Geneseo knocks out Wheaton Academy
GENESEO - No question Wheaton Academy raised its racing level in 2015, but Saturday's Class 4A playoff opener proved Geneseo's vaunted "Green Machine" still has too much horsepower.
The hosts cruised to a 42-13 victory.
"Last year we were 5-4 and ranked 257 with only 256 schools making the playoffs," Wheaton Academy coach Brad Thornton said. "Our seniors set a goal of not leaving (our fate) up to something like playoff points. For the first time since 2009, they proved we belonged in the postseason race."
Unfortunately for the Warriors (6-4), Geneseo's 39th playoff appearance leads the state, and the Maple Leafs (9-1) are far too efficient with their Wing-T offense; seven ball carriers ground out 486 yards while regular Quinn Singbush sat out resting a hamstring.
After a three-and-out by the No. 13 seed Warriors, No. 4 Geneseo used four plays to cover 46 yards with Jordan Jackson breaking off a 34-yard run prior to the last four with 9:14 left in the first quarter. Wheaton Academy gained a first down, but then turned the ball over and the Maple Leafs used seven plays to cover 51 yards capped by Devin Haxby's 14-yard TD run.
Wheaton Academy quarterback David Thrasher had 4 completions on a 9-play, 68-yard drive. He found Steven Sellers for the final 6 yards to make it 14-7 with 10:18 left in the second quarter.
"Their linebacker didn't always shift over so I told (Thrasher) to look for me. I was a little surprised to be that open, so my first thought was don't drop it, and the second one was don't slip since (the grass) was pretty slippery," Sellers said.
"Even with the linebacker mixed up, I didn't expect him to be that wide open. Credit Steve for finding the space, catching it and running it in," Thrasher added.
Unfortunately for the Warriors, the hosts needed just more than a minute to score again. Poor tackling allowed Jackson to break away for a 32-yarder and the 14-point halftime edge.
Hoping to put a mix of drops, untimely penalties and uncompleted tackles behind them, the Warriors opened the third quarter forcing Geneseo to punt. Thrasher connected with Harrison Taylor for 19 yards and a Maple Leafs roughing the passer penalty helped maintain a drive that had Wheaton Academy first-and-10 at the Geneseo 16. But a minus rush and an incompletion were followed by a Gunner Gaines interception for the Maple Leafs.
"That's a very good Geneseo team and they've been here before an know not to panic," Thornton said. "We were pressing to execute, but instead of making it 21-14, interception them; a prime example of hurting ourselves. Definitely like to have that one back."
Instead Geneseo's got loose for a 58-yard score making it 28-7 with 6:58 left in the third. Wheaton Academy's Sellers pulled off a fake punt and connected with Luke Manske for a 14-yard pass and first down, but that drive stalled at midfield. Another Maple Leafs interception was followed by a drive that culminated with the first play of the fourth quarter, Cade Humphries' 5-yard rush to make it 42-7.
Wheaton Academy's Kordell Bowling recovered a fumble and the Warriors put together a 14-play, 90-yard drive with Thrasher carrying in from 3 yards out. However, the kick failed.
"Give credit to the offensive line, I wasn't touched at all on that one and we really wanted to punch that one in," Thrasher said. "I'm proud of how we never quit. It still feels terrific to be in the playoffs, and honestly it's not just us. Our coaches are great men of character and they helped us achieve a season to remember."
"Getting here was a goal from the start," Sellers added. "I believe as seniors we've set the bar for years to come. But there's a good freshman class coming up and Wheaton Academy will be back."
"Earning a playoff berth means a ton to us, the coaches and the program," senior lineman David McDonnell said. "We played hard against a really good team and the score says there are things we could've done better. But I can't emphasize enough how proud the coaches and we are of the year and the brotherhood we experienced."