Four Downs: Tony Chahino leads Geneva, record-breaking Johnny O'Brien, Montini's return, Jack Elliott update
Geneva was on everyone’s radar heading into the season. The Vikings have been solid for several years and wide receiver Tayln Taylor, a Georgia recruit, is one of the best players in the country.
So why weren’t the Vikings ranked in the preseason? Well, someone has to get the ball to a receiver and that was Geneva’s question mark.
Tony Chahino answered that query in style. He was a backup to Nate Stempowski the last two seasons while playing fullback and linebacker.
“I sat three years behind [Stempowski] and I learned a lot from him,” Chahino said.”I took a lot out of his game of being able to move around the pocket and mix it with my game of being able to find the receivers and throw the ball.”
Chahino, 6-1, 205-pound senior, was excellent in the Vikings’ 30-7 win at Batavia in Week 6. He was 16-for-29 for 213 yards and 4 TDs.
Geneva snapped a 13-game losing streak against its rivals.
“This is huge,” Chahino said. “Ever since I (first) touched a football, since I've been part of the Geneva Vikings, this is the opportunity, the moment I've been waiting for — to beat Batavia.”
Chahino has a 140.7 QB rating this season. He’s thrown for 1,412 yards and 25 TDs.
The Batavia win is a complete game-changer for the Vikings, who will now be considered one of the top contenders for the Class 6A state title. They still have tough tests remaining this season against Wheaton North and St. Charles North.
Johnny O’Brien beats Mike Tauchman
Fremd quarterback Johnny O’Brien’s breakout season continued in Week 6. The southpaw orchestrated a 56-35 upset of undefeated Barrington.
O’Brien’s 395 passing yards broke Cub Mike Tauchman’s school record of 377 (set in 2008 vs. Palatine), according to John Leusch of the Daily Herald. O’Brien’s five TD passes tied a school record. He also rushed for a TD.
Fremd (6-0) is one of the surprise stories of the season. The Vikings were 3-6 last year. They knocked off Lake Zurich in Week 1 and took down then-undefeated Hoffman Estates in Week 5. Next up is a visit to rival Palatine on Thursday.
Keep an eye on Montini
Montini was 9-3 and advanced to the Class 3A state semifinals last season, losing 26-20 to Byron, which crushed Mt. Carmel, Ill. 69-7 in the title game.
So it is fair to say the Broncos were the second-best team in Class 3A last season. But they’ve receded from the spotlight locally after three consecutive 3-6 seasons from 2020-2022.
Coach Mike Bukovsky’s team opened some eyes Week 6 with a 34-16 win against Carmel, which was highly regarded in the preseason.
Sophomore quarterback Israel Abrams threw for 269 yards and 3 TDs in the victory.
Montini’s losses were competitive games against ranked teams, Fenwick and Marist. The Broncos have a tough finish to the regular season with games against St. Viator (3-3), St. Ignatius (3-3) and St. Laurence (5-1). Montini should be battle-tested heading into the playoffs.
Update on Mount Carmel’s Jack Elliott
The No. 2 spot in the Super 25 was up for grabs this week after Brother Rice knocked off Mount Carmel 16-13.
The Caravan played without injured star quarterback Jack Elliott and beat No. 3 Nazareth handily so they will remain in the second spot for now.
Brother Rice is 3-3 but has lost by just a touchdown to Marist, St. Rita and Loyola.
Mount Carmel coach Jordan Lynch says that Elliott “is ready” but that he would prefer to hold Elliott out until the playoffs. So that situation could be week-to-week.
Contributing: Mike Clark