BRAKEdown - 'Enthusiastic' Leafs are Making Progress

By Keith Brake
Geneseo Current

The idea is to constantly improve, says Geneseo Football Coach Matt Furlong.

Did the Leafs improve during their 48-0 season-opening win over Chicago Comer?

“Absolutely,” Furlong said. “Defensively we at first were a little tentative out on the edge, but we got better,” the coach said.

Comer had the opening drive and it lasted almost half the first quarter. But it produced no points.

Furlong said Geneseo taking every snap under center, “gives us an advantage by wearing teams down,” and that was evident as the game pounded on.

Furlong said the Leafs eliminated some pre-snap problems that happened against Pleasant Valley in the previous week's scrimmage.

“Pleasant Valley is a good program and we knew any deficiencies we had would be exposed,” the coach said.

Furlong said taking on Pleasant Valley, “wasn't pretty at times but in the long run, it will help us,” he said. “They had some guys in their lines who are going to be college players.”

So this week, it's on (to) Wisconsin for someone new to us, Clinton, located nine miles east of Beloit.

“They're a week ahead of us on the schedule,” Furlong said. “They're a solid 1-1 team. They had a couple of guys out the first week,” he said. They were back last week in a win over Whitewater.

“They have been in and out of their playoffs the last several years,” Furlong said.

“They're a good matchup for us after Comer.”

The Geneseo coach took a look back at the summer off-season the Leafs had.

“We emphasize showing up consistently,” Furlong said. “By the end of summer, the guys had improved a lot. This fall, we picked up right where we left off.”

“This group has enthusiasm and wants to work hard,” the coach said. “They get after it and the more you put in, the better outcome you will get,” he said.

“I am happy with how we are progressing,” Furlong said.

A part of the offense you haven't seen from this team yet is the wing-T.

It's coming.

“None of the quarterbacks in our system had ever taken a snap from under center until now,” said the coach.

Come to think of it, Geneseo hasn't lined up in the wing-T in uhh . . .a while. . .

Are we all that old?

Well, I am.

But I think I'll recognize it when I see it again.

“The guys are enjoying learning it,” Furlong said.

Green Machine Shuts Out Comer 48-0, Head To Wisconsin Next Friday

August 30 - Green Machine 48 Chicago (Noble/Gary Comer) 0

Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
G - Kye Weinzierl 14 yard run - Possin PAT (7-0)

2nd Quarter
G - Weinzierl 22 yard run - Possin PAT (14-0)
G - Keaton Ariano 45 yard interception return - Possin PAT (21-0)
G - Weinzierl 8 yard run - Possin PAT (28-0)

3rd Quarter
G - Kolten Schmoll-Burton 7 yard run - Possin PAT (35-0)
G - Jack Mickley 6 yard run - Possin PAT (42-0)

4th Quarter
G - Harrison Hill 17 yard run - 2PT failed (48-0)

Next Friday the Green Machine travels to Wisconsin to take on Clinton. The Cougars are 1-1 on the season following a 28-6 victory over Whitewater. They fell to Evansville 20-0 in their season opener.

Underclass Score
Fresh/Soph 49 Alleman 6

2024 Geneseo Football Cheer & Maplettes Rosters

2024 Varsity Cheer

Front Row (left to right): Anthony Carter, Malloree Humphrey, Jaidah Cribbs, Rachael Bauer, Kale O’Bryan, Emma Drockelman, Lily Johnson, Isabella Fletcher, Kaylee Floming - Second Row (left to right): Addison Erickson, Keira Disterhoft, Kameryn Keegan, Joei Christopherson, Jocelyn Cechowicz, Janey Neumann, Abigail Holman, Cora Gorman

2024 JV Cheer

Front Row (left to right): Elena Anderson, Reid Simpson, Payton Boone, Remlee Dwyer, Taylor Boone, Addison McSparin - Second Row (left to right): Quinn Cherry, Isla Disterhoft, Aleksie Possin, Ella Shannon, Ainsleigh Misfeldt, Sophia Snell, Alice Miller

2024 Maplettes

Front Row (left to right): Skylar Hileman, Ava DeWolfe, Sophia Clifton, Addilyn Swan - Second Row (left to right): Monica Erickson - Third Row (left to right): Meya Pollock, Madeline Wells, Paige Eastburn, Nina Schmedding - Fourth Row (left to right): Alexandra Duncan, Mckinsey Sharp, Ava Brewer - Fifth Row (left to right): Kailee Von Motz, Meghan Scheider, Jack Cooper, Raygen McKeag

