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From UTHS Athletic Director Mark Pustelnik.....
"We will be providing busing from the UTHS High School parking lot to the bowl this Friday night. The three buses will run back and forth the entire night starting at 4:30. As you know, since the main road was redone to provide a bike path, we do not have great parking at the Soule Bowl. Taking the shuttle will save your fans and our fans a lot of walking."
Geneseo and Moline were running a neck-and-neck race during most of the first half of their game at Bob Reade Field on Friday, Sept. 13.
But then, LOW BRIDGE!. .on Geneseo's side of the trail.
The Leafs got to their feet, dusted themselves off, got their bearings, and started looking for the horse.
They found the horse and were still in the game.
Geneseo trailed by 10 points with about four minutes left in the third quarter. Facing fourth down and a few, the Leafs' staff elected to try a 27-yard field goal, figuring they could shave three points off Moline's lead then catch them in the fourth quarter.
When you're playing a bigger school, one of their athletes might make a play that turns everything their way. That was the case here.
The field goal try was blocked and linebacker Corbin Schnell scooped up the football and ran 78 yards for a score. Now, it's a 17-point Moline lead, near the mid-point of the third quarter.
Two Leafs were hurt on the play, there was some controversy about blocking on the return, but no foul was called.
Schnell's return ended Geneseo's being close the rest of the way in Moline's 51-21 victory.
That was tough for Geneseo's players.
“Yeah, for sure,” said Geneseo coach Matt Furlong. “Our kids were upset. And they should have been. They had invested a lot of energy and time preparing for that game.”
On Saturday, coaches and players watched the films, with a focus on some good things Geneseo got done.
Furlong said last week he wanted to see his down linemen getting under Moline pads and driving. He said that happened at times, especially in the first half, which ended with Moline leading 24-21.
The Leaf line produced some movement. A play of beauty was an option right, with quarterback Jackson McAvoy making a perfect pitch to running back Kye Weinzierl, who timed his cut perfectly and completed a 49-yard scoring run that helped to put Geneseo up 21-14 at the time.
But Geneseo was outscored 27-0 in the second half; 17-0 over the last four minutes of the second quarter and the first four of the third period.
Furlong said Moline adjusted to Geneseo's wing formations, “then we re-adjusted, but by then it was too late,” he said.
So this week, it's on to Soule Bowl in East Moline for a game against the UT Panthers.
UT comes in at 1-2. They lost 18-16 to LaSalle-Peru, beat overmatched Chicago Muchin 67-0, then were edged 27-26 by Sterling.
The Panthers will be something very different from Moline, but “they pose big challenges,” Furlong said.
“They want to spread the ball around to their athletes out on the edges and let them make plays,” Furlong said.
“Offensively, we must control the ball and eliminate penalties,” the coach said.
“When we execute, it's like I said last week, we're capable of playing with the bigger schools in the conference. That's a point of emphasis for us this week. Our guys have to believe they can do that,” Furlong said.
He added: “We have to do it the entire game.”
September 13 - Bob Reade Field
Moline 51 Green Machine 21
1st Quarter
M-Corbin Schnell 5 yard run (Nolan Ducey PAT) (0-7)
G-Jackson McAvoy 25 yard run (Carter Holke PAT) (7-7)
2nd Quarter
G-McAvoy 1 yard run (Holke PAT) (14-7)
M-Adrian Cooper 12 yard run (Ducey PAT) (14-14)
G-Kye Weinzierl 49 yard run (Holke PAT) (21-14)
M-Cooper 39 yard run (Holke PAT) (21-21)
M-Ducey 27 yard field goal (21-24)
3rd Quarter
M-Marc Carey 5 yard run (Ducey PAT) (21-31)
M-Schnell 78 yard blocked field goal return (Ducey PAT) (21-38)
4th Quarter
M-Schnell 30 yard run (Ducey PAT) (21-45)
M-Samuel Ngongo 3 yard run (No PAT) (21-51)
Underclass Score
Moline 24 Freshmen 8
October 1 - 6:00
Bears at Eagles
October 3 - 6:00
Lions at Colts followed by Eagles at Vikings
October 10 - 5:00 (@Bob Reade Field)
Eagles at Colts
October 13 - 12:30 (@Bob Reade Field)
Vikings at Lions followed by Colts at Bears
The trip to Wisconsin for a game against Clinton filled a need . . .by filling a hole in Geneseo's schedule.
