Game of attrition may decide
Genoa-Kingston, Somonauk match
By Len Eisele
The Saturday matchup between Genoa-Kingston and Somonauk will pit two potentially powerful offenses against each other, but that will depend on who is on the field.
The Cogs (3-4-1) coming into the match in Somonauk beaten up six games in nine days. They could play without some key offensive players.
Junior forward Eagan Reams, the most prolific goal scorer in the school’s history, has an ankle injury and will be a game-time decision. The team’s leading scorer has 17 goals and three assists for the Cogs despite missing time due to an injury and COVID-19 protocol this season.
The Cogs could also play without freshman forward John Walcott, who has proven to be an able assist man for the Cogs top-scorers Reams and sophomore sensation Junior Leon, who has 11 goals and 13 assists of his own.
The Cogs have had an up-and-down season so far. Genoa-Kingston won three games in a while averaging nine goals in those contests.
But the injury bug and busy game schedule, which didn’t allow for much quality practice time, has caught up with the Cogs. Genoa-Kingston has gone winless in the last four games and dropped three straight.
Without Reams, the Cogs haven’t been able to get in deep enough in the attacking third of the field.
Cogs coach Randy Tate has changed up his defensive alignment to compensate for the injured forwards and improve the back end of the field, but he has only had one practice to put in the new system.
Somonauk (3-1-0) has been a consistent team aside from an 8-1 loss to conference rival Earlville. The Bobcats average more than three goals a game and haven’t given up more than two in their wins.
Lance Grandgeorge, who has five goals and three assists, leads the Bobcats offense.
The Somonauk defense is anchored by Aaron Banister, who Bobcats’ coach Jonathan Liechty described as “gritty” and leads the team with his competitiveness.
Both teams like to play deep in the offensive zone. The Bobcats employ a volume approach, putting as many shots on goal as possible in the belief that goals will eventually follow.
The Cogs usually have a crisp passing attack with Reams on top. But with Reams and Walcott questionable, the offense may have to lean heavily on Leon for its spark.
This will be the second match of the season for Genoa-Kingston against a Little 10 Conference opponent. The Cogs tied the Indian Creek 5-5, in a highly physical match on March 26.
Saturday’s match will be the first nonconference contest of the season for the Bobcats.
Genoa-Kingston, Somonauk match
By Len Eisele
The Saturday matchup between Genoa-Kingston and Somonauk will pit two potentially powerful offenses against each other, but that will depend on who is on the field.
The Cogs (3-4-1) coming into the match in Somonauk beaten up six games in nine days. They could play without some key offensive players.
Junior forward Eagan Reams, the most prolific goal scorer in the school’s history, has an ankle injury and will be a game-time decision. The team’s leading scorer has 17 goals and three assists for the Cogs despite missing time due to an injury and COVID-19 protocol this season.
The Cogs could also play without freshman forward John Walcott, who has proven to be an able assist man for the Cogs top-scorers Reams and sophomore sensation Junior Leon, who has 11 goals and 13 assists of his own.
The Cogs have had an up-and-down season so far. Genoa-Kingston won three games in a while averaging nine goals in those contests.
But the injury bug and busy game schedule, which didn’t allow for much quality practice time, has caught up with the Cogs. Genoa-Kingston has gone winless in the last four games and dropped three straight.
Without Reams, the Cogs haven’t been able to get in deep enough in the attacking third of the field.
Cogs coach Randy Tate has changed up his defensive alignment to compensate for the injured forwards and improve the back end of the field, but he has only had one practice to put in the new system.
Somonauk (3-1-0) has been a consistent team aside from an 8-1 loss to conference rival Earlville. The Bobcats average more than three goals a game and haven’t given up more than two in their wins.
Lance Grandgeorge, who has five goals and three assists, leads the Bobcats offense.
The Somonauk defense is anchored by Aaron Banister, who Bobcats’ coach Jonathan Liechty described as “gritty” and leads the team with his competitiveness.
Both teams like to play deep in the offensive zone. The Bobcats employ a volume approach, putting as many shots on goal as possible in the belief that goals will eventually follow.
The Cogs usually have a crisp passing attack with Reams on top. But with Reams and Walcott questionable, the offense may have to lean heavily on Leon for its spark.
This will be the second match of the season for Genoa-Kingston against a Little 10 Conference opponent. The Cogs tied the Indian Creek 5-5, in a highly physical match on March 26.
Saturday’s match will be the first nonconference contest of the season for the Bobcats.