Green Machine BRAKEdown – Week 4

Leafs Expect to be Challenged by Moline

By Keith Brake
Geneseo Current

Moline, Quincy and Geneseo.

It's nice to see Geneseo up there tied for the lead with the two largest schools in the Western Big Six after one week of league play.

Now, the Maple Leafs take on one of them when they head over to Browning Field in Moline on Friday evening, Sept. 19.

This isn't a big unknown for Geneseo's players, who start competing against the Maroons in junior high school.

“They're (Moline) very good,” said Geneseo Coach Matt Furlong. “They started their season against three good opponents.”

Moline, like Geneseo, is 2-1. The Maroons opened with a 30-24 loss to Rockwood Summit, of Fenton, Mo., a traditional power in Missouri.

Then Moliine got a win over Sycamore, an old Geneseo rival from the 70s and now an established power in Illinois Class 5A. Sycamore scored a touchdown late, getting to within one point at 21-20.

The Spartans went for a two-point conversion and the win.

Moline stopped it.

Then last week, the Maroons were 36-20 winners over Sterling as WB6 play began.

“We'll be challenged,” Furlong said.

“Moline has a rangy sophomore quarterback,” said Furlong. “We'll see some spread stuff. But they’re solid running the ball, too.”

“Defensively, they're big up front and aggressive,” said Geneseo's coach. “They like to play downhill, so we'll mix in some counter action and our passing game.”

Rochelle's domination (41-14) of the Leafs in Week 1 knocked Furlong and his staff off balance for a bit.

“Well, we were certainly not at our best,” Geneseo's coach said.

But the Leafs were in control in wins over Assumption and Rock Island “We have good physicality now. We're finishing blocks and tackles.”

“Our quarterback, Jackson McAvoy, has developed more understanding of what this offense is trying to do, and our backs are blocking for each other,” Furlong added.

“I'm happy with where we're at,” Geneseo's coach said. “We're putting things together. Also during the summer we developed good senior leadership.”

“We have a good foundation, but now we have to build quick.”

NEW TURF – Fans will note something new at Browning Field . . .an artificial playing surface. Now, all Western Big 6 stadiums sport that feature.

BRAKEdown - Week 3

Can Leafs, Rocks continue histories? 

By Keith Brake
Geneseo Current

 

As a kid, I grew up in Rock Island and along the way became quite a sports fan. Mostly high school football and basketball. Also softball and, when it came along, girls high school basketball.

I read Murray and Nolan Hurt in The Argus and Paul Carlson in The Dispatch and listened to Don Sharp on WHBF. 

Well, didn't we all? 

I remember a crisp fall evening in Public Schools Stadium, when Rocky quarterback Steve Wilson was lighting up the gridiron with dimes dropped on flanker Bryan Crompton and wide receiver Al Bream. 

I marveled at how fast they could take the Rocks down the field. 

Later, our family moved to Geneseo and I wondered how bored I might be watching a team “that couldn't throw” the football. 

My first Geneseo game as a fan came about this time of year, when big, bad Rochelle came to town – and dazzled us with their power show. Fullback smash, off-tackle right. More of same. Then repeat. 

But anything but boring. A Geneseo defensive player years later told me “I saw that sweep coming right at me and next thing I knew I was spitting out a couple teeth.” 

Rochelle won that game, 18-13. The student sections which met behind the south goal posts were out shaking hands with, and not fists at, the other side. 

Those were the days. And the games. 

Jump ahead a few years. Geneseo's “Green Machine” had been born, that night against Rochelle went unbeaten in their next 52 games before losing another one. A local, regional and state institution was born and the problem now was how to keep feeding it. 

But all this time, the state's 10th and 12th-winningest football progams – Geneseo and Rock Island – have been just a few wins apart, and they still are. 

They haven't faced each other very often. That's because the schools have tended to be near the top (Rock Island) or lower (Geneseo) on the enrollment ladder. 

But cities have grown and both schools are closer to the middle of the spread now. 

They find themselves in the same WB6 Conference, and playing each other every fall. 

Rock Island has had a rough start this season but one thing I expect will continue: If Rock Island can get the ball out in space to its speed people and; if Geneseo can stay disciplined with its blocking and tackling, this should remain an exciting and unpredictable series between two schools who have done their thing well for a long, long time.  

And I am glad I have lived to see it happen!