But otherwise, “not exactly,” said Leafs Coach Matt Furlong.
The coach said the Leafs still have some cleaning and polishing to do this week before hosting Moline on Friday in the WB6 opener.
The Leafs went out and hit the Cougars from the smaller school. But the Cougars hit back during Geneseo's 20-6 victory.
“We need better execution – finishing blocks and tackles,” Furlong said. “We have to eliminate the penalties and turnovers.”
Geneseo led 20-6 at halftime and it remained that way against a team that was willing to meet over the football time and again.
Still it was a game that Geneseo seemed to control pace and tempo, despite not being able to easily play add-on with the score.
There was one big telling statistic: Geneseo converted 10 of 11 third down situations. If my memory is correct, six of those were on the Leafs' opening drive.
Geneseo unveiled its version of the wing-T on that overland trek, which ate up most of the first quarter and resulted in a touchdown.
'The offense was moving the ball and we were finishing runs,” Furlong said. “Our backs were getting extra yards and that was one of the areas where we felt pretty good.”
Clinton got moving behind a quarterback who handled the ball well and an offensive line that was willing to mix it up inside and come back for more.
“I wasn't shocked by that,” Furlong said. “On film, their physicality stood out. They had some athletes and some size. They were not typical of a school with less than 500 enrollment.”
So, that part should be useful to Geneseo, if the Leafs can improve some important things this week.
“Moline is typical for them: Solid and physical up front. They'll work in some play action. They'll be a challenge for us both physically and mentally,” said the coach.
“In the WB6, you step up. They'll have talent on the field. Are we ready to make that step? We've got a few days and we'll find out,” Furlong said.
Last year, Geneseo rushed for 300 yards and scored its first conference win over the Maroons in five tries with a last second field goal. That should be a confidence-builder for the Leafs, whose young memories might not include some pre-conference days wins over Moline.
“We think we're good enough to beat teams in the conference,” Furlong said. “But we have to execute and eliminate penalties, and play assignment football on defense.”
“So far, we've been matching pad level with opposing linemen,” the coach said. “We need to get under the other guy's pads and that means getting down.”
“We can get better, but we have to do it the right way,” Furlong said.
Moline comes in at 1-1. The Maroons were on a mission last week at Lisle Benet, after suffering five straight defeats to the Redwings.
It was a 14-14 game at halftime . . on the way to a 49-29 Benet victory.
The question for this week then: “How quickly can we improve?” said Geneseo's coach.
We'll find out Friday night.
September 6 - Clinton High School
Green Machine 20 Clinton, WI 6
1st Quarter
G-Carter Holke 9 Yard Pass From Jackson McAvoy (Holke PAT) (7-0)
2nd Quarter
C-2 Yard Run (PAT Failed) (7-6)
G-Dylon DeBoef 1 Yard Run (Holke PAT) (14-6)
G-McAvoy 82 Yard Run (PAT Failed) (20-6)
3rd Quarter
No Scoring
4th Quarter
No Scoring
Western Big 6 play begins next Friday as Moline comes to Bob Reade Field. The Maroons will enter the game with a 1-1 record.
Week 1: Moline 41 Fenton (Rockwood Summit), Mo 40 (OT)
Week 2: Lisle (Benet Academy) 49 Moline 29
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.
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 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
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
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!
Home Games In Bold - Schedule Subject To Change
10/02 4:15 John Deere
10/09 4:15 at Galesburg
“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.
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
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.
