Kane County Football Notes: Alex Porter, Geneva putting the pieces together, relish big win over Lake Park

Geneva scored just 39 total points during a difficult 0-9 season in 2019.

It took one game – last Friday’s 41-6 win over Lake Park – to surpass that.

“We just work really well together,” said Alex Porter, the Vikings’ junior starting quarterback. “I think all the pieces, especially now...it’s tough because you don’t get your full nine games, but I feel like the first two or three games you’re kind of getting to know yourselves a little bit as a team. I feel like now we’re going to start taking off and I think it’s only going to go up from here.”

“It’s unfortunate we only get six [games], but I feel like we’re connecting a lot on offense,” Porter continued. “...Even if [Lake Park isn’t the strongest team] for us to be able to do that, it was a really big deal for us. I think we’re going to start moving the ball even better than we have been. I think it’s only up from here.”

Porter split reps with Jackson Reyes the first three games of the season, but has emerged as Geneva’s full-time starter. Porter, who played quarterback at the sophomore level in 2019, was waiting in the wings after 2019 varsity starter Hayden McCoy was moved to defensive back following the season.

“I was aware it was going to be a competition between Jackson and I coming into the season,” Porter said. “...Obviously, it’s a lot of hard work and doing stuff in the offseason and practices. It’s something that you have to work hard for. I saw this coming as it was...it was the expected result I guess, so I’m just glad it worked out how it did.”

Team leadership, Porter reflects, is where he’s made his biggest improvement.

“...Even though we have four senior captains, still being able to step up and be almost like a fifth captain with the rest of the team [matters to me] because I’m someone they all respect,” Porter said. “Being able to as a junior to come in and have all the respect from my peers is something that I’ve worked for. It’s nice to have...being a strong leader, it’s been a huge takeaway for me.”

Porter threw three touchdowns last week, two of them to wideout Michael Ignoffo, who returned after missing the second half against Batavia with an ankle injury.

“[The saying goes] ‘speed kills’ and he’s probably our fastest – definitely top two for sure [on our team],” Porter said of Ignoffo. “He’s unbelievably fast and he runs phenomenal routes. So it makes it easy when you’ve got a guy out there, especially on deeper routes...you just know you’ve got to get it out there and you know that he’ll run under the ball and be there.”

“It’s a trust thing, too. So, with time, you build up [chemistry],” Porter continued. “I know what he’s going to do what he’s supposed to on every single play. So, when you trust a guy like that, it makes it a lot easier to connect.”

Ignoffo sees their chemistry “clicking a lot more” as the games have gone on.

“[Porter has] definitely been more of a leader recently. He’s stepped up, especially since he’s taken the starting job and is playing the full game now,” Ignoffo said. “I’d say a [I’m seeing] a lot more consistency, too, in his passes which is good. A lot more confidence now that he’s got that job.”

Ignoffo has 10 catches and four touchdowns on the season.

“I’m very good with my feet, so I’m very shifty,” Ignoffo said. “It definitely helps me with my route running just getting on people and just making that extra move get open and let Porter put the ball out there so I can run under it.”

Trey Urwiler, Batavia reflect on rare loss

Trey Urwiler appeared a little introspective standing on the sideline following Batavia’s stunning 30-7 loss to Wheaton Warrenville South last Friday.

Batavia had six turnovers on offense and its usual juggernaut of a running attack couldn’t find the end zone. It was a tough reality for Urwiler and the 37 seniors who played their final home football game at Batavia.

“Just got to give a lot of credit to Wheaton South,” Urwiler said following the game on Friday. “They played a heck of a football game. They shut down our run game and it made things very difficult. We just didn’t take care of the ball. It’s tough.”

WW South was coming off a close loss to Wheaton North the week before. The Tigers were fired up to enact some revenge on that loss.

“[The Tigers] were fired up for sure,” Urwiler said. “They did their homework for sure. They were calling stuff out, so kudos to them. Really just a great game by them.”