Ratay keys Geneva's win over Rolling Meadows

Geneva coach Rob Wicinski said that his team’s win “wasn’t one of the prettiest we’ve had.” But it followed a proven formula of Michael Ratay and a stingy defense.

Ratay ran for a quiet 238 yards and three touchdowns as as the No. 1 seeded Vikings knocked off visiting Rolling Meadows 27-7 Saturday in a first-round Class 7A playoff game.

“We didn’t know what to expect, but they were a very hard team,” Ratay said. “They were hitting on every play and they never gave up.”

Leading 7-0 at halftime, Ratay found the end zone from three yards out to push the lead to 14-0. It was set up by a 42-yard screen pass and run from Brandon Beitzel to Ratay.

After a stop, a short punt was caught by Michael Santacaterina, who had a full head of steam and got the ball to the Mustangs’ 26. Beitzel capped the short drive with a 20-yard scoring pass to Jason Holmes that put Geneva up 20-0.

“Brandon came up with huge plays for us,” said Ratay, who carried 28 times. “The offensive line made some big holes and their secondary was making tackles. As long as we come out on top on the scoreboard, I’m happy.”

Rolling Meadows got on the board with 7:21 to play on a 10-yard pass from Jim Grappolo to Mick Viken. Ratay capped the scoring with a 26-yard scoring run.

No. 5 Geneva is probably not going to be an opponent of choice in the early rounds of the state playoffs. The Vikings are now 11-0 in first-round games and they are 8-2 in the second round. After a touchback on the opening kickoff, the Mustangs (5-5) put together a 14-play drive. They got down to the Geneva 10, but on fourth-and-four, Grappolo was sacked by Bret Shannon and Trey Hemming.

“This is the playoffs,” Wicinski said. “It is the way football is supposed to be. We had to catch up the the speed a little, made a couple adjustments and didn’t panic.”

After that drive, Geneva’s defense and Hofstetter didn’t give up much. Geneva was playing without one of its best defenders, junior Frank Boenzi, who is expected back next week after sitting with mononucleosis. Rich MacDonald replaced him.

“After the first series, we started blitzing off the outside a lot,” said Cory Hofstetter, who had 11 tackles and two sacks. “Richie stepped in and did a great job for us.”

The Vikings finally got on the board late in the half with a 66-yard scoring drive. Ratay had 57 yards rushing on the drive and scored from nine yards out.

The ensuing squib kick was recovered by Geneva’s Brandon Lee at the Mustangs’ 33. But the Vikings couldn’t move the ball and punted.