame. I take 100 percent responsibility for this loss. I did not prepare my defense well enough to win the game."

Images: Geneva vs. St. Charles North, football

  Geneva wideout Jack Wassel makes one of his 7 catches against St. Charles North as Eric Lins defends. Wassel and Lins both scored 2 touchdowns in the Vikings' wild 42-41 win. Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
  St. Charles North's Eric Lins (6) and Jayson Reckards (4) celebrate a touchdown Saturday during the St. Charles North at Geneva football game. Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
  Geneva running back Justin Taormina (5) goes in for a touchdown Saturday during the St. Charles North at Geneva football game. Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
  Geneva defensive lineman Nicholas Schmook (66) returns a fumble for a touchdown Saturday during the St. Charles North at Geneva football game. Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.comGeneva defensive back Alec Keating (37)reels in an interception in front of St. Charles North's Kyle Novotney (10) Saturday during the St. Charles North at Geneva football game.
  St. Charles North's Tyler Mettetal (11) pulls in a touchdown pass over Geneva defensive back Alec Keating (37) Saturday during the St. Charles North at Geneva football game. Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
  Geneva's Sean Chambers (1) gets some extra yards as St. Charles North's Liam Kelly (37) comes in for the tackle Saturday during the St. Charles North at Geneva football game. Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
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