2025 GMS Fall Sports Schedules & Scores

2025 Geneseo Middle School Fall Sports Schedules & Scores
Home Games/Meets In Bold - Schedules Subject To Change

Softball - Home Games At J.F. Edwards Complex

08/06: GMS 12 Mercer County 9
08/07: GMS 6 Logan 0
08/09: GMS 7 East Peoria Central 2
08/12: GMS 9 Ridgewood 0
08/16: GMS 10 Canton 9
08/19: GMS 18 Kewanee Central 1
08/23: GMS 14 Morris Saratoga 1
08/26: GMS 18 West Central 1
08/27: GMS 13 Ottawa Shepperd 1
09/06: GMS 15 Brimfield 5
09/10: Dunlap Valley 8 GMS 3 (Regional Semifinal)
Season Complete (Final Record: 10-1)

Golf - Home Meets At Geneseo Country Club

08/14: at Washington/Edison (Team Scores Not Kept)
Top GMS Boys Scores: Brandton Spensley (27/7 holes) & Trace Hager (32/8 holes)
Top GMS Girls Scores: Hadley Abbott 42/8 holes) & Avery Wilshusen 42/8 holes)

08/20: vs Washington/Edison (Team Scores Not Kept)
Top GMS Boys Score: Trace Hager (36 / 8 holes)
Top GMS Girls Score: Hadley Abbot (36 / 7 holes)

08/25 - 4:30: vs Galesburg Costa (Team Scores Not Kept)
Top GMS Boys Score: Brandton Spensley (41 / 9 holes)
Top GMS Girls Score: Hadley Abbott 44 (7 holes) & Sophia Pollock 44 (6 holes)

08/28 : Galesburg Costa (Team Scores Not Kept)
Top GMS Girls Score: Hadley Abbott (45 / 8 holes / 3rd overall)
Top GMS Boys Score: Trace Hager (38 / 8 holes / 3rd overall)

09/03: IESA Boys Sectional
13th: Trace Hager (87)
35th: Zak O'Dell (102)
66th: Brandton Spensley (134)
Boys Season Complete

09/04: IESA Girls Sectional
6th: Hadley Abbott (97 - State Qualifier)
22nd: Avery Wilshusen (118)

09/11: IESA State Finals
Hadley Abbot Finished Tied For 19th (92 / +21)
Season Complete

Cross Country - Home Meets At Richmond Hill

08/19: GHS/GMS Rust Buster (Exhibition)

08/27: Moline Middle School Invite
6th Grade Boys - 2nd Place
6th Grade Girls - 1st Place
7th Grade Boys - 3rd Place
7th Grade Girls - 3rd Place
8th Grade Boys - 1st Place
8th Grade Girls - No Place (4 Runners)

09/03: GMS Invite
6th Grade Boys - 3rd Place
6th Grade Girls - 1st Place
7th Grade Boys - 5th Place
7th Grade Girls - No Place (2 Runners)
8th Grade Boys - 1st Place
8th Grade Girls - 3rd Place

09/05: Pleasant Valley Challenge
Boys - 2nd Place
Girls - 8th Place

09/10: Glenview Invite
7th Grade Boys - 1st Place

09/11: Ye Old Berserker
Boys - 1st Place
Girls - 3rd Place

09/15: Pioneer Pacers Invite (No Results)
09/16: Erie-Prophetstown (No Results)

09/23: Edison Rock Island Invite
Boys - 1st Place (1st In Open Division)
Girls - 1st Place (2nd In Open Division)

09/26: Dunlap Invite
Boys - 3rd Place
Girls - 18th Place

10/01: Heartland Conference Championship
Boys - 1st Place (1st In Open Division)
Girls - 1st Place (2nd In Open Division)

10/11: Sectionals
Boys - 1st Place (Advance To State Finals)
Girls - 5th Place (Season Complete

10/18 - 1:00: IESA State Championship (Maxwell Park - Normal)
Good Luck GMS Boys!

Football - Home Games At Old Athletic Field

08/27: Wilson 32 GMS 30
09/03: GMS 50 Edison 0
09/10: Glenview 22 GMS 14
09/17: GMS 36 Jr. Pioneers 34
09/24: GMS 14 Washington 14
10/02: GMS 1 John Deere 0 (forfeit)
10/09: GMS 24 Galesburg 6
Season Complete (Final Record: 4-2-1)

Volleyball - Home Games At GMS

 

Green
08/28
8th Grade: Sterling Challand 2 GMS 0 (25-7, 27-25)
7th Grade: Sterling Challand 2 GMS 0(25-18, 25-9)

09/03
8th Grade: Edison 2 GMS 1 (21-25, 25-15, 15-5)
7th Grade: GMS 2 Edison 1 (21-25, 25-16, 15-9)

09/15 - 4:00: vs Glenview
09/17 - 4:00: at Morrison (Morrison Jr. High School)
09/18 - 4:00: at Fulton (Riverbend Middle School)
09/22 - 4:00: vs Riverdale
09/23 - 4:00: vs Washington
09/24 - 4:00: at Colona (Colona School)
09/25 - 4:00: vs Wilson
10/02 - 4:00: at John Deere (John Deere Middle School)
10/08 - 4:00: at Seton (Seton Catholic School)
10/09 - 4:00: at Jordan (Jordan Catholic School)
10/13 - 5:00: vs White (GHS)

White
08/25
7th Grade: Erie 2 GMS 1 (19-25, 25-27, 15-9)
8th Grade: GMS 2 Erie 1 (15-25, 25-9, 15-10)

09/02
8th Grade: Wilson 2 GMS 1 (25-10, 25-17, 15-10)
7th Grade: GMS 2 Wilson 1 (21-25, 25-22, 25-21)

