The way the game was unfolding Friday night, senior running back Carsen Durante had a feeling that things could wind up coming down to him for St. Charles North.

In a tight, low-scoring affair, a grinding, smashmouth runner was just what the North Stars needed.

“If they want me to run the ball, I’ll run the ball,” Durante said afterward. “If they want me to pass block, I’ll pass block. Anything to get the team a win.”

Running the ball was front and center for Durante during a rugged 10-7 victory over visiting Geneva in a DuKane Conference opener. He grinded it out on the final drive to clinch the win.

Durante rushed for 117 yards on