Rick Armstrong’s football notes: Waubonsie, Geneva in playoffs at 6-0

Welcome to the playoffs.

That statement is appropriate this week for two area teams, Waubonsie Valley and Geneva. Both have clinched postseason berths with records of 6-0.

It soon will be appropriate for Batavia, Oswego, Yorkville and Aurora Central Catholic as well. All are playoff-eligible teams one win away from clinching at 5-1.

And it soon could be for Marmion and Aurora Christian, who are both 4-2 with three weeks remaining in the regular season.

For another, Kaneland (2-4), the playoffs actually begin this week when the Knights play host to Morris, a team that is in the same boat at 2-4.

Raise your hand if you saw that coming.

Last season Morris went 3-6, ending a streak of 12 straight playoff appearances. The program has made it to a state title game 10 times since 1980, going 3-7.

Kaneland has made the playoffs six straight years and 18 of the last 19.

Three of the Knight losses have been decided by one score — 14-13 to Rich Central, 37-34 to DeKalb and 14-7 to Sycamore.

Welcome back

Unfortunately, it’s too late for a playoff push, but reinforcements are on the way for Oswego East.

Coach Tyson LeBlanc expects to have senior quarterback Tyler Kennedy (knee) and wide receiver/defensive back Corey Kennedy (ankle), who also filled in at QB, back this week.

“Tyler was cleared to play (Friday vs. Oswego),” LeBlanc said, noting that he nixed it. “Field conditions kept us from playing him.”

Great expectations

Treshon Weddington, who left the previous week’s game with back spasms after rushing for 168 yards, came back against Oswego East and had a 136-yard, five-touchdown game.

“That’s what we expect out of him and that’s what he ends up doing behind these five (veteran) linemen,” Oswego coach Brian Cooney said. “They do the grunt work, but (Weddington) makes his own mark. He has good vision and bounces it out when he needs to.

“When we are pulling, or what we call a T, he gets behind those big linemen, and that’s a comfortable place to be.”

Instant classic

Waubonsie Valley’s 38-37 win over Metea Valley on Friday won’t be forgotten anytime soon.

The back-and-forth game had outstanding individual performances from both featured running backs.

Bryson Oliver rushed 47 times for 275 yards and four TDs for the Mustangs.

Tony Durns had 23 carries for 172 yards and four TDs for the Warriors.

“We’ve known each other since seventh grade,” Durns said. “It’s pretty cool to go out and compete against someone who is giving their all to try to win. It motivates you even more.”

The Warriors (6-0, 4-0) have won back-to-back games by a single point.

“Coach talks to us all the time about how everyone wants to be the first team to beat us,” Durns said. “I think we’re doing a good job of stepping up how we need to.”

Chris Walker contributed to this report.