FINAL: Batavia 50, Elgin Larkin 6

A little rain and a lot of illness could not stop the Batavia football team Friday.

Despite having a couple key players out sick, the Bulldogs crushed the Royals 50-6 up in Elgin. This Elgin Larkin bout was Batavia's first conference game of the season.

The win was due to a very efficient offense and a very incredible defense, said Dennis Piron, Batavia's head football coach. He spoke to Batavia Patch by phone from the team bus.

"We really had a bad bout of illness, and we were concerned about it," Piron said. "But we have high-level players."

Batavia had seven touchdowns overall, with four in the first half alone. Noel Gaspari, starting senior quarterback, completed nearly all of roughly 17 throws in rainy drizzle and downpours throughout the game.

"Noel played great," Piron said. "He was passing ... he had an incredible game."

With about five minutes remaining in the third quarter, Batavia scored its sixth touchdown of the night to make it 42-0 and started the running clock.

As time expired, Larkin scored a touchdown to prevent a shutout from Batavia.

Piron thanked former head coach Mike Gaspari with his work on offense Friday and Matt Holm with Batavia's defense.

The Sick Report

Senior running back Austin Lindquist had strep throat or something similar this week. Senior defensive lineman Austin Lewis had pneumonia and didn't practice all week, Piron said.

Senior running back Dom Gulzado played for a bit but was sick this week. Senior defensive lineman Alec Lyons and sophomore wide receiver/defensive back Rourke Mullins were also ill.

"We’re going to all leave each other alone all weekend," Piron said lightheartedly. "We're going to try to get healthy."

Season So Far

Batavia (3-0, 1-0)

Aug. 26 Batavia 36, Marmion 7

Sept. 2  Batavia 48, Plainfield East 7

Sept. 9  Batavia 50, Elgin Larkin 6 (Conference play)

Who's Next?

Batavia plays Bartlett at home on Friday, Sept. 16.

Batavia Patch can help you follow the Bulldogs' season. To get our free daily newsletter and breaking news alerts, click here.