By Keith Brake
Geneseo Current

Leafs Want to Rekindle Sterling Rivalry

Sterling: An old and respected opponent. But a rival?

“We told the guys after we beat Galesburg last Friday that it's not a rivalry if only one team is winning,” said Geneseo Coach Larry Johnsen Jr.

Sterling has won its last 8 games against Geneseo, including the last three by shutouts.

“The games haven't been close,” Johnsen said. “To us, that's a big deal.”

But don't expect this 5-0 Geneseo team to come out foaming at the mouth about beating Sterling. The Leafs will have their ears back, though. That's the kind of dog you worry about before a fight.

“I'm not ready for Friday,” Johnsen said early this week. “We have got a lot to get done. But we are excited for the challenge.”

Johnsen said Sterling “makes you uncomfortable by taking away things you most like to do.”

On defense, that has meant Sterling playing single man coverage in the secondary, and attacking the Leafs with stunts and blitzes.

The Warriors have gotten to Geneseo's point of attack ahead of the Leafs, sometimes, and messed up the running game. “They've been like sharks attacking,” Johnsen said.

“They have good athletes on defense who can run in space and make plays,” said Geneseo's coach.

On offense, the Warriors are “fundamentally sound, with a system that they repeat and repeat,” Johnsen said.

It's the Sterling version of the wing-T and it works.

“Their quarterback is really fast,” Johnsen said. “And they've got a down lineman who is a Power 5 prospect.”

Lucas Austin is the 6-7, 255-pound lineman. Offensively, the quarterback has averaged 94 yards and 4.6 per carry in two conference games, and has completed 16-of-26 passes for 174 yards and three touchdowns.

Sterling lost its first two games, 28-17 to tradition-rich Metamora, (now 3-2) and 42-28 to a strong Wheaton St. Francis team (3-2).

In league play, the Golden Warriors were 23-19 winners over United Township and 45-14 over Galesburg.

Then last week, Sterling played an interesting “crossover” game at another former NCIC school, Princeton, which started the season as the top-rated team in Class 3A.

Princeton led 8-6 at halftime, and wound up winning 28-6. “Princeton has a very nice, physical team,” Johnsen said.

It's no secret that this is one of the more physical teams Geneseo has had in a while.

But, you've got to mix skills with quickness and brawn. Are the Leafs better-equipped to handle Sterling's blend than in recent years?

“We'll see,” Johnson said.

Johnsen's keys to bringing down Sterling:

“Penalties affected us Friday against Galesburg,” he said. “We can't afford to be behind the chains.”

“We have to be prepared for their blitzes and pick them up,” Geneseo's coach said. “They'll show you a lot of second-level movement and you have to pick it up.”

“And, we need to get their offense off the field,” Johnsen said.

That doesn't sound like a difficult formula.

“No, but it can be against a good team,” said Geneseo's coach. “Video might tell you one thing, but it can be altogether different when you go against it live. You can't replicate an opponent's speed or quickness in practice.”

Geneseo running back Jeron Neal and quarterback AJ Weller ranked first and third, respectively, in WB6 rushing after the first two league games. Neal was averaging 131 yards per game and 9.4 per carry. Weller was at 120 yards per game and 8.2 carry.

That sounds like something out of the '60s or '70s.

Speaking about time gone by, this has been Geneseo's homecoming week and Friday is Hall of Fame Night at Bob Reade Field.

There's a lot riding on this game.

Expect a tsunami of sound!