Cheer & Maplette Rosters

2024 Green Machine Rosters & Regular Season Schedule

2024 Green Machine

Front Row (left to right): Mark Nelms, Evan Sundeen, Daniel Medrano, Flynn Arnett, Jeremiah Helm, Landon Rogers, Ethan Galloway, Carson Peters, Aden McCann, Malaki Jackson - Second Row (left to right): Brayden Franzen, Payton Hofer, Nick Vyas, Landry Possin, Alfredo Jimenez, Jayden Wexell, Joseph Thoene, Braxton Carlson, Erik Bjorkman, Lincoln Barnett, Hayden Schaaf - Third Row (left to right): Quinntyn VanHyfte, Kie Smith, Colten Mooney, Joseph Dylan Haser, Taefyl Freeman, Andre Diediker, Joshua Anderson, Kolten Schmoll-Burton, Devan Hornback, Carter Holke - Fourth Row (left to right): Dylon DeBoef, Jack Mickley, Jackson McAvoy, Grant Bomleny, Keaton Ariano, Tyler Chamberlain, Kye Weinzierl, Ethan Brown, Joshua Stahl, Brennan Lambin, Wyatt Neumann - Fifth Row (left to right): Student Trainer Zara Andersen, Jacob Stahl, Kamden Ariano, Cole Freeman, Aaron Betcher, Chase Juchcinski, William Baum, Reade Murphy, Student Trainer Bella Bailey - Sixth Row (left to right): Coach Blake Laingen, Coach Mike Harrington, Coach Carl Freeman, Coach Nate Ackert, James Kroener, Coach John Kroener, Head Coach Matt Furlong, Coach Nick Verbeck, Coach Brian Hofer, Coach Brad Monier, Coach Jeremy Mosier, Coach Bob Thomas - Not pictured: Ball Boys Lincoln Babcock and Kasin Mosier

Freshmen

Front Row (left to right): Van DeSplinter, Phoenix Ferro-Heller, Landon Barnett, Bryce Diehl, Bryer Uthoff, Ian McShane, Nolan Burton, Dawson Hull - Second Row (left to right): Jeremiah Frere, Jake Lively, Quin Nichols, James Harrison Hill, Benjamin Ott, Myles Davis-Coverdill, Cole Henson, Ethan Leetch, Brayden Cox, Isaiah Melton - Third Row (left to right): Malachi Troester, Mayson Lambin, Aiden Hawkins, Mason Emerick, Luca Turigliatti, Micah Nicke, Cyrus Babcock, Jaydn Shipman, Jackson Frank - Fourth Row (left to right): Student Trainer Zara Andersen, Coach Blake Laingen, Head Coach Bob Thomas, Head Coach Mike Harrington, Student Trainer Bella Bailey - Not pictured: Noah Klick, Jaxx Burris, Kenneth Weber

Regular Season Schedules
(Home Games In Bold - Schedule Subject To Change)

Varsity
10/04 7:00 at Sterling
10/11 7:00 Dolton Thornridge (Homecoming/Hall Of Fame Night)
10/18 7:00 Quincy (Senior Night)
10/25 7:00 at Rock Island

Freshmen
10/04 5:00 at Sterling
10/11 5:30 Dolton Thornridge (Fresh/Soph)
10/18 5:00 Quincy
10/25 5:00 at Rock Island

JV
10/07 5:00 Sterling
10/14 7:00 at Alleman
10/21 5:00 at Quincy

SOMEBODY should benefit from PV-Geneseo collision!

By Keith Brake
Geneseo Current

Assuming we all survived that blast furnace of a heat wave at the start of the week, here we are out at – or headed for – Bob Reade Field and the “official” start of football season.

I say “official,” because we were here last week, too, for something new – a scrimmage against another school. And not just any school, but I'll have more to say about Pleasant Valley in a few paragraphs.

This week, it's the Catamounts from Gary Comer College Preparatory School, located about 10 miles or so south of downtown Chicago.

Comer has been here the last three years. Geneseo won all three games, by scores of 49-0, 52-6 and 56-0. The Catamounts play hard and they're determined to develop a strong program.

