By Keith Brake
Geneseo Current
Leafs preparing to battle WB6 champs
An ancient axiom of football states that teams show their most improvement from week one to week two.
Because of the way things have started out this season, Geneseo Coach Larry Johnsen Jr. thinks that might wind up being said about his Maple Leafs about the span between weeks two and three.
And it would be good, because the Leafs are going to Browning Field in Moline on Friday to face the defending WB6 champions.
The Leafs established their physicality early in their 27-7 win over Grayslake Central, and pretty much kept it.
Geneseo led 13-7 at halftime, “then we seemed to shift into neutral for a while,” Johnsen said.
The Rams went on a long third quarter drive, “which is something we don't like to see done against us, because it's usually what we do to other teams,” the coach said.
The Rams had success from their running formation, but then shifted into their shotgun passing scheme after moving into Geneseo territory.
“They lined up and came right at us,” Johnsen said, “but finally we got the big stop.”
“We missed a big tackle for loss, then there were some penalties involved,” Johnsen said.
Geneseo quarterback AJ Weller came up with the game-breaker with his 80-yard touchdown run.
“This game was a big confidence-builder for our guys,” Johnsen said. “We showed some improvements from the first game (a 56-0 win over Chicago Comer).”
“We got the momentum back after shifting into neutral,” Johnsen said. “Our defense had to make some plays. We had to play four quarters and that was good for us.”
“But we have to get better. While showing improvement, we also saw a lot to do.”
Now comes Moline. Graduation hit the Maroons hard, “but they're the biggest school in our conference,” Johnsen pointed out. That should translate into big, fast and strong kids, he said.
Lisle Benet Academy really got into Moline's grill work during a 38-7 pounding of the Marroons last Friday at Browning.
Benet's head coach wanted especially to keep a lid on Moline's speed. Mission accomplished there. Moline rushed for 159 yards and passed for 13 in the contest. Running back Adrian Cooper, a 6-1, 200-pound junior who started last year, gained 111 yards on 11 carries and scored on a 17-yard run in the first quarter.
Benet had 234 yards of total offense in the first half alone.
Johnsen, though, expects Moline's defense to be better than the one the Leafs faced against Grayslake Central.
Johnsen said the Leafs have a physical running game, “but we need to clean up some things,” he said.
Quarterback AJ Weller's speed and ability to read defenses and make quick decisions are paying dividends for the Leafs offense. “He's a good athlete, very competitive,” Johnsen said. “And he'll be the first to tell you that long runs happen because of the work the guys out in front of you are doing.”
“We're trying to balance our offense,” Johnsen said. “That makes it harder for teams to prepare for us.”
Geneseo got two first quarter field goals from Brayden Combs. “He baled us out,” Johnsen said. “He is doing a great job, and he's handling playing both soccer and football.”
“We've been pushing our guys hard in practice,” Johnsen said. “We're hoping to grow an attitude of being successful, and we're going to keep watering that.”
Johnsen added, “This will be a big week to see just where we're at.”