09/03
8th Grade: Colona 2 GMS 0 (25-13, 25-13)
7th Grade: GMS 2 Colona 1 (25-15, 25-20, 11-15)

09/09
8th Grade: GMS 3 John Deere 0 (25-21, 25-23, 15-9)
7th Grade: John Deere 2 GMS 1 (25-12, 20-25, 15-8)

09/15 - 4:00: at Riverdale (Riverdale Jr. High School)
09/17 - 4:00: at Rock Falls (Rock Falls Middle School)
09/18 - 4:00: vs Jordan
09/22 - 4:00: at Glenview (Glenview Middle School)
09/24 - 4:00: at Washington (Washington Jr. High School)
09/29 - 4:00: vs Edison
10/02 - 4:00: at Sterling (Challand Middle School)
10/06 - 4:00: vs Seton
10/13 - 5:30: vs Green (GHS)

BRAKEdown - Week 2

By Keith Brake
Geneseo Current

Find the horse, saddle back up, and move on 

There has been some enthusiasm in the two communities prior to Friday night's Geneseo vs. Assumption battle at Bob Reade Field. 

Both teams stirred up that excitement with their improvements heading into the final weeks of last season. 

The Maple Leafs carried a “we belong here” attitude into their two playoff games. 

It was the same with Assumption, which put things together before falling to Iowa Class 3A champion Dubuque Wahlert in the quarterfinals. 

Then came last week and a low bridge for both. 

For the Knights, it was a 36-13 loss at Solon, a traditional eastern Iowa power. 

For the Leafs, it was a 41-14 humbling at the hands of Rochelle, an old rival from NCIC Conference days. 

Whoever wins between Geneseo and Assumption will get credit for a major emotional comeback in just one week. 

The Maple Leafs will be looking for exactly that as they swing into Western Big 6 play against Rock Island and Moline the next two weeks. 

We saw Geneseo's scrimmage against Pleasant Valley before the season started, and the Leafs looked pretty sharp in drills against the Spartans.  

Both teams were organized beyond what they had been when Geneseo and PV scrimmaged last season. 

We expected to see two tough lines run into each other and we did, but the Leafs moved the ball quite a bit better than last year.  

Then, Pleasant Valley beat Bettendorf when they met in their season-opener on Saturday morning. 

For Geneseo, Rochelle was . . .Rochelle+plus. If you can imagine Team X playing a Geneseo team from the 70's, that's about what it looked like.  

Rochelle plays in Class 5A now and they made it to the quarterfinals last season. 

You can expect the Hubs to make another deep run this season. They're air-tight up front, their backs are precise and hit their holes very quickly. 

But it was not a complete wash-out for the Leafs. Geneseo's offense improved as the game went on. The Leafs generated 200 yards rushing, which isn't bad considering Rochelle had just over 300.  

That tells me Rochelle was playing against another pretty good team. 

It also tells me that Geneseo aspires to be good and the kind of effort that they put into that will determine it. 

Things can work out. Geneseo isn't far removed now from playing in Class 5. The Leafs could meet Rochelle again, and they'll want to be ready . . .

Friday's game? Expect a mix of pass and run from Assumption. 

Geneseo takes its snaps from under center, and is run-first, but not run-only.

2025 Green Machine Rosters

Good Luck Green Machine!

Varsity
1: Ian McShane (10 - 5'9 - 140 - RB/DB)
2: Ethan Galloway (11 - 5'9 - 169 - QB/DB)
3: Jack Mickley (11 - 6'1 - 167 - RB/DB)
4: Kye Weinzierl (12 - 6'1 - 191 - RB/LB)
5: Lincoln Barnett (12 - 5'10 - 156 - RB/DB)
6: Cyrus Babcock (10 - 6'0 - 166 - TE/LB)
7: Brennan Lambin (12 - 6'2 - 202 - TE/DL)
8: Landen Vincent (10 - 5'8 - 148 - FB/DB)
9: Carson Peters (11 - 5'9 - 160 - SE/DB)
10: Jayden Wexell (11 - 5'10 - 135 - RB/DB)
12: Luca Turigliatti (10 - 6'0 - 160 - QB/DB)
14: Jackson McAvoy (12 - 6'0 - 174 - QB/DB)
15: Quin Nichols (10 - 5'8 - 144 - QB/DB)
16: Quinn VanHyfte (12 - 5'10 - 172 - RB/LB)
17: Hayden Schaaf (12 - 5'10 - 168 - TE/LB)
18: Isaiah Melton (10 - 5'11 - 140 - RB/DB)
19: Kie Smith (11 - 6'0 - 163 - TE/LB)
20: Micah Nicke (10 - 5'11 - 160 - RB/DB)
21: Payton Hofer (12 - 5'9 - 163 - FB/LB)
22: Braxton Carlson (11 - 5'10 - 156 - SE/DB)
23: Nick Vyas (12 - 5'9 - 157 - SE/DB)
24: Harrison Hill (10 - 5'8 - 181 - RB/LB)
25: Keaton Ariano (11 - 6'0 - 198 - RB/DB)

