What’s in a reputation?
For senior inside linebacker Nick Jansey, it has meant lots that he has needed to reside as much as because the youngest of 4 brothers who’ve performed for Batavia’s powerhouse soccer program.
It’s excellent firm too, however this Jansey — who’s in his third yr on the varsity for the Bulldogs — has been as much as the duty. This season, he ranks because the workforce’s second-leading tackler.
“I haven’t had a lot recruiting curiosity but,” Nick mentioned. “I’m uncommitted, ready to see what involves me. I’m sending out a spotlight reel and we’ll see what occurs from there.”
The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Jansey did his half once more Friday night time, contributing a fumble restoration to go along with 1 1/2 sacks whereas being concerned in quite a few tackles as Batavia clinched a share of the DuKane Convention title with a 45-12 win at Wheaton Warrenville South.
It was a workforce effort for the Bulldogs (7-2, 6-1) because the offense — powered by junior quarterback Michael Vander Luitgaren and senior large receiver Brett Berggren — scored on seven straight possessions to start the sport in opposition to the Tigers (6-3, 5-2).
Batavia tied with St. Charles North (8-1, 6-1), a 36-16 winner Friday over Lake Park, for the convention title. Final yr, the Bulldogs and North Stars tied Geneva for prime honors.
“We’re clicking,” Batavia coach Dennis Piron mentioned. “We’ve acquired some good issues taking place. We’re wholesome. Berggren seems to be nice together with our different receivers and our committee of operating backs.
“We did a number of issues that helped us out on protection.”
That protection is headlined by Nick Jansey. He identified instantly, “Yeah, I’m the fourth Jansey brother to play right here.” He has a twin sister, Samantha, who performs basketball for Batavia.
Michael, the oldest brother, performed at Northwestern and is a monetary planner. Tyler is in his fourth yr at Wisconsin, lately shifting from linebacker to fullback. Jacob is coaching to be a firefighter.
And if Batavia defensive coordinator Matt Holm had his means?
“I instructed his dad and mom they might begin over once more and so they didn’t actually respect that,” Holm mentioned. “It’s been a dynasty. We’ve been fortunate sufficient to have been round for a number of strains of brothers.”
Jansey has been complemented by three senior standouts in offensive linemen Ryan Myers and Steve Bannos and operating again Preston Brummel, all three of whom take snaps on protection, too.
Offensively on Friday night time, Vander Luitgaren accomplished 15 of 17 passes for 183 yards, with touchdowns of 12 yards to Berggren and 27 yards to Darin Ashiru.
Berggren was a beast, catching 5 passes for 77 yards. He additionally had three carries for 90 yards, breaking off TD runs of 5 and 67 yards. Ashiru added eight receptions for 94 yards.
Batavia’s protection additionally stepped up huge, stopping the Tigers on their first possession and recovering fumbles on back-to-back possessions within the third quarter to insulate Batavia’s 17-6 halftime lead.
Senior operating again Owen Yorke was the Bulldogs’ focus. The elusive 6-0, 200-pound Yorke had topped 100 yards speeding in each different sport, together with 200-plus in his final two video games.
With Jansey making a distinction, Yorke was held to 78 yards on 12 carries. Senior quarterback Justin Miller additionally threw for 71 yards and accounted for a pair of TDs.
“We simply got here out with a very good sport plan,” Jansey mentioned. “We had been proper for the run. We knew that they had an excellent again, they’re 80% run, and we needed to cease it.”
Jansey and junior linebacker Jack Brown teamed up on a sack of Miller within the second quarter and Jansey added a solo sack within the fourth. The precedence remained stopping Yorke.
“You give him area, he’s an issue,” Holm mentioned. “We felt like we might comprise his inside runs and we did an excellent job with it
“He’s acquired an incredible leap lower and velocity to go along with it, a Barry Sanders-type factor when he can go.”
Jansey mentioned Myers and Bannos being added to the defensive position helped. Bannos compelled a fumble that Jansey recovered. Senior defensive deal with Gavin Pecor recovered one on a botched handoff.
“We’re coming collectively,” Jansey mentioned. “Hopefully, there’s much more to go.”
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