Thomas More College Saints (7-1)
vs.
Geneva College Golden Tornadoes (3-5)
Saturday, November 8, 2008
1:30 pm - Reeves Field
The attitude fans of Geneva should have is that there is no better time than now. It is better that Geneva plays PAC leader Thomas More now because the Golden Tornadoes are riding a two game winning streak after their 38-23 victory at Bethany. However, Thomas More is probably not thinking much differently. The Saints have plenty of momentum after defeating number five ranked and defending PAC champs W & J last Saturday by a 35-29 score. The win gives Thomas More it′s first ever PAC championship and an automatic bid into the NCAA III play-offs. Will the Saints be looking ahead to the playoffs?
Geneva′s rushing game was a lot like a bowling ball against Bethany, as it rushed for 339 yards. Junior running back Matt Barge had the most yards with 143 but sophomore running back Gerard Muschette was right behind him with 139 yards. Muschette continues to lead The Golden Tornado offense with 524 rushing yards. Geneva also got a significant contribution from senior wide receiver Brian Dvorsak last Saturday. Dvorsak had a team high four receptions and two of the those receptions went for touchdowns. The Golden Tornado passing game may be licking their chops because the Thomas More defense has given up 1801 passing yards. However, the Saints have accumulated 29 sacks this season. The Thomas More defense is led by junior linebacker Brad Steinmetz. Steinmetz leads the team with 67 tackles and he also has added six sacks. Another important player for the Saints′ defense is sophomore defensive lineman Tyler Owens. Owens leads the team with nine sacks.
The Thomas More offense may rely heavily on a rushing game that has gained 2108 yards so far but a passing game that has amassed 1271 yards is certainly no slouch. The Saints offense is heavily influenced by t he play of junior quarterback Trevor Stellman. Stellman has a 62.3 completion percentage and no interceptions and he has also rushed for 423 yards on the season. Stellman′s favorite target is in the form of senior wide receiver Nick Dew. Dew leads the team with 33 catches with five of the those catches going for touchdowns. The Thomas More rushing game is good and balanced. Freshman running back Anthony Knott leads the charge with 662 yards. Not far behind is junior running back Cordario Collier with 459 yards and Collier is also second on the team with 26 receptions. Finally, freshman running back Kendell Owens is next with 428 yards but he has an astonishing ten yards per carry average.
The Geneva defense intercepted two passes against Bethany but it will be looking to give up less than the 306 passing yards it gave up. The Golden Tornadoes Mr. Reliable, senior linebacker Zach Feltrop, led the team with 14 tackles last Saturday. Junior linebacker Aaron Tommelleo also played well. Tomelleo added 13 tackles to the cause against Bethany. Junior defensive end Brian Wilson also contributed ten tackles. Feltrop and Tommelleo continue to be a tackling force for the Golden Tornado defense this season as Feltrop leads the team with 76 tackles and Tommelleo is second with 59.
Last season Geneva pulled off a 10-9 victory over Thomas More in Kentucky. The Golden Tornado defense saddled up and played impressively. They allowed only 21 yards rushing and just 127 overall yards to the Saints offense. The Geneva defense only allowed seven points because Thomas More obtained two points on a safety. The 2007 season was the first ever meeting between the Golden Tornadoes and the Saints.
Next week Geneva will conclude the season at home against longtime rivals Westiminster. Kickoff is set for 1:30pm with senior festivities coming prior to the game.. Thomas More will stay at home for a non-conference game against Mount Saint Joesph before preparing for the NCAA post-season.
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