Geneseo ground game poses challenge

Walther Lutheran's David Tuomi carries the ball during a game against Wheaton Academy. The Broncos open the state playoffs Saturday against Geneseo.
(Tamara Bell/Staff Photographer)

Font Size

Email

Bookmark

Black Text

White Text

The two game films requested by Geneseo football coach Larry Johnsen were picked for specific reasons.

Johnsen wanted to view film on the nonconference game played in Week 2 between Walther Lutheran and Immaculate Conception.

Johnsen may have noticed from the stats on the Walther school Web site that IC was able to rush the ball for 400-plus yards against the Broncos on that afternoon.

How that was accomplished will be helpful when putting together a game plan for a first-round Class 4A playoff tilt when Geneseo hosts Walther at 1 p.m. Saturday.

The Maple Leafs (6-3) are predominantly a ground-oriented offense, having rushed the ball 363 times this season, while putting it in the air fewer than 90.

The ground game received a boost with the return in Week 8 of fullback Jason Johnson, who had been sidelined for six weeks with mononucleosis.

Geneseo also relies on Colin Akers, Jake Ballegeer, Logan Patton, Zach Hungate and Luke Lembke to move the ball on the ground.

"They remind me a lot of (run-oriented and last year's first round opponent) Mendota," Walther coach Bruce Tuomi said. "They (Geneseo) like to grind it out and jam it down your throat. They are very big up front from what we can see on the film. It's a fundamentally sound team."

Geneseo finished third behind Sterling and Streator in the NCAC standings. The three losses were to Quincy Notre Dame (7-0), Sterling (31-14) and Streator (28-17).

The other film handed over to Geneseo was the season finale for Walther against Chicago Christian.

The Maple Leafs could play Chicago Christian in the second round if they get past the Broncos (6-3).

Geneseo has a rich tradition in football, having won four state titles (1976, 1977, 1978, 1982). They placed second in four other seasons (1981, 1990, 1992, 1993).

The Maple Leafs qualified for the playoffs for the 13th consecutive season and 33rd time overall.

The Broncos are also not a stranger to playoff football, having qualified for the 17th consecutive season.

Walther would like to stick around the playoff picture a little longer this season after suffering first-round losses in five of the last six years.

The Broncos prefer to run the football as well but not quite to the extent of Geneseo.

The Maple Leafs will need to deal with Walther senior running back Brandon Sims, who rushed for 1,200 yards this season. He has 24 touchdowns on the ground and five through the air.

"If we can get Brandon going it will allow us to throw the ball some," Tuomi said.