Deep ties on both sides for the Assumption-Geneseo matchup

QUAD CITIES AREA, Iowa/Ill. (KWQC) - There are times the divide the Mississippi River creates between the two states is wide and deep, but on Friday night the Assumption Knights will make trek across the span to head to Geneseo for a matchup with the Maple Leafs.

“This is a really long process going back to December, waiting for our bids to come out, waiting for our districts to come out, and then finally the state approving us getting to play. So we had to wait for Sioux City West to go play an out of state opponent, match us up just right for week two, and Geneseo being patient as well.”

“Something that takes strategic planning for sure. We’re trying to get some teams matched up and finding ones that are willing to do it. You know, we had kind of matched up with Assumption, we thought we had another team that was ready to go with it as well, and that kind of fell through, but scheduling God’s helped us out. ”

Geneseo head coach, Matt Furlong, is a graduate of Assumption and will be facing his alma mater for the first time.

“Looking forward to it, obviously. I have some ties there with Assumption having gone there, and sisters and brothers all having gone there, so that’ll be special, kind of seeing that, and just kind of having that crossover, and getting the other side between Iowa and Illinois together is always kind of an exciting thing, and I think it’s going to be two good programs ready to go against each other.”

This is also personal for three brothers on the Assumption Knights, who will be playing for the first time ever on the field named after their grandfather, legendary coach Bob Reade.

“Honestly, it’s been like a dream of mine to play on that field, like for an actual, like football game. I’m excited, but also nervous. I also want to win, honor my grandfather that way, But either way, I’m just really happy to get this amazing opportunity.”

“I couldn’t honestly think of any other better game. I mean, I could, not that I want to lose every single other game, but if I could win this game, that’d be like the highlight of my season.”

Technically, This is the first ever meeting between the two schools. The last time Geneseo played a Catholic school from Davenport was 1957, against St. Ambrose High School. A year before they merged with Immaculate Conception Academy to form Assumption High School.

“That’s really exciting. I mean, that means there’s going to be eyes on us, you know, eyes on us watching the first time we cross the river, and that’s definitely something exciting.”

“I just think it’s kind of cool. It’s a good time for us to learn with both teams and going against something different than usual, and everybody being in Illinois, we get to play a team that’s, across the river from us.”

Despite any buzz around this game off the field, there is a game to be played on the field. With both teams coming off a week one loss, both are looking to avoid an 0-2 start to the season.

“We definitely feel the effects of that game. I mean, we have a lot of people going into this and we just want to win. We want to go in, we want to play some smash-mouth football, for lack of a better word, and just come out with a W.”

“I think we’re all looking for that first win and going to go out and use our use our learning from last week and improve on it.”

Kickoff is set for 7PM at Bob Reade Field in Geneseo.