26: Brayden Cox (10 - 5'9 - 160 - RB/DB)
27: Mark Nelms (11 - 5'9 - 185 - FB/LB)
28: Carter Holke (12 - 5'11 - 190 - TE/LB)
29: Mayson Lambin (10 - 5'11 - 195 - TE/LB)
30: Grant Bomleny (12 - 6'0 - 176 - FB/LB)
31: Aiden Hawkins (10 - 5'11 - 155 - TE/DB)
33: Ben Simosky (9 - 5'10 - 187 - FB/LB)
36: Cedrick Kehoe (12 - 5'10 - 147 - SE/DB)
37: Jordan Ramirez (12 - 5'11 - 148 - SE/DB)
39: Dawson Hull (10 - 5'9 - 159 - TE/LB)
43: Bryce Diehl (10 - 5'8 - 145 - RB/LB)
44: Nolan Burton (10 - 5'8 - 135 - FB/LB)
45: Grady Hull (12 - 5'11 - 165 - RB/LB)
52: Freddy Jimenez (12 - 5'9 - 192 - OL/DL)
53: Erik Bjorkman (11 - 5'10 - 215 - OL/DL)
54: Ethan Leetch (10 - 5'8 - 190 - OL/DL)
55: Colten Mooney (11 - 5'11 - 215 - OL/DL)
56: Evan Sundeen (12 - 5'10 - 248 - OL/DL)
57: Daniel Medrano (11 - 5'9 - 224 - OL/DL)
58: Joshua Stahl (11 - 6'2 - 274 - OL/DL)
60: Landon Rogers (11 - 5'9 - 226 - OL/DL)
62: Taefyl Freeman (11 - 6'0 - 193 - OL/DL)
65: Ethan Brown (11 - 6'2 - 220 - OL/DL)
71: Jaydn Shipman (10 - 6'1 - 285 - OL/DL)
73: Malachi Troester (10 - 5'9 - 205 - OL/DL)
74: Landon Barnett (10 - 5'6 - 205 - OL/DL)
75: Flynn Arnett (11 - 5'8 - 220 - OL/DL)
76: Wyatt Neumann (12 - 6'2 - 218 - OL/DL)
77: Kenny Weber (10 - 5'10 - 227 - OL/DL)

Head Coach: Matt Furlong
Assistant Coaches: Bob Thomas, Brian Hofer, Mike Harrington, Brad Monier, Carl Freeman, Nick Verbeck, John Kroener, Jeremy Mosier, Nate Ackert, Mitch Munda, & Matt Simosky
Trainer: Matt Kelly
Strength & Conditioning: Angelo James
Assistant Trainers: Bella Bailey ,Zara Anderson, Graycn DeShane, & Jordyn Miller
Ball Boys: Lincoln Babcock, Bryant Furlong, & James Kroener

Freshmen
 2: Jack Snook
 3: Martez Sefton
 5: Wyatt Mickley
 7: Jett Znamenacek
10: Owen Jacobi
11: Callen Black
12: Kayden Rusk
14: Tad Moore
16: William Henry
17: Eli Cotty
19: Kasen Mosier
22: Matthew Krause
24: Cameron Proehl
25: Ben Schnowske
27: Emmett Hill
33: Ben Simosky
37: Davin Deboef
38: JW Seals
44: James Mackenzie
51: Owen Pollock
54: Adam Sneed
57: Kellan Miller
64: Alex Darnall
66: KaVon Kimmins
69: Easton Hornback
79: Sawyer Fortsythe
89: Issac Ropp

BRAKEdown - From One End to the Other, Leafs Got Better

By Keith Brake
Geneseo Current

I thought the Maple Leafs had that “playoff look” - a certain kind of confidence – when they took the field and went through warmups at DePaul College Prep's field on Saturday.

They belonged on that stage. So did DePaul, obviously, as the Chicago Catholic League team went on to score a 38-13 victory.

This Geneseo team had earned this moment, to go out and play a formidable opponent, in a second round Class 4A playoff game.

“Well, we wished for a different outcome, of course,” said Geneseo Coach Matt Furlong.

The Leafs trailed 31-7 at halftime.

“We challenged the guys at halftime,” Furlong said. “A lot of teams might have shut down at that point. But I'm proud of how the guys finished the game,” he said.

DePaul outscored Geneseo just 7-6 in the second half. Jack Mickley intercepted two passes after halftime, and Kye Weinzierl ran under a touchdown pass from Jackson McAvoy.

“We had a happy mindset coming out of this,” Furlong said. “A lot of good things are ahead. Our kids are buying into what we (coaches) are saying.”

Furlong had hoped DePaul wouldn't figure out Geneseo's option right away. DePaul drove for an opening score, then the Leafs got the kickoff out to their own 13.

Here came the option. Quarterback Jaclspm McAvoy faked a dive play, then pitched out to Kye Weinzierl. The edge was set, Weinzierl cut, got a perfect downfield block and raced just over 70 yards before being knocked out of bounds.

