Kaneland hangs on to down Geneva

Kaneland's 26-23 victory over Geneva's football team Friday night in Maple Park required a full 4-quarter effort from the Knights.

Literally.

With the Vikings (1-1) less than a yard away from taking their first lead of the night, Kaneland junior defensive lineman Matt Payton shot through a gap and forced a fumble on the game's final play to preserve the nonconference victory for the Knights (2-0).

"It's just a bear-down play - and Kaneland football," said the 6-foot-2, 240-pound Payton. "It's amazing. We've worked all summer every single day, working toward this goal and the hard work paid off. That was a great team we played but we stuck together as a team and family and we pulled it out."

It was the first game between the former Western Sun and Suburban Prairie North Conference rivals since 2009 and marked the Knights' first win over the Vikings since 2003 (35-14).

"There's really not a loser in this kind of a game," said Kaneland coach Tom Fedderly. "It came down to the last play.

"We were really excited to come in and play a great program. We needed that challenge. Win, lose or draw, this was going to be a positive thing for us. Our kids stepped up and made the last play."

Kaneland appeared to have put the game out of reach when junior quarterback Jack Douglas (12 of 25, 185 yards) tossed his fourth touchdown pass of the game - a 36-yard strike to Jonathan Alstott - to make it 26-16 with 4:21 remaining.

"It was a fake screen," said Douglas. "I threw it up and there he was."

However, Geneva answered quickly as sophomore Garret Sneed returned the ensuing kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown and Brad King tacked on the extra point as the Vikings pulled within 26-23 with 4:09 left.

"We had the right personnel in the right place," said Geneva coach Rob Wicinski.

Following a 3-and-out defensive series, the Vikings took over from their own 48 with 3:04 remaining.

From there, senior workhorse tailback Lance Arni (45 carries, 275 yards) had his number called upon 9 straight times - including a 15-yard pass reception.

After the Vikings called their final timeout with 33 seconds left, Arni's 3-yard run moved the ball inside the 1, setting the stage for one hectic final play.

"We were going to kick the field goal and go into overtime but we were one inch away," said Wicinski. "If I go into overtime, I'm 10 yards away. I couldn't ask for a better scenario. We didn't do it - they won.

"What a great atmosphere, what a great game."

Matt Noel (4 receptions, 78 yards) caught a pair of first-half TD passes and Garrett Hukle added a 59-yard TD catch in the third quarter for the Knights.

"There were a lot of big plays," said Fedderly. "I just feel real fortunate coming out of here with a win but our kids deserved it."