Experiment works as Genenbacher guides Panthers to victory in new role as starting QB

CAMP POINT, Ill. — Elijah Genenbacher could take a serious liking to this quarterback thing.

Thanks to some lineup reshuffling, due mostly to a series of nagging injuries, Camp Point Central football coach Brad Dixon installed Genenbacher as the starting quarterback Friday night for the first time in his career.

Genenbacher, a 6-foot-2, 220-pound senior, had made most of his varsity headlines on the defensive side of the ball and as a running back but responded to this latest challenge in grand style.

Genenbacher led Central to a 35-6 win over Unity-Payson in a Western Illinois Valley Conference North Division game before a crowd of about 1,650. The victory was Central’s 21st in a row at home.

“Elijah can literally do it all,” Dixon said. “We’ve used him at tight end, running back, wing, linebacker … and now, quarterback,where he did a nice job with no mistakes.”

Genenbacher was fluid in all areas of the position, especially running the ball, which came as no real surprise. He rushed for a game-high 107 yards and an 18-yard touchdown late in the third quarter that gave Central a 35-0 cushion. Genenbacher led the Panthers in ground gaining a year ago with 1,108 yards and is leading the club this season with 371 yards.

“I think I probably enjoy quarterback the most,” Genenbacher said of his versatility. “I really enjoy being able to facilitate the others.”

Genenbacher only needed to throw the ball five times, but all were tight spirals and “looked” good. His one completion was a 9-yarder to Tate Eicken.

Jase Wallace, a senior offensive lineman, liked what he saw in Genenbacher at quarterback.

“Our offensive line had a lot of confidence with Elijah behind us,” Wallace said.

Central’s regular two quarterbacks, Kale Niekamp and Dylan Bowen, both played the entire game Friday night — in the defensive backfield. 

Dixon said he is uncertain who will start at quarterback next Friday in a key WIVC North matchup at Brown County. Central will enter the game 3-1 and 1-0 in the WIVC North, Brown County is 2-2 and 2-0 in conference play following a 51-6 victory over Triopia. Central has won 15 straight WIVC North games, its last conference loss coming in 2021 to Brown County.

“We’re working around a lot of injuries right now, and we continue to challenge our guys,” Dixon said. “We also need to clean up some mistakes we’re making so we don’t shoot ourselves in the foot.”

Central’s victory was its eighth straight over Unity. The Panthers are 11-2 vs. Unity since both schools became members of the WIVC North in 2012. 

Zack Wear scored a pair of touchdowns for Central. Wear scored on a 55-yard sprint in the first quarter and a 7-yard burst in the second quarter.

Central’s other scores came via Kadin Niekamp’s 39-yard run in the first quarter and Konnor Bush’s 9-yard blast in the second quarter.

Unity (0-4) avoided a shutout when wide receiver Skylor Goudschaal hauled in a 5-yard touchdown throw from quarterback Sawyer Allen with 32 seconds to play.

“This game was like day and night from a week ago (when Unity lost 32-0 at Brown County),” Unity coach Matt Woodworth said. “Our kids showed a lot of fight and grit against Central. I felt we made Central, which is a very good team, earn everything.

“There are definitely a lot of positives to build on from this game. Scoring late like we did helped, too … because our offense has been struggling. That should be a real confidence boost.”

Allen finished with 184 yards of total offense for Unity, including 157 yards passing. Justin Cramm had five catches for 68 yards.

As usual, Central shared the wealth when it came to its ground game. Following Genenbacher’s 100-yard effort were Bush with 84 yards, Niekamp (74) and Wear (72). As a team, the Panthers rolled to 370 yards on the ground on just 43 tries, spearheaded by Genenbacher’s 10.7 per rush average.

Central’s defense fell a few seconds short of what would have been its third shutout of the season and 15th over the past 2 1/2 years.

“It’s always disappointing to give up a TD in a situation like that, but we’re starting to find our (rhythm),” Wallace said. “We still have a ways to go, though.”

Summy agreed.

“We haven’t reached our full potential yet — there’s still a lot to do,” he said.

Summy also thinks Central is regaining its swagger following the 14-13 second-week loss at Calhoun.

“We’re getting our confidence back,” he said.