Second play: Touchdown pass to tight end Carter Holke, and it's a 7-7 game in a suddenly silent stadium.

DePaul jammed the option the next time the Leafs ran it, but they didn't have it totally figured out. I think I counted five times where the Rams were called for being offside on subsequent option plays.

I guess losing five yards is better than losing 70 or more on a long run.

DePaul was quick to recover in general.

“Their offense was a way to showcase their talents,” Furlong said.

They had an athletic quarterback who saw the field well and got the ball to players who found open areas.

'And their defenders looked like college football players. Not always real big, but fast and explosive,” the coach said.

The Leafs had four turnovers in their first 10 times with the football.

“DePaul is well-coached,” Furlong said. “They attacked some vulnerabilities we had.”

“It was the first time all season DePaul had faced a team that took snaps from under the center,” Furlong said. “You could see their wheels were spinning a little.”

“We played extremely well at times, but we were not consistent.”

So . . . did the Leafs improve from one end of the season to the other?

“Without a doubt,” Furlong said. “Our mental makeup improved, our willingness to play for each other, our belief in our teammates – we got all of that going.”

Going forward, the coach said his players must devote themselves to building in the weight room. “Strength and explosiveness will transfer onto the field,” said Furlong.

“The trend these days is to focus on one sport,” he said. “Most of our guys do one or two others – and that is what we want.”

“The other thing is to build culturally. We want our guys to learn leadership skills, in football and athletics in general. They'll be able to use those skills in high school and in other areas of their lives.”

Green Machine Bows Out In Round 2, DePaul Wins 38-13

November 9 - 4A 2nd Round - DePaul College Prep
Chicago (DePaul) 38 Green Machine 13

Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
DP - Nick Martinez yard run (PAT) (0-7)
G - Carter Holke 12 yard pass from Jackson McAvoy (Holke PAT) (7-7)
DP - Braden Peevy 21 yard pass from Fernando Rodriguez (PAT) (7-14)

2nd Quarter
DP - Michael Casper 1 yard run (PAT) (7-21)
DP - Emmett Mccue 36 yard FG (7-24)
DP - Rodriguez 1 yard run (PAT) (7-31)

3rd Quarter
No Scoring

4th Quarter
G - Kye Weinzierl 16 yard pass from McAvoy (2PT Failed) (13-31)
DP - Nicholas Hathcoat 22 yard pass from Rodriguez (PAT) (13-38)

Green Machine at Chicago DePaul This Saturday, Get Your Tickets Here

November 9 - 1:00pm - 4A 2nd Round - DePaul College Prep High School
Green Machine (6-4) at Chicago (DePaul College Prep) (7-3)

Tickets - https://gofan.co/event/2180553?schoolId=IHSA
Watch - http://wb6network.com/

 

Chicago (DePaul College Prep) Rams
Conference:  Chicago Catholic League (CCL/ESCC)
Classification Enrollment: 833
2023 Record: 4-5
2024 Record: 7-3

2024 Schedule & Results
Chicago DePaul 35 Deerfield 28
Chicago DePaul 35 Woodstock (Marian) 7
Chicago DePaul 20 Chicago Heights (Marian) 7
Chicago DePaul 41 Chicago (St. Patrick) 0
Wilmette (Loyola) 35 Chicago DePaul 7
Chicago DePaul 39 Arlington Heights (St. Viator) 23
Chicago DePaul 25 Mundelein (Carmel) 22
Wheaton (St. Francis) 41 Chicago DePaul 38
Lisle (Benet) 31 Chicago DePaul 24
4A Round 1
Chicago DePaul 48 Chicago (Dyett) 8

Playoff History (15-11)
Known As Gordon Tech
1974 (5A)
Won-Hinsdale (Central) 22-14
Won-Homewoodd-Flossmoor 17-16
Lost-East St. Louis 46-0

1980 (6A)
Won-Winnetka (New Trier East) 14-0
Won-Buffalo Grove 13-7
Won-Chicago (Lane) 15-8
Won-Burbank (Reavis) 6-0
(1980 6A State Champions)

1983 (6A)
Lost-Berwyn (Morton West) 8-7

1985 (6A)
Won-Chicago (Lane) 19-13
Won-Winnetka (New Trier) 7-0
Won-Oak Park-River Forest 155-6
Lost-Chicago (Brother Rice) 20-14

1986 (6A)
Lost-Chicago (Marist) 27-0

1988 (6A)
Won-Chicago (Senn) 32-14
Lost-Chicago (St. Rita) 27-6

1989 (6A)
Lost-Chicago (Lane) 21-14

1990 (6A)
Won-Chicago (Whitney Young) 26-0
Lost-Evanston 18-17

1992 (6A)
Won-Chicago (Schurz) 34-0
Lost-Park Ridge (Maine South) 14-6

2004 (5A)
Lost-Country Club Hills (Hillcrest) 49-33

2005 (5A)
Won-Chicago (Crane) 40-0
Won-Midlothian (Bremen) 21-13
Lost-North Chicago 36-18

