GENEVA—Bryce Peet recorded a ‘hat trick’ in Geneva’s 35-0 win over visiting Lutheran West in the Grape Bowl on Friday.
Peet scored on touchdown runs of four, 16, and one yard in the win clinching his second three-touchdown game of the 2024 campaign.
“I had a lot of goals coming into this season,” Peet said. “I just want to do whatever I can to help the team win. Kudos to the lineman. The hat trick doesn’t happen without them.”
The Grape Bowl began in 1986 to coincide with the City of Geneva’s annual Grape Jamboree.
Geneva’s offense needed just two plays to take control of the game.
A Luke Barbo keeper went for 10 yards and then Caden Proy turned on the afterburners and raced to the end zone on a 51-yard touchdown run to put Geneva on top 7-0.
Lutheran West had an opportunity to point points on the board when quarterback Jace Palmer scampered for a 57-yard gain, but the Longhorns missed a 30-yard field goal try.
Geneva made it 14-0 in the second quarter when Barbo connected with Hayden Diemer on a 16-yard pass and then Proy ripped off another 51-yard run that set up Peet’s four-yard plunge into the end zone.
The Eagle defense set up another Geneva score after Jamil Douglas forced a fumble on his strip sack of Palmer and Ricky DiPetta pounced on the ball.
Deimer caught an 11-yard pass that set up a Barbo to Diemer wheel-route for a 20-yard scoring strike and a 21-0 lead at the break.
Barbo set up Geneva’s fourth touchdown with a 16-yard run and Peet capped the drive with a one-yard touchdown.
Peet closed out the scoring with a 24-yard touchdown run.
Geneva had four different ball carriers with six or more rushes, making its offense a challenge to defend.
“That’s what helps keep the offense moving,” said Geneva head coach Don Shymske. “Having athletes at all those positions helps; it makes it hard for teams to focus on one guy. Teams like to key in on the jet sweep, but we have other things we can do off of that. So having four backs that we feel comfortable carrying the ball helps us move the football.”
The Eagles defense entered the game allowing only seven points per contest and was even stingier against the Longhorns.
“We just have to make sure we’re gap sound and fill our assignments,” Shymske said. “(Palmer) popped (a big run) because we missed a gap. It was nice to put up a goose egg on the scoreboard. We’re keeping things simple and allowing the kids to play fast. That’s what we do. I hang my hat on that, and the kids have responded to every situation so far.”
Peet led the Geneva offense with 14 carries for 81 yards and three scores.
“Bryce is doing an excellent job,” Shymske said of his junior running back. “He’s an exceptionally smart football player, and he’s got one of the highest football IQs of anyone I’ve ever coached. He’s an asset out there. I’m happy he’s had such a great start to the year, and I’d expect him to have a great finish as well.”
Proy rushed six times for 132 yards with one score and Diemer ran for 104 yards on 11 touches with one receiving touchdown.
Barbo picked up 51 yards on six carries and threw for 40 yards and one touchdown.
Lutheran West lost 25 players at the end of last season, making the 2024 season a year of learning.
“You got to go through some hard times to appreciate the great times,” said Lutheran West head coach John Parella. “We just have to play better, but I’m proud of this team. They keep fighting and trying to get better and learn. The tides are going to turn our way eventually.”
One major bright spot for the Longhorns to hang their hats on is how well the team is sticking together and believing that the first win is coming.
“Every day is a joy to coach these great young men,” Parella said. “They come to practice early and do all the right things. As a staff, we just have to find something to hang our hats on on the field for the rest of the year. I’m excited about this team and wish we could play (Madison) tomorrow night. These guys are so positive; hopefully, the big ‘W’ will come for us soon.”
J’Leon Isom carried four times for 21 yards and Palmer had five rushes for 49 yards to lead Lutheran West.
Genea visits Perry next week while Lutheran West will host Madison.