That's a tough thing to do for a Chicago Public League school. Among other things, they don't start football until high school. Some schools don't have a full field to practice on.

But, coming out here may be the only school-sponsored trip out of the city for some of these guys. They're glad to be here, so we're glad to have them. When they do something good on the field, why not reward them with applause or a cheer? You are absolutely the largest crowd they will play in front of all season.

Comer is organized, and one element they have is speed. The Leafs are learning a new defensive system, so if they read a key incorrectly, Comer could have six on the board and quickly.

Last week, there was that scrimmage against a nearby Quad-City school, Pleasant Valley. Those of you who were here – and there were a lot of you – know that it was a hard-hitting affair, played with enthusiasm.

They don't post scores of these scrimmages, but the only time I saw the goal line crossed was when the Spartans got in on a two-yard dive a little over halfway through the “game.”

The Spartans had a big defensive line. We're talking Quincy-like quickness and agility. Yeah, they could play in the Western Big Six and would, if the Mississippi River didn't bend where it does.

As it is, Pleasant Valley plays in the Mississippi Athletic Conference. That league also includes Davenport Assumption, Bettendorf, DeWitt Central, Clinton, Davenport Central, Davenport North and Davenport West, Muscatine and North Scott.

Pleasant Valley counts 1,541 students, to Genesseo's 840.5. Back in the day, I remember when Geneseo's enrollment was twice that of Pleasant Valley. Times change.

Against that competition, Pleasant Valley is 35-7 the last four years. Wow!

The Spartans should have been a good measuring stick for playing in the WB6, and that happens week after next when Moline comes to Bob Reade Field.

Next week, the Leafs head to Clinton, Wis., a town of 2,200 located in Rock County, about nine miles northeast of Beloit, a small city which hugs the Illinois-Wisconsin border.

Clinton is just 88 miles east of where I live now, in Cuba City. But, I don't go to that part of Wisconsin, ever, and know little about them.

But, they've had some success lately. They're a school of 550 students, had a 5-5 season last year, and made it to the first round of the playoffs in their division.

I've read that Clinton has a sizable population of Amish, has a clean environment and a family-friendly atmosphere.

But be alert to this: TV Channel 3 in Madison reported that West Nile Virus was detected in mosquitoes in Rock County last week. So bring your bug spray . . .and maybe an extra can.

And watch out for buggies out on the road. We have them in this part of the state, too, and you can't be too careful.

Safe travels, everyone!

Leafs Scrimmage Friday and YOU Can Be There!

By Keith Brake
Geneseo Current

“Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, it's time to turn on the Green Machine!”

What? On Friday, Aug. 23, you say? That's a week early! The boys need more time to get ready. . .

Well, scrimmages against eastern Iowa power program Pleasant Valley may help Geneseo do just that.

Gates at Bob Reade Field will open at 4:15 p.m. Friday, for an event that will start at 5.

Admission will be a freewill donation to benefit the GHS athletic department.

All levels of the PV and Geneseo programs will be involved. And, these scrimmages will replace the traditional Green-White scrimmage game, at least for this year.

“It's a new format that I think will benefit our football program,” said Geneseo Athletic Director Joe Nichols in a press release. “We'll see our first-team players go against Pleasant Valley's starters, and the same with our second stringers.”

“It will be a nice challenge for our student-athletes and provide a little bit of a measuring stick as we preparre for the season-opener on Aug. 30,” he said.

Here's the schedule for the night:

5 p.m. - Frosh-soph scrimmage, with 48 total plays.

6:10 p.m. - Junior varsity, with 32 total plays.

6:35 p.m. - Varsity teams, with 40 total plays over four 10-play segments.

After the scrimmages, cheerleaders are to be introduced and there will be an autograph night.

The Green Machine hosts Chicago Comer in the opener on Aug. 30, visits Clinton, Wis., the next week, and then comes back home for the Western Big Six opener against Moline.

To All Incoming Youth Football Players - From Geneseo Youth Football

Geneseo Youth Football started over 65 years ago to introduce football to boys in the 5th through 7th grades. The program is self‑supporting through donations from area businesses, foundations and other individuals in our community. At this time, we are preparing and planning our 2024 fall season.