Known As DePaul College Prep
2015 (3A)
Lost-Elmwood-Brimfield 40-0

2024 (4A)
Won- Chicago (Dyett) 48-8

4A Bracket - North 2nd Round Schedule
#16 Geneseo (6-4) at #9 Chicago (DePaul) (7-3)
#4 West Chicago (Wheaton Academy) (9-1) at #12 Burbank (St. Laurence) (7-3)
#7 Coal City (8-2) at #15 Rockford (Boylan) (6-4)
#6 Chicago (Ag Science) (8-2) at #3 Dixon (9-1)

4A Bracket - South 2nd Round Schedule
#1 Breese (Central) (10-0) at #9 Murphysboro (8-2)
#13 Peoria (Notre Dame) (6-4) at #12 Mt. Zion (7-3)
#2 Olney (Richland County) (10-0) at #10 Normal (University) (8-2)
#6 Cahokia (8-2) at #3 Waterloo (9-1)

4A Bracket - North 1st Round Results
#16 Geneseo (6-4) 42 #1 Chicago (Sullivan) (9-1) 0
#9 Chicago (DePaul) (7-3) 48 #8 Chicago (Dyett) (7-3) 8
#4 West Chicago (Wheaton Academy) (9-1) 55 #13 Sandwich (5-5) 19
#12 Burbank (St. Laurence) (7-3) 35 #5 Richmond-Burton (7-3) 17

#15 Rockford (Boylan) (6-4) 26 #2 Chicago (South Shore) (9-1) 0
#7 Coal City (8-2) 41 #10 Johnsburg (6-4) 13
#3 Dixon (9-1) 35 #14 Marengo (5-5) 14
#6 Chicago (Ag Science) (8-2) 22 #11 Chicago (Clemente) (6-4) 12

4A Bracket - South
#1 Breese (Central) (10-0) 42 #16 Harrisburg (5-5) 7
#9 Murphysboro (8-2) 56 #8 Macomb (7-3) 33
#13 Peoria (Notre Dame) (6-4) 59 #4 Rochester (7-3) 58
#12 Mt. Zion (7-3) 42 #5 Carterville (7-3) 21

#2 Olney (Richland County) (10-0) 41 #15 Kewanee (5-5) 14
#10 Normal (University) (8-2) 41 #7 Manteno (7-3) 14
#3 Waterloo (9-1) 33 #14 Taylorville (5-5) 30
#6 Cahokia (7-2) 30 #11 Columbia (6-3) 17

BRAKEdown - Fun in Chicago, So We Get to Go Back

By Keith Brake
Geneseo Current

It's nice, isn't it, when you can drive into Chicago and back and be able to say, “We got just what we went for”?

The Maple Leafs did exactly that on Saturday, Nov. 2, beating first round playoff opponent Chicago Sullivan, 42-0.

The record will show that the #16 seed (Leafs) in the Class 4A northern Illinois bracket took down the #1 seed, a 9-0 Sullivan team that counted 22 uniformed players with seven two-way starters, so make no mistake, this was no upset.

We've discussed why in an earlier column – but we can say it was Geneseo's 77th overall playoff win – and the first one since 2015.

So, let's call it . . . historic.

“I'm happy for the kids,” said Geneseo Coach Matt Furlong.

The Leafs had their 42-0 lead by halftime, then finished the entire second half with JV players and freshmen. Clearly, they played well, too.

“Overall we executed well,” Furlong said. “We had some big plays where we got out to the perimeter and set the edge,” the coach said. “We hit a couple of downfield shots, too.”

“It went how it should have. We wanted to play physical and fast and knew that if we did, things should go well.”

Now, it's on to round two but back to Chicago for something completely different: DePaul College Prep, a Chicago Catholic League team.

The Rams are 7-3, with the losses to Wheaton St. Francis, Lisle Benet Academy and a national name, Loyola Academy. Except for Loyola, most DePaul games have been close.

The Rams have been able to put points on the board.

“They use a spread offense with a lot of stuff and formations,” Furlong said.

“The quarterback is dynamic; moves and scrambles well,” said the coach. “It's a quality offense.”

“Defensively, I don't think they've played many teams like us that get the snap from under center. We would like to establish the run early and hope it takes them a while to figure out our option.”

“When we get our running game established, it it gives us big play capability,” Furlong said.

“Against a quality team like this, we need great preparation on pre-snap things – making sure we're aligned right, and know and understand our assignments. If we do this, it will allow us to play 'free' at the snap,” the coach said.

“And that will be huge,” he added.

“Defensively, we need to eliminate the big play,” he said. “Controlling the football and eliminating turnovers will help that.”

Furlong said last week “was another good week of development for our players.”

And this will undoubtedly be another one. These extra weeks together after the regular season are simply invaluable to a football program.

THE GAME – kicks off at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, at DePaul College Prep's on-campus stadium. The school, with an enrollment of 833, is at 3333 N. Rockwell St., on Chicago's near north side.

