Friday’s game against South Elgin was supposed to be a learning game for Batavia quarterback Bodi Anderson.
After a self-described tough showing in the opening game against Glenbard West, the junior quarterback was taking the Week 2 matchup to work on reading the defense.
But after finding Isaiah Brown for a 57-yard touchdown in the first quarter, Anderson said he definitely learned something.
“It made me a lot more comfortable with him and made me realize I can throw it up to him and I can trust he’ll get it,” Anderson said. “The confidence just really kicked in for me.”
The confidence helped Anderson end the first half completing 9 of 14 passes for 155 yards and three touchdowns to pace the Bulldogs to a 42-14 victory over the Storm in their home opener.
“I feel like things just started clicking for us in the passing game tonight,” Batavia coach Dennis Piron said. “He just needed to get a rhythm and get used to guys. We haven’t gotten a good chance to get anybody together, so we’re hoping that this will get it going.”
With the win, Batavia heads into conference play with a 2-0 record for the first time since 2021, where they finished regular season play a perfect 9-0. And after having a ton of their new starters survive the likes of Glenbard West and South Elgin, Piron said it’s a good feeling to have.
“We’re playing teams that don’t typically lose more than a couple games a year,” Piron said. “And those new starters aren’t new starters now after two weeks, so it’s good that we’re getting this experience heading into conference play.”
Brown finished the game with five receptions, 110 receiving yards and two touchdowns, with his second score coming from 12 yards out at the end of the first half. It’s just the second time that the senior has put up over 100 receiving yards and two touchdowns, with both coming in last season’s state quarterfinal game against Hononegah.
“It felt great coming out here and doing what I need to do, like running my routes and going out and giving my everything every play,” Brown said. “And it just all fell to where it was supposed to. And coming out here and translating it to the game felt great.”
The Bulldogs managed to get on the board on fourth down on two separate occasions. Nathan Whitwell got Batavia’s first points of the game after getting the ball on fourth-and-1 and running 61 yards for the score. He also added a 35-yard score in the second quarter and finished with 116 yards.
The second came at the start of the second quarter. With a fourth-and-4 situation on South Elgin’s 15-yard line, Anderson found offensive and defensive lineman Gavin Pecor, who dove across the pylon for the score.
“There was a lot of trust to catch that for a big lineman,” Anderson said. “But he enjoyed doing that a lot, so it was a great moment.”
Brett Berggren also added a score in the game on a 52-yard punt return.
South Elgin got both its touchdowns in the second half. Ishmael George caught an 18-yard touchdown and Darrion Thurman had a 1-yard rushing touchdown against the Bulldogs’ second team.
Batavia quarterback Bodi Anderson throws the ball during a game against South Elgin Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 in Batavia.
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South Elgin’s John Ginnan throws the ball during a game Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 at Batavia.
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Batavia’s Caleb Peters kicks the extra point, assisted by ball holder Jake Mysliwiec, during a game against South Elgin Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 in Batavia.
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Batavia’s Nathan Whitwell runs for a touchdown during a game against South Elgin Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 in Batavia.
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Batavia’s Isaiah Brown makes a catch during a game against South Elgin Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 in Batavia.
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South Elgin’s Ishmael George is tackled by Batavia’s Chase Osborne and Jake Feller during a game Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 at Batavia.
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Batavia’s Greyson Kelly runs the ball during a game against South Elgin Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 in Batavia.
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