All in a night’s work: Genenbacher scores four touchdowns, passes for a fifth and sets Central career tackle record during 56-0 rout of Triopia

CAMP POINT, Ill. — By preference, Camp Point Central’s Elijah Genenbacher would be most comfortable covered by a cloak of anonymity.

By performance, he’s learned to accept life beneath the glare of a spotlight.

Such was the case Friday night.

Genenbacher, a strapping 6-foot-2, 220-pound two-way senior, rushed for four touchdowns and a pair of two-point conversions, passed for a fifth score AND became the Panthers’ career leader in tackles from his familiar defensive post at linebacker.

Genenbacher’s eye-opening outing triggered Central’s fifth straight victory, a 56-0 Westeren Illinois Valley Conference North shellacking of Triopia before a crowd of about 1,600.

Central, ranked No. 6  among the state’s Class 1A schools, is now 6-1. 

The game was played with a running clock the entire second half and Triopia (1-6) did not register a first down until the fourth quarter.

The Panthers’ defense, which posted its fourth shutout of the season and 16th since the start of the 2022 schedule, was punctuated by another strong performance from its leader — Genenbacher.

Genenbacher pushed his career-tackle total to 370, which erased a decade-old record, and he still has a minimum of three games remaining (counting at least one postseason contest). 

The quiet and unassuming veteran, who has played just about every available position during his four years at Central, politely fielded questions afterward about his record. But it was obvious he would have rather been celebrating with his teammates. On the surface, he comes across as just one of the guys, but he accepts the responsibility of being the leader of a team that is the defending Class 1A state champ that has won 33 of its last 35 starts. 

“The career tackle record means everything … but a lot of the credit for a record like that has to go the defensive line in front of me,” said Genenbacher, always wanting to deflect the praise toward his teammates.

Genenbacher quickly rattled off the names defensive linemen Kadin Niekamp, Wyatt VanDeVelde, Nathan Post, Brayden Hummer and Jack Weese. And when he finished the roll call, he again stressed their importance.

Central coach Brad Dixon, now in his 14th year, simply shakes his head in appreciation of what Genenbacher has accomplished in his career.

“He’s an amazing kid,” Dixon said. “He was an all-state running back last year as a junior, and this year we asked him to move to quarterback. He’s literally played everywhere for us during his career — guard, tackle, tight end, wingback, fullback and quarterback.

“Elijah is the epitome of a great kid, great player and great person.”

Central’s win capped another perfect 5-0 league finish for the Panthers, who have won 18 straight conference games dating to early in the 2021 season.

Central, which led 41-0 at halftime, also boosted its win streak at home to 22 games en route to wrapping up its fourth straight outright WIVC North crown. The Panthers have won or shared 10 of the last 13 North championships under Dixon, who also won a WIVC South title in his first year at Central in 2011.  

Dixon said he hates to think of life without Genenbacher, who is also a tremendous student of the game and serves as a de facto on-field coach.

“No one watches more film than Elijah,” Dixon said. “I’m going to hate having to go back to calling our defensive signals after he graduates.”

Offensively, Genenbacher’s contributions included touchdown runs of 4, 17, 2 and 63 yards. He finished with a game-high 106 yards rushing on just six runs. He carried the ball just once in the second half. 

Genenbacher’s touchdown throw covered 30 guards to Nate Peters. That TD was significant in that it was the 100th touchdown pass by a Central team during Dixon’s 14 years as coach. (By comparison, the ground-oriented Panthers have rushed for 593 during that same period.)

Central has been placing added emphasis on improving its passing game, knowing the importance of offering an attack to opposing defenses where the threat of a pass is always present, especially come playoff time.

“It’s good to be able to mix it up and show opposing defenses they can’t pack it down and (concentrate solely on our running game),” Genenbacher said. “I feel like we have continued to grow, especially on offense.”

Central’s other touchdowns came via runs from Niekamp (34 yards), Konnor Bush (11 yards) and Kellen Meyer (1 yard). 

Central is 11-2 against Triopia since both schools became WIVC North members in 2012. Triopia’s wins came in 2020 and 2015.

Central is 53-10 in WIVC North games since become a member in 2012.