In order to plan for the total number of teams and players per team, we ask you to register now using the online registration using this link, https://forms.gle/BAKcRKSWtghhs23a8. There is no cost to register and the only cost to play is $1 for the mouthguard. We would appreciate you completing the registration process no later than July 1, 2024.

We have outlined answers to some questions you might have on the next attachment as well as some dates for the upcoming season. This should help clarify when things happen and how the league operates.

For all first year players, regardless of grade, tryouts are required. Each tryout session will last approximately 30-45 minutes, depending on numbers, for all coaches to see how each player performs in a series of drills. Plastic/molded cleats are recommended but not required. Players only need to attend one of the tryout days.

We look forward to another successful football season and watching your player grow!

Thank you.

GENESEO YOUTH FOOTBALL, INC. ‑ BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Ray Hanson, Bill Dale, Tom Curnyn, Larry Ward, Scott Himmelman,Brad Toone, Eric Henderson, Mike Laingen and Tyler Mackey

Green Machine: BRAKEdown - Post Playoffs

By Keith Brake
Geneseo Current

Playoff opponent was one of those 'tough outs'

Low bridge!!

What you do now is get up, dust yourself off, and go looking for the horse. . . so you can ride again.

IC Catholic Prep of Elmhurst was the low bridge that took down the Leafs on Saturday evening, Oct. 28.

The final was 35-12 and yes, the better team won this first round Class 4A playoff game.

The Knights were last year's Class 3A state champions and Geneseo Coach Larry Johnsen Jr. thinks they might appear in yet another championship game this season.

“It will take quite a team to beat them,” the coach said, mentioning various areas of strength the Knights possess. “Depth could be an issue for them, but they've got the skill kids.”

The positive for Geneseo, the coach said, “was our guys played hard,” he said. “They left it all on the field.”

“It was a tough start for us,” Johnsen said. Geneseo came out throwing on the game's first play from scrimmage. It was a sideline pass, and IC Catholic's Joey Gliatta intercepted at Geneseo's 16-yard line.

On first down, Gliatta ran under a touchdown pass from quarterback Dennis Mandala, and it was 7-0 just 11 seconds into the game.

The Leafs went three-and-out, then Mandala threw a 43-yard touchdown pass, and Geneseo was in a 14-0 hole at the 7:57 mark of the first quarter.

“We came back and got some points,” Johnsen said. “But ultimately their athletes took over the game. They reminded me of Quincy in the way they kept taking shots.”

What Geneseo wanted to do coming into this game the Leafs did on their third possession.

It was a 72-yard drive that took 8:03 off the clock, ended with a score, and cut ICC's lead to 14-6. Junior running back Kolten Schmoll-Burton gave it fuel with some slashing runs into the heart of the Knights' defense.

Quarterback AJ Weller kept the drive alive with a 14-yard scramble on a fourth down and 12 play. Weller got the touchdown on a play from the 11 where he got the Knights to bite on a hard fake to the left, then rolled around an open right side for the score.

“After we stumbled, we settled down some,” Johnsen said.

But a 77-yard, 11-play drive put ICC up 21-6 at halftime.

Running backs Aaron Harvey (#5) and Gliatta (#33) provided the speed and power, respectively.

It was more of the same in the second half, with quarterback Mandala throwing in passes to Iowa recruit K.J. Parker (#14).

“We contested them, but the law of averages says a team with their talent is going to make big plays,” Johnsen said.

So, a Geneseo team that started fast had a tough back end of its season and finished at 6-4.

“We were inches away from being 8-1 heading into the playoffs,” Johnsen said.

“Quincy was better than us,” Johnsen said. The Leaf coach thought Rock Island could have been a win. But, it got away.

And then, there was Sterling. “That was a really emotional loss for us,” said Johnsen.

Geneseo said goodbye to 21 seniors, who gave the Leafs an experienced and physical bunch with which to battle WB6 opponents.

“Off-seasons are huge,” Johnsen said. “Bodies change over the winter and into the spring.”

“We have a smattering of experience coming back, and that's something,” he said. “We're in a bit of a cycle now where our numbers are down. Depth will be a concern for us.”

“We did work in a number of younger guys this season, especially on defense. But we're losing a big batch, and that will be hard for us.”

Scheduling will be important for the Leafs. “Right now, we don't have our first two games set,” he said. Will Alleman be back? “We're not sure yet,” Geneseo's coach said. “If not, that's another date to fill, right between Sterling and Quincy.”

