By Keith Brake
Geneseo Current
Leafs have incentive to beat the Rocks
Well, the football game against Quincy is as far away as it will ever be.
But, if the Maple Leafs are to make a run at Quincy and others in the Western Big Six next season, how they finish the current season will have major impact.
An improving Rock Island team comes to Bob Reade Field for Senior Night on Friday. Coach Larry Johnsen Jr. hopes his team learned from Quincy's 35-7 win last Friday – and flushed it.
Did Rock Island's 14-7 win over Sterling last week draw attention?
“It sure did,” the Leaf coach said.
Rock Island struggled this year, until putting things together the last three games. The Rocks beat United Township, lost to Galesburg, then beat the Golden Warriors.
An improved defense is what did it for the Rocks, Johnsen said.
“It's the way they've changed their mentality,” Geneseo's coach said.
The Rocks have put in a stunt and blitz package, similar in style to Quincy's. A big difference: The Rocks don't have three huge defenders up front like Quincy. And, Rock Island players are still learning the scheme.
One thing is sure: The Rocks are fast, and that shows up especially on the offensive side of the ball.
With a win, Geneseo would finish with a 7-2 record and Johnsen believes that could secure a home opener in the playoffs. Just the thought of something like last year's trip to Carterville should be incentive enough for the Leafs to play like their hair is on fire.
“Playing for a home playoff game is a big huge deal,” Johnsen said. “We need to get back to firing on all cylinders.”
That means this year's team, in the wake of Friday's loss, and Geneseo's program in general. Coming up next week will be Geneseo's 43rd playoff appearance in the post-season series' 50-year history.
Sure, every Leafs player, coach and fan wanted to win the WB6 championship. We are sure to remember the first one, when it comes.
But does every Leaf fan remember Geneseo's conference finish in all 42 of those playoff years? We're the Green Machine. Playoffs are what we do, right?
Right now, we're in a league that features a top-10 ranked Class 7A champion.
“Quincy is a nice team,” Johnsen said. “It has guys who can really move out in space.”
Not to mention the Blue Devils are a young team and will return four of its top six skill players.
Jackson Reade got the Leafs off to a stunning start with a great 97-yard touchdown return of the opening kickoff.
Geneseo accomplished some goals in this game. One, the Leafs ran more offensive plays, 57 to 42.
But Quincy had a 471 to 185 lead in total yardage.
“We would have had to double the number of their snaps,” Johnsen said. “They're just so explosive.”
A goal Quincy denied: A score at the end of each Geneseo possession.
Quincy scores so quickly that its defensive unit is on the field a lot. They don't waste time. They learn and improve.
The Leafs rushed for 121 yards, with Jeron Neal netting 70 yards on 24 carries. “We did gain yards at times,” Johnsen said. But at other times, Quincy's stunters and blitzers closed any momentary gaps.
Quarterback Bradyn Little completed 21-of-24 passes for 250 yards and three touchdowns. Running back Jeraius Rice Jr. - and he's a piece of quality work – rushed 13 times for 205 yards and two scores, and caught a touchdown pass.
“We did play better in the second half,” Johnsen said.
Quincy outscored Geneseo just 7-0 after intermission. Quincy lost two fumbles to the Leafs, but also stopped Geneseo on downs twice.
“The second half we played was something we can build on,” said Geneseo's coach. “We've got work in front of us. It's Senior Night, and it's a key home game for these guys.”