By Keith Brake
Geneseo Current
Geneseo football coach Matt Furlong agreed with popular opinion regarding the Maple Leafs’ 16-13 win over Davenport Assumption.
His team got the win, overcame some adversity and overall did good things.
“We moved the ball well,” Furlong said. “On defense we managed downs and distances.”
“I didn’t sense any panic when we fell behind early,” he said.
“We covered kicks well when the ball didn’t go in the end zone, Furlong said.
This Friday, it’s the first home game, against Rochelle. “Our kids know what they’re getting into,” the coach said.
Last year, the Leafs and Hubs met in an early game. Rochelle’s players got their pads under Geneseo’s and put the Leafs on a backwards glide all night in a one-sided win.
But by playoff time, it was a different story.
The Leafs will try to pick up where they left off in a game that should be a great preparation for the conference season, which begins next week.
Geneseo quarterback Luca Turigliatti didn’t let a pair of early pick-six interceptions bother him.
“The first was a weak throw but on the second the pass was tipped,” Furlong said.
“Overall, Luca played a good game,” Furlong said. “He is a tough kid mentally.”
Turigliatti operates behind some really big high school linemen. They paved the way for more than 400 rushing yards by the team, and more than 170 by the quarterback, who was one of three Leafs over 100 yards.
Names of note up front: Jadyn Shipman and Joshua Stahl, both 6-2, and 278 and 279 pounds, respectively. And, Ethan Brown, 6-2 and very imposing 231.
“We have the largest linemen we’ve had since I’ve been here, Furlong said.
“The rest of our linemen use good footwork and technique. They’re very good high school linemen,” Furlong said.
