Vikings dominate in league opener

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YORKVILLE - When the balloon exploded it took hopes of an upset along with it.

Forced to punt from its own 48-yard line, Yorkville punter Will Parker dropped one that was downed at the Geneva 9.

The Vikings, favored to win the Western Sun Conference, were suddenly pinned deep in their own territory. It was only momentary.

On Geneva's first play from there, tailback Michael Ratay took a handoff from quarterback Brandon Beitzel, found a gaping hole on the left side of Yorkville's defensive line, broke to the sidelines and raced 91 yards for a touchdown and the Vikings (3-0 overall, 1-0 in the WSC) coasted to a 41-6 victory.

"It was a big hole, I don't even think I was touched on that one," Ratay said of the score. "I just found the hole and kept running - don't look back and just run."

"I've seen that happen so many times," Geneva head coach Rob Wicinski said. "You think they have got you pinned and then there's a little crease."

Geneva's huge offensive line of tackles John McNeil (260) and Anthony Miller (305), guards Bryse Biel (240) and Greg Gregory (245) and center Anthony Strauss (275), opened huge creases in the Yorvkille (1-2, 0-1) defense all night long.

Ratay played only the first half but carried 22 times for 242 yards and touchdown scampers of 91, 2, 6, 2 and 31 yards.

Obviously, the Vikings remembered a year ago when the Foxes nearly pulled a shocker, taking Geneva to the limit before the Vikings walked off a 27-24 winner.

"Last year they gave us a pretty good scare," Ratay said. "We really wanted to come out of the gates and pound it and I think we did that this game."

In fact, the Vikings totally dominated on both sides of the ball. Until Tyler Probst scored on a 32-yard run with 50 seconds remaining, Yorkville had negative 32 yards on offense. The Vikings, paced by Ratay's 242, rushed for 385 yards.

Geneva defensive tackle Frank Boenzi opened the second half by picking up a Yorkville fumble and rumbling 20 yards for a touchdown and a 41-0 lead. Wicinski pulled most of his starters, including Ratay, after that.

"I always want to play," Ratay said.

No need, he had already done enough.

Geneva 41, Yorkville 6