Another week, another conference showdown, another close game.

For a Geneva team that blew the competition out of the water last year, it’s a bit of a departure from the norm. But there’s no doubt the formula is working.

Just like at this point last year, the Vikings sit undefeated at 5-0 and atop the Western Sun Conference standings.

“Having the games turn out the way they have (with wins) has been a very positive experience for a very inexperienced team,” head coach Rob Wicinski said. “We tell the guys that you don’t get style points for winning by 40 or by winning by one. The key is playing your best and winning.”

Last week, the Vikings overcame a 20-14 deficit to top host Sycamore 28-20. That win followed a road victory over Glenbard South in which Geneva needed a touchdown and a fourth-quarter field goal to top the Raiders.

Yorkville had the Vikings looking up at a deficit in the conference opener before they eked out a 21-10 win. In the end, all that matters is that the numbers in the win column keep increasing and the team keeps improving.

“We are in a continuous process of acclimating and getting better,” Wicinski said. “Double digit wins has never been a goal.”

Senior leadership has been one reason why Geneva has been able to pull out the close games. While decimated by the loss of 17 senior starters, players like Brandon Beitzel (quarterback), Frank Boenzi (defensive line), Bret Shannon (linebacker), Michael Santacaterina (defensive back/running back) and Nolan Block (defensive back) have allowed the new starters to grow into their roles.

“We just started coaching and did not think much about how much time it would take (to improve)” Wicinski said. “It always is a process no matter how much experience shows up at the door.”

As the only returning starter on offense, Beitzel has grown into that unit’s leader in a very short amount of time. Having handed the ball to all-state running back Michael Ratay on most offensive plays last year, Beitzel’s growth as a quarterback has helped diversify the Vikings’ attack.

“Brandon is managing the game much better with age,” Wicinski said. “He has also has gone through a process of maturity with the offense. He could always throw, but he is doing a better job of deciding and firing, no hesitation. That’s been his development.

“Brandon’s best games are ahead of him.”

It’s possible Beitzel’s best has already commenced. With Geneva trailing Sycamore (3-2 overall, 1-2 in the Western Sun) 20-14 in the third quarter, Beitzel kept a drive alive by finding Charlie James in the end zone on third-and-13 at the Sycamore 31 yard line. That score gave Geneva the lead for the first time since the opening quarter.

With the Vikings looking for some insurance in the fourth quarter, Beitzel found James for 11 yards on one third-down conversion and Jacob Landau for 17 yards on another. The completions kept the drive going long enough for Santacaterina to scamper in from 5 yards out with some much-needed points.

James and Beitzel connected for a 16-yard touchdown in the first quarter to go ahead 7-0, and after the Spartans took a 14-7 lead Santacaterina had a 2-yard scoring plunge to make it 14-14 by halftime.

Win or lose, lead or deficit, this Geneva team has shown it won’t be rattled, that it is ready for any challenge.

“We are very in tune to the moment,” Wicinski said. “We just do our job and don’t get too high or too low. Whatever shows up at the door, they deal with it.”