“I think we drove right past it on our way up to the Sullivan game,” Furlong said. The stadium, not too far west of Lake Michigan, is relatively new, with a stated capacity of 1,800.

Last week, Leafs fans traveled well and greatly out-numbered those cheering for Sullivan. Geneseo TV announcer Denny Diericx mentioned that a Geneseo crew had to be recruited to work the chains . . .and, my estimate of 8,000 seats at Winnemac Stadium was grossly overstated, but it was plenty big and it was a nice setting for a high school game in Chicago, just like Coach Furlong said it was.

Green Machine Crushes Sullivan, Advances To Round 2

November 2 - 4A 1st Round - Winnemac Stadium - Chicago
Green Machine (6-4) 42 Chicago Sullivan (9-1) 0

Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
G-Kye Weinzierl 25 yard run (Carter Holke PAT) (7-0)
G-Malaki Jackson 11 yard run (Holke PAT) (14-0)
G-Holke 21 yard pass from Jackson McAvoy (Holke PAT) (21-0)

2nd Quarter
G-Kolten Schmoll-Burton 7 yard run (Holke PAT) (28-0)
G-Schmoll-Burton 11 yard run (Holke PAT) (35-0)
G-Weinzierl 31 yard pass from McAvoy (Holke PAT) (42-0)

3rd & 4th Quarters
No Scoring

Next Up
November 9 - 1:00pm - 4A 2nd Round - DePaul College Prep High School
Green Machine (6-4) at Chicago (DePaul College Prep) (7-3)

Tickets - https://gofan.co/event/2180553?schoolId=IHSA
Watch - http://wb6network.com/

 

Chicago (DePaul College Prep) Rams
Conference:  Chicago Catholic League (CCL/ESCC)
Classification Enrollment: 833
2023 Record: 4-5
2024 Record: 7-3

2024 Schedule & Results
Chicago DePaul 35 Deerfield 28
Chicago DePaul 35 Woodstock (Marian) 7
Chicago DePaul 20 Chicago Heights (Marian) 7
Chicago DePaul 41 Chicago (St. Patrick) 0
Wilmette (Loyola) 35 Chicago DePaul 7
Chicago DePaul 39 Arlington Heights (St. Viator) 23
Chicago DePaul 25 Mundelein (Carmel) 22
Wheaton (St. Francis) 41 Chicago DePaul 38
Lisle (Benet) 31 Chicago DePaul 24
4A Round 1
Chicago DePaul 48 Chicago (Dyett) 8

Playoff History (15-11)
Known As Gordon Tech
1974 (5A)
Won-Hinsdale (Central) 22-14
Won-Homewoodd-Flossmoor 17-16
Lost-East St. Louis 46-0

1980 (6A)
Won-Winnetka (New Trier East) 14-0
Won-Buffalo Grove 13-7
Won-Chicago (Lane) 15-8
Won-Burbank (Reavis) 6-0
(1980 6A State Champions)

1983 (6A)
Lost-Berwyn (Morton West) 8-7

1985 (6A)
Won-Chicago (Lane) 19-13
Won-Winnetka (New Trier) 7-0
Won-Oak Park-River Forest 155-6
Lost-Chicago (Brother Rice) 20-14

1986 (6A)
Lost-Chicago (Marist) 27-0

1988 (6A)
Won-Chicago (Senn) 32-14
Lost-Chicago (St. Rita) 27-6

1989 (6A)
Lost-Chicago (Lane) 21-14

1990 (6A)
Won-Chicago (Whitney Young) 26-0
Lost-Evanston 18-17

1992 (6A)
Won-Chicago (Schurz) 34-0
Lost-Park Ridge (Maine South) 14-6

2004 (5A)
Lost-Country Club Hills (Hillcrest) 49-33

2005 (5A)
Won-Chicago (Crane) 40-0
Won-Midlothian (Bremen) 21-13
Lost-North Chicago 36-18

Known As DePaul College Prep
2015 (3A)
Lost-Elmwood-Brimfield 40-0

2024 (4A)
Won- Chicago (Dyett) 48-8

4A Bracket - North 2nd Round Schedule
#16 Geneseo (6-4) at #9 Chicago (DePaul) (7-3)
#4 West Chicago (Wheaton Academy) (9-1) at #12 Burbank (St. Laurence) (7-3)
#7 Coal City (8-2) at #15 Rockford (Boylan) (6-4)
#6 Chicago (Ag Science) (8-2) at #3 Dixon (9-1)

4A Bracket - South 2nd Round Schedule
#1 Breese (Central) (10-0) at #9 Murphysboro (8-2)
#13 Peoria (Notre Dame) (6-4) at #12 Mt. Zion (7-3)
#2 Olney (Richland County) (10-0) at #10 Normal (University) (8-2)
#6 Cahokia (8-2) at #3 Waterloo (9-1)