Life in high school football is about change and adaptation. The Leafs will head into the trainer's room with their future in front of them and the reality that they can control their end of that.

2023 WB6 All-Conference Football

Congratulations!

#77 Nolan Femali
1st Team Offense

#72 Kaden Salisbury
1st Team Defense

#10 Jackson Reade
1st Team Defense

#3 AJ Weller
1st Team Special Teams & Honorable Mention Offense

#51 Connor Mitchell
2nd Team Offense

#83 Luke Johnsen
2nd Team Offense

#75 Owen Skovronski
2nd Team Defense

#15 Cooper McKeag
2nd Team Defense

#32 Nathan Dunker
2nd Team Defense

#27 Jeron Neal
Honorable Mention Offense

#18 Brayden Combs
Special Teams Honorable Mention

Green Machine: BRAKEdown - Week 10

By Keith Brake
Geneseo Current

Leafs get a “re-do” - in the playoffs!

The Rock Island game? “Really disapointing,” for the players,” said Geneseo coach Larry Johnsen Jr., “and frustrating” for the coaches,” he said. But that game also is ancient history.

Well, it had better be, because Johnsen, the coaches and the Maple Leafs have a playoff game to prepare for. So much to do, so little time. . .

Well, the time factor will be a little different, because the game against IC Catholic Prep doesn't start until 5 p.m. Saturday in Elmhurst.

“We do have that extra day to prepare,” Johnsen said. “It's an extra day of recovery. If gives us time to get things done and to get us fresh for Saturday,” he said.

The coach said preparation for a playoff game is different, “because all of our focus in on one game,” Johnsen said. “During the regular season, you're also thinking about future games.”

“It's more efficient, because we'll only work on one facet at a time, offense or defense. And we'll have the entire coaching staff watching both units, and they can observe and suggest things,” said the coach.

“We'll have to be careful to balance work and rest.”

Geneseo (6-3) was the second-largest enrollment school to make it into Class 4A. The Leafs drew the number 10 seed in the northern bracket. The Knights are number 7. “They are a tough draw for us, that's for sure,” Johnsen said.

The Knights are 7-2. “Playoffs are all about match-ups,” Johnsen said.

“The first two rounds are kind of a weeding out process,” he said.

The Knights have a “wide-open offense,” Johnsen said. “They have a lot of good athletes and they're really explosive.”

“They play a really good schedule. They have multiple skill position players, who have drawn the attention of Texas A & M and Iowa,” the Geneseo coach said.

“We'll try to keep the ball; that's our chance. We'll want to limit their touches and force turnovers.”

“They usually show a 4-3 defense, but it depends on what we do,” the coach added.

IC Catholic Prep is a school of 320 students, according to a story in The Chicago Tribune. The IHSA has inflated that enrollment to to 608.3 for playoff class purposes.

The school draws students from 40 communities, the story said.

The Knights won the state championship in Class 3A last year.

You may recall this school when it was called Elmhurst Immaculate Conception. Geneseo beat the Knights 21-16 in the Class 3A quarterfinals. The Leafs went on win their third consecutive state title with a 13-0 record.

This year's Knights score 34 points and game and yield 19. Geneseo scores 32 and yields 13, but remember, they're opponents from opposite sides of the state.

Knights quarterback Dennis Mandala (5-10, 165) has completed 90 of 138 passes for 11 touchdowns. Joey Gliatta (5-10, 175) has rushed for 1,056 yards, a 10-yard average and 17 touchdowns.

Four receivers have yardage totals ranging from 212 to 611 yards.

Against Rock Island, the Leafs again started fast on their opening drive. But Rock Island started getting stops using a similar stunt/blitz package that led to Geneseo losses to Sterling and Quincy.

The Leafs came out aggressive and physical on defense and forced a fumble Owen Skovronski recovered in the red zone. The Leafs had to settle for a field goal on that one and had another close approach, but no touchdown.

“Defensively, we played pretty well,” Johnsen said. “Offensively, there were several times we were a block away, maybe two, from making big plays.”

Late in the game, with the lead, the Rocks showed good clock management in doing what Geneseo wants to do – keep the ball away from the opposing offense.

Regarding Saturday, Johnsen said, “everybody has to be 'on.'”

Green Machine: BRAKEdown - Week 9

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.”