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Batavia blows out Simeon

So much for the Class 7A playoffs being a thorn in Batavia's side. So far everything is coming up roses.

A week after a 56-7 win over Pekin, Batavia traveled to Gately Stadium in Chicago and dominated Simeon, winning 35-14 in a game the Bulldogs led 14-0 after two minutes.

Kyle Niemiec threw four touchdowns, three of them to tight end Glenn Albanese, and ran for another. Batavia (10-1) advances to a quarterfinal matchup next week against either Cary-Grove or Benet.

"We're a team that just wants to play football no matter where we're at," Niemiec said of winning on the south side of Chicago. "Who cares where we're playing? We're playing the game we love. They are fast, they are full of athletes and they showed it out here."

The rout began on the first play from scrimmage. Niemiec took a hit but stayed in the pocket and threw deep to Canaan Coffey who made the catch and went 68 yards for a 7-0 lead just 18 seconds into the game.

"That's a momentum-changer," Niemiec said. "All the momentum was on our side at the beginning. It's unbelievable to have a player like Canann to throw to."

Batavia quickly made it 14-0 when Albanese caught the first of his touchdowns, all of them coming when the 6-foot-5 junior found a seem wide open in the middle of the field.

"We practiced it all week long," said Albanese, who nearly doubled his season total to 7 touchdowns. "Our coaches are so good at that stuff. They watch hundreds of hours of scouting. We practice these plays every day and come out and it's literally exactly how we planned. It's almost tough to lose a game when your coaches are that good."

Simeon held Batavia for the next 19 minutes until Niemiec and Albanese connected again, this time a 16-yard touchdown with 3:05 left in the second quarter for a 21-0 halftime lead.

Batavia's defense limited Simeon to 4 first downs in the first half. Tyler Holl, who came up with a pooch kick in the second half. recovered a fumble to halt a drive.

"I thought our secondary did a great job in coverage," Batavia coach Dennis Piron said. "Those guys are lightning fast out there. Incredible job by the defense."

Simeon finally got on the board with 9 minutes left in the third quarter, capitalizing on a 7-yard Bulldog punt. Batavia played the second half without its normal punter Coffey, who was held out as a precaution after coming up a little woozy while making 5 catches for 108 yards in the first half.

"Canaan got a little dinged up. You have to be careful nowadays," Piron said. "I think he's going to be fine for next week."

Simeon (8-3) took the momentum at a couple different points in the second half. Each time Batavia answered with a key play to regain it.

Niemiec made several of those including a 17-yard scramble on a 4th-and-11 play. That kept a drive alive that ended with the third Albanese touchdown reception.

Brett Bowman made another, intercepting a pass in the fourth quarter after Simeon had cut Batavia's lead to 28-14 and was driving trying to make it a one-score game.

Niemiec did the rest, running 30 yards for a touchdown and 35-14 lead with 6:53 remaining. That capped a big day for the senior quarterback who led Batavia in rushing with 112 yards on 16 carries to go with 15-of-29 passing for 236 yards and the 4 TDs.

Simeon was its own worst enemy much of the game, dropping a couple long passes and committing 14 penalties. Batavia had 8 of its own in a game that lasted 3 hours and 15 minutes - the Bulldogs enjoying every one as they march into the 7A quarterfinals.

"We were pretty aggressive right from the get-go and it paid big dividends for us," Piron said. "It helped us gain some composure and confidence. It's kind of a tough environment to play. I'm very proud of this victory."

Images: Batavia tops Simeon, 35-14 in football

  Batavia's Glenn Albanese (88) celebrates a touchdown with teammates Zach Sims (59) and Ross Berggren (79) Friday at Gately Stadium in Chicago. Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
  Batavia's Zach Garrett, (33) looks for running room Friday against Simeon at Gately Stadium in Chicago. Simeon's Damani Reed (2) and Antonio Crosby (5) try to wrap Garrett up. Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
  Batavia's Kyle Niemiec, (19) rolls out of the pocket looking for an open teammate Friday against Simeon at Gately Stadium in Chicago. Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
  Batavia's Kyle Niemiec, (19) gets a few extra yards as Simeon's Malik Holcomb (6) wraps him up Friday during football at Gately Stadium in Chicago. Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
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