4A Bracket - North 1st Round Results
#16 Geneseo (6-4) 42 #1 Chicago (Sullivan) (9-1) 0
#9 Chicago (DePaul) (7-3) 48 #8 Chicago (Dyett) (7-3) 8
#4 West Chicago (Wheaton Academy) (9-1) 55 #13 Sandwich (5-5) 19
#12 Burbank (St. Laurence) (7-3) 35 #5 Richmond-Burton (7-3) 17

#15 Rockford (Boylan) (6-4) 26 #2 Chicago (South Shore) (9-1) 0
#7 Coal City (8-2) 41 #10 Johnsburg (6-4) 13
#3 Dixon (9-1) 35 #14 Marengo (5-5) 14
#6 Chicago (Ag Science) (8-2) 22 #11 Chicago (Clemente) (6-4) 12

4A Bracket - South
#1 Breese (Central) (10-0) 42 #16 Harrisburg (5-5) 7
#9 Murphysboro (8-2) 56 #8 Macomb (7-3) 33
#13 Peoria (Notre Dame) (6-4) 59 #4 Rochester (7-3) 58
#12 Mt. Zion (7-3) 42 #5 Carterville (7-3) 21

#2 Olney (Richland County) (10-0) 41 #15 Kewanee (5-5) 14
#10 Normal (University) (8-2) 41 #7 Manteno (7-3) 14
#3 Waterloo (9-1) 33 #14 Taylorville (5-5) 30
#6 Cahokia (7-2) 30 #11 Columbia (6-3) 17

Green Machine At Chicago Sullivan, Ticket Info & More

November 2 - 1:00pm - 4A 1st Round - Winnemac Stadium
#16 Green Machine (5-4) at #1 Chicago Sullivan (9-0).
Gates open at 12:00.

Tickets - https://gofan.co/event/2123829?schoolId=IHSA
Watch - http://wb6network.com/

 

Chicago (Sullivan) Tigers
Conference: CPL White-North
Classification Enrollment: 580
2023 Record: 4-5
2024 Record: 9-0

2024 Schedule & Results
Chicago Sullivan 57 Chicago (Uplift) 0
Chicago Sullivan 30 Chicago (Phoenix) 16
Chicago Sullivan 12 Chicago (Curie) 6
Chicago Sullivan 14 Chicago (Lake View) 0
Chicago Sullivan 26 Chicago (Crane) 8
Chicago Sullivan 20 Chicago (UP/Bronzeville) 6
Chicago Sullivan 26 Chicago (Senn) 0
Chicago Sullivan 6 Chicago (North Lawndale Charter) 0
Chicago Sullivan 12 Chicago (Mather) 0

Playoff History (0-16)
1979 (4A): Lost-Norridge (Ridgewood) 40-8
1980 (4A): Lost-Cary-Grove 26-8
1981 (4A): Lost-Richton Park (Rich South) 34-12
1982 (4A): Lost-Olympia Fields (Rich Central) 28-0
1984 (4A): Lost-Lisle (Benet) 24-0
1985 (4A): Lost-Elmwood Park 28-0
1988 (4A): Lost-Midlothian (Bremen) 18-14
1989 (4A): Lost-Oak Lawn (Richards) 45-12
1990 (4A): Lost-Midlothian (Bremen) 34-6
1991 (5A): Lost-Skokie (Niles West) 33-8
1994 (5A): Lost-Park Ridge (Maine South) 23-0
2017 (4A): Lost-Norridge (Ridgewood) 49-14
2018 (4A): Lost-Marengo 47-20
2019 (4A): Lost-Elmhurst (IC Catholic) 28-0
2021 (4A): Lost-Richmond-Burton 56-0
2022 (4A): Lost-Chicago (UP/Bronzeville) 32-6

4A Bracket - North
#16 Geneseo (5-4) at #1 Chicago (Sullivan) (9-0)
#9 Chicago (DePaul) (6-3) at #8 Chicago (Dyett) (7-2)
#13 Sandwich(5-4) at #4 West Chicago (Wheaton Academy) (8-1)
#12 Burbank (St. Laurence) (6-3) a #5 Richmond-Burton (7-2)

#15 Rockford (Boylan) (5-4) at #2 Chicago (South Shore) (9-0)
#10 Johnsburg (6-3) at #7 Coal City (7-2)
#14 Marengo (5-4) at #3 Dixon (8-1)
#11 Chicago (Clemente) (6-2) at #6 Chicago (Ag Science) (7-2)

4A Bracket - South
#16 Harrisburg (5-4) at #1 Breese (Central) (9-0)
#9 Murphysboro (7-2) at #8 Macomb (7-2)
#13 Peoria (Notre Dame) (5-4) at #4 Rochester (7-2)
#12 Mt. Zion (6-3) at #5 Carterville (7-2)

#15 Kewanee (5-4) at #2 Olney (Richland County) (9-0)
#10 Normal (University) (7-2) at #7 Manteno (7-2)
#14 Taylorville (5-4) at #3 Waterloo (8-1)
#11 Columbia (6-3) at #6 Cahokia (7-2)