To say that this week’s football game against Batavia is big would be an understatement. To say any football game against Batavia is big would be an understatement. Since 1913 Geneva has played Batavia 96 times, with a series record of 51-40-5 in favor of Geneva. No one in Geneva needs to be told the importance of the Geneva-Batavia rivalry, but the stakes have never been higher them they are this week.

Senior Defensive Lineman Jack McCloughan says the Vikings set three goals for themselves this season, “conference champs, go deep in the playoffs, and we need to beat Batavia.” With a win this Friday the Vikings could accomplish two of their goals, and set themselves up for their third.

The Vikings sit at the top of the Upstate 8 Conference at 6-0 going in to this Friday, with Batavia right behind at 5-1.  Because both St Charles teams trail Geneva by two games in conference play it’s down to Batavia and Geneva battling for first. With a win this Friday the Vikings lock up the conference championship, regardless of the results of their week 9 game against Larkin.

Last year the Bulldogs beat the Vikings at Burgess, now Geneva looks for revenge on Batavia’s own turf. With Batavia fresh off a state title and Geneva looking to clinch the conference title all eyes will be on Bulldog Stadium. “No other game comes close to this one,” says McCloughan, “all focus is on this Friday.”