Gaspari-to-Peskind gets Bulldogs into playoffs

Updated: March 22, 2011 5:16PM

No one has been more invested in Batavia quarterback Noel Gaspari's future than father and coach Mike Gaspari.

No one Saturday morning was more invested in winning and prolonging his dad's 26-year career, at least for one more game, than the junior, who threw for four touchdowns and rushed for another in a 50-0 win over Streamwood that pushed the Bulldogs into the playoffs.

"More importantly (than me), it's about these kids and the fact that we really struggled last year," the elder Gaspari said. "For them to come back and get in the playoffs, it's a monumental thing. It's tough for kids this age because a lot of negative things start to be said. The kids handled it great, worked very hard from the time the season ended last year and our senior leadership this year has just been extraordinary."

Gaspari hit David Peskind from 24-yards out on a wheel route and Cole Gardner on a 1-yard role out for the game's first two scores.

"We knew what was at stake," Peskind said. "We knew how their defense played and we knew (the pass) would be open all day. We just took advantage of what we had."

Gaspari's came back in the second quarter and hit Joe Sortino for a 28-yard touchdown on fourth-and-18 before finding Peskind again with a seven-yard strike.

Gaspari's added an 18-yard rushing touchdown right before halftime, following one of two interceptions by Sabres' quarterback Dalton Lundeen, giving the Bulldogs (5-4, 4-2) a 36-0 lead at the break.

"We knew we were 4-4," Noel said. "We had to throw, run, come out and play our game. We basically did all that today. Geneva threw on them and they have a big running back. We thought if we went five-spread and destroyed them on the passing game we could get them in the running game too."

Batavia prevailed Streamwood (2-7, 0-6) in every statistical category except penalties. The Bulldogs had 19 first downs to the Sabres' five, gained 454 yards of offense (283 rushing, 171 passing) and held Streamwood to just 16 yards rushing and 72 total yards in a physically dominating performance.

"They're a very physical team and that's kind of hurt us all year," Sabres' coach Cal Cummins said. "The kids are just getting to the point this past year where we're committed to the weight room enough where we can start to compete. Now we have to take it a step more."

Bulldogs running back Austin Lindquist and backup quarterback Brandon O'Kray scored rushing touchdowns in the third quarter as Batavia emptied its bench and celebrated a turnaround from 2-7 a year ago to playoff-eligible this season.

"On a scale of one to 10, it's probably a 15," Peskind said. "We're all real excited about it. Our practice (this week) has to be higher than ever been before. We have to come in prepared like we've never played a game before. It's a whole new season ahead of us."

It's second season for the players, but for Mike Gaspari, the next game could be his swan song.

"I've got a lot of years in me," Gaspari said. "I feel like it's just time to give someone else an opportunity. I had the opportunity as a very young guy and I've done this 26 years. I'm going to be around in some capacity, but it's time for someone else to do this. Selfishly, I could do this forever. I have the energy, I'm still on top of my game for the kids, but it's just time."

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