GENEVA–Geneva scored 21 unanswered points to defeat visiting Madison, 21-14, in an unofficial Chagrin Valley Conference Lake Division title game on Friday.
The Eagles, who improved to 8-1 overall and 4-0 in league play, trailed 14-0 before scoring a touchdown in the second quarter and a pair of scores in the third to seal their win.
“Madison was hitting us in our soft spots, and we had to adjust,” said Geneva head coach Donald Shymske. “After talking to the guys, we were able to do it. It was more about getting our feet under us and responding to adversity.”
Madison struck first when Will Randall completed passes to Patrick Clark and Mac Steele to set up a 12-yard touchdown pass to Alexander Davis.
A Tyler Alley interception set up Madison’s second touchdown.
After Knolan Albert recorded an 18-yard reception and Chase White ran for 26 yards down to the Geneva 20, Randall threw his second TD of the night, a 20-yarder to Davis that gave the Blue Streaks a 14-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
“I was excited about (the fast start),” said Madison head coach Mike Gilligan. “(Throwing the ball) was a part of our game plan, and we hoped it would open up the run game. But the run game never got going, and to beat a team like Geneva, you need to be able to run the ball.”
Luke Barbo put the Eagles on the board with an 18-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter and Geneva tied the game when Caden Proy ran for an eight-yard touchdown on the Eagles’ first drive of the second half.
With the ball back, Hayden Diemer ripped off a 19-yard run to flip the field before catching a Barbo screen pass and taking it 34 yards to paydirt for the go-ahead score.
“All the credit goes to my offensive coordinator,” Shymske said. “He just saw something, and Hayden’s a playmaker. He made a great play.”
The Eagles’ defense prevailed after giving up two early scores, with a Proy interception, Dominic Palmisano’s fumble recovery, and Tanner Hines’ fumble recovery keeping the Blue Streaks off the field.
“We had a couple of tough series,” Shymske said. “But we trust our scheme, our defensive line was able to get some pressure, and we came up with some big turnovers to keep Madison off the field.”
Geneva, ranked eighth in Division III, Region 9, earned a win over Madison, ranked 10th in DIII, Region 9, while also wrapping up the conference title.
“(This win’s) definitely special,” Shymske said. “It’s a group of guys I’ve been around since they were young. Having my kids on the team and watching them grow up, it’s a special moment.”
Bryce Peet led the Eagles ground game with 68 yards on 17 rushes, while Barbo had 12 carries for 71 yards and a touchdown.
Proy pitched in with 28 yards and a touchdown on nine attempts, while Diemer racked up 106 scrimmage yards on 10 touches with a receiving touchdown.
After the loss, Madison’s focus is to rebound in Week 10 to generate some momentum heading into the postseason.
“It starts tomorrow,” Gilligan said. “It’s all about the response to this loss. If we want to beat good teams, we have to figure out how to eliminate mistakes. That’s what we’re going to work on, and hopefully be ready to roll for Week 11.”
Randall completed 18-of-26 passes for 191 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception.
Davis pulled in seven passes for 65 yards and two touchdowns, Steele had 59 yards on seven catches, while Clark had three receptions for 43 yards.
Geneva wraps up the regular season when it visits Jefferson, while Madison visits Conneaut in Week 10.
