No debate: Prairie Ridge vs. Batavia figures to be thriller

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Northwest Herald sports editor Eric Olson and Kane County Chronicle sports editor Jay Schwab will be on the call during today’s Game of the Week webcast of the Prairie Ridge vs. Batavia game at 1 p.m. Here is a chat they had before the game:

Eric Olson: OK Jay, so I want to make sure I don’t get lost on the way to Bulldog Stadium today. Basically, I drive down Randall Road until I see windmills, right?

Jay Schwab: That sounds about right. And then make a left when you hear Batavia’s rather vociferous PA guy starting to whip the crowd into hysterics.

EO: Gotcha. I’m really curious to see this game. The Wolves are 11-1 and they’re the best team in McHenry County. They’ve already lost a game, but I’m not so sure they’re going to lose another.

JS: You’re not the only one in an anticipatory state of mind. This is probably the first game this season Batavia is going to take the field not completely sure it is the dominant team going in – not to say that the Bulldogs don’t think they’re going to get it done, because I think they do. But there is no air of invincibility this week on either side.

EO: I’m a bit concerned for the Wolves, and for myself. I hear Batavia likes to throw the ball around, and it’s going to be chilly from now until April. Will this game end before my butt freezes to the bleachers?

JS: You’ll be OK, especially with that 1 p.m. start. Batavia has had a ton of success through the air but they’re not a wild, five-wide spread team like some people assume. The Bulldogs are relatively balanced, and in fact the defining moment of their season might have been the fourth quarter of the Geneva game, with QB Noel Gaspari out with an injury, and the Bulldogs’ line allowing their backs to run it down Geneva’s throat to ice The Game of the Season. Until this week, that is.

EO: That’s a relief. If they run it down the Wolves’ throats, they’ll be the first. This Prairie Ridge defense has been a killer, and it starts with the linebackers in their 3-5-3 defense. They’ve been very good at taking the run away from teams. Last week against Nazareth, they held a 1,000-yard rusher to 5 yards rushing for the game. And they’ve allowed only one offensive TD in the playoffs.

JS: Rest assured, Batavia has taken notice. The Bulldogs are, rightfully, a pretty self-assured bunch, but they recognize this Prairie Ridge team is a different breed on defense, especially those ’backers. I do sense, though, that the ’Dogs like their chances at exposing a hole or two in the Wolves’ secondary. What do you think, have those fellas been tested enough to be prepared for this matchup?

EO: By a team with a top-flight passing game? No. Has Batavia played a good triple-option team yet?

JS: No, this will be a first. Batavia’s defense has been awfully good this season, but you have to know who has the ball before you can square someone up. I’m actually thinking if I assign the yardage to the correct ball-carrier half the time, I’ll be pretty proud of myself. I hear the Wolves are pretty slick at carrying out those fakes.

EO: Yep, it can be tough to tell who has the football. The other trouble for opponents has been that either of the main backs can beat you. Running back Jordan Getzelman has 15 TDs and 1,091 yards rushing on 94 carries. Fullback Connor Greenwald has 860 yards on 130 carries for 13 TDs.

JS: All right, let’s stop beating around the bush here. Are the Wolves serial Champaign flirts, or does the heartbreak end right here and now?

EO: Cut me to the quick, eh? Provided they hold onto the football – which they didn’t do in the semis last year – the Wolves are going to win this one. It’s their third trip in a row to the 6A semifinals, and I think their offense will be able to get them over the hump. This team seems too good to lose twice. I like Prairie Ridge in a wild one, 30-27.

JS: Could well be, but I’m going with Batavia. I just think the Bulldogs do more things well on both sides of the ball, essentially a more complete team. In my mind, the key is how well-prepared Batavia’s defense is for that triple option (no pressure, coaches) because I know the Wolves are exceptional at it and the Bulldogs are going to need a few stops. They’re not going to score at will against a defense like Prairie Ridge’s.
So make it 28-23, SSRqDogs.

EO: OK. Well, somebody’s going to get it right. Hey, one more thing?

JS: No, you can’t have my parking pass.

EO: Darn.