Geneva routs St. Charles East, clinches share of DuKane Conference title

ST. CHARLES – After starting in low gear, Geneva upshifted its passing game for a 49-14 DuKane Conference win over St. Charles East on Oct. 18 at Norris Stadium.

Geneva’s offense racked up 332 yards, 269 coming in the air. Vikings quarterback Anthony Chahino completed 15-of-24 passes for 264 yards. Six of the passes went for touchdowns.

Wide receiver Talyn Taylor scored a personal game-high four touchdowns, three on Chahino passes and one on a 90-yard kickoff return.

With both starting quarterback Jesse Padron and backup Samuel Faidley out with injuries, defensive back Sean Keegan commanded the Saints’ offense on senior night. Keegan (17 carries for 87 yards) scored both of St. Charles East’s touchdowns.

Chahino completed only 4-of-8 passes in the first quarter.

“I started off the game way slower than I wanted to. We looked some things over, reviewed my tape and I got back on my feet and took what the St. Charles East defense would give me,” Chahino said.

Geneva (8-0, 6-0) limited St. Charles East to 214 total yards.

The Vikings clinched no worse than a share of the DuKane Conference title heading into this week’s regular-season finale against St. Charles North.

“St. Charles East did a nice job with their Wildcat formation, but we were able to stop their run,” Geneva coach Boone Thorgesen said. “We got our reads right and executed. The boys did a really nice job doing those things.”

Geneva capitalized on great field position to score two quick first-quarter touchdowns. The Vikings started their second drive on St. Charles East’s 16-yard line. On the second play, Chahino found Will Peterson in the end zone for a 13-yard TD pass.

The Vikings’ next drive started on the Saints’ 33-yard line. On the first play, Chahino connected with Taylor (four catches for 122 yards) for a 33-yard touchdown strike.

St. Charles East (2-6, 2-4) halved Geneva’s lead 19 seconds into the second quarter on Keegan’s 38-yard keeper. The Vikings wasted no time returning the margin to two scores. On the ensuing kickoff, Taylor caught Jayden Hodgdon’s kick at the 10-yard line and scampered 90 yards down the left sideline for a touchdown.

“I was set up on the right side. They kicked it to me. I powered left and took it all the way to the left side and scored,” said Taylor, a Georgia recruit.

The Vikings closed out the first-half scoring with two more Chahino TD passes, a 10-yarder to Finnegan Weppner and a 26-yarder to Bennett Konkey (five catches for 74 yards) for a 35-7 halftime lead.

Chahino completed 4-of-5 passes in the third quarter, including two to Taylor for touchdowns. Taylor ended the Vikings’ first drive of the second half crossing the goal line on a 44-yard pass. With 3:59 left to play in the quarter, Taylor made a leaping catch in the end zone for a 37-yard TD pass and 49-7 Geneva advantage.

Reserve Brock Phillip replaced Chahino for the fourth quarter.

St. Charles East’s second TD came on Keegan’s 21-yard pass to Vincent Armato at the 6:11 mark of the fourth quarter.

“Sean was unbelievable. He played defense all year long. He was told on Monday that he’s a starting quarterback and he played out of his mind,” St. Charles East coach Nolan Possley said.

https://www.dailyherald.com/20241018/prep-football/geneva-routs-st-charles-east-clinches-share-of-dukane-title/