River rivals Batavia, Geneva set for key conference test

Batavia (6-1, 4-0) at Geneva (7-0, 4-0)

Upstate Eight (River)

Game time: 7:30 p.m. Friday

Last week: Batavia 49, Elgin 0; Geneva 39, Glenbard East 21

Last year: Batavia 26, Geneva 20

Outlook: Once again, the Upstate Eight River title comes down to Geneva vs. Batavia. Last year the Bulldogs won their fourth straight in the series by forcing 6 turnovers in a 26-20 victory. The Vikings still lead the all-time series 51-40-5. Each team boasts a standout running back averaging 5.4 yards per carry. Geneva senior Justin Taormina has carried 170 times for 917 yards and 10 touchdowns. Batavia senior Zach Garrett has rushed for 696 yards and 13 touchdowns in 128 attempts. Princeton recruit Sean Chambers triggers a Geneva offense that averages 378 total yards and 38.7 points per game. Chambers has completed 89 of 163 attempts (55.6 percent) for 1,215 yards and 17 touchdowns with only 2 interceptions, and has rushed 51 times for 185 yards. "They took maybe their best football player and made him their quarterback," Batavia coach Dennis Piron said of Chambers. "He could probably start at eight or nine positions in their program. And Taormina looks great on film. He has a lot of quickness and they have receivers who can go get it." Batavia quarterback Kyle Niemiec directs an attack that averages 393 yards and 37 points. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound senior has completed 118 of 178 of his passes (66.3 percent) for 1,502 yards and 11 touchdowns against 3 interceptions and has rushed 40 times for 181 yards and 6 touchdowns. "Their quarterback has really gotten better," Geneva coach Rob Wicinski said. "He's experienced and he plays with a lot more swag than last year. He takes off and runs and that cause defenses trouble."

Next week: Batavia at Streamwood (3-4); Geneva at Larkin (0-7)