By Bobby Narang –
Nothing has come easily lately for the Batavia High School football team.
After the Bulldogs won their five playoff games by a total margin of 44 points last season, including a 21-14 victory over Lake Zurich in the Class 7A State championship game in overtime, Batavia opened up this season in similar fashion.
Michael Jansey capped an 80-yard drive with a 12-yard touchdown run late in the quarter with power football offense to give Batavia a come-from-behind 22-15 road victory over Lemont Friday.
The Bulldogs will be in a battle against Naperville North Friday in their home opener. The Huskies suffered a 30-20 home loss to tough Chicago Simeon in their opener in the first week. The game Friday should be another close encounter.
The Bulldogs, 1-0, sealed the victory against Lemont with two standout series and stopped the Indians twice from tying the score.
“We knew (Lemont) would do some special things and we were prepared,” Batavia head coach Dennis Piron said. “We made some really good plays at the end on offense and defense and were able to pull out the win.”
Jansey, 6-2 and 215 pounds, is better known for his prowess as a middle linebacker and top notch college prospect who may be on his way to Northwestern University. Jansey, senior Luke Weerts, 6-2 and 235 pounds, and junior Quin Urwiler, 5-11 and 185, form the effective linebacker corps.
The power offense with Jansey, “is pretty good as an option for us,” Piron said. “We have a lot of capable players, but obviously some special ones.”
Batavia senior quarterback Jack Meyers had an impressive starting debut. He kept the game-winning drive alive with a key 17-yard run, while overcoming a rough start. He threw three interceptions, but finished 11-of-23 passing for 136 yards and passing for one a touchdown.
“He’ll only get better,” Piron said of Meyers. “He showed he can really run the football and will get more comfortable and confident as the season goes on. We expect special things out of that young man.”
Meyers was the capable back-up last year to junior starter Riley Cooper.
The Bulldogs scored in each quarter against Lemont and started the season’s scoring with a safety in the first quarter. The Bulldogs’ defense kept the Indians scoreless in the second and third quarters, and collected 60 team tackles. Sam Barus led the defense with 11 tackles, including a sack for a 14-yard loss. In all, the Bulldogs finished with five sacks and three passes deflected.
Offensively, Trey Urwiler led a balanced rushing attack with 11 carries for 59 yards and the Bulldogs collected 198 rushing yards. Drew Iutzwig made four receptions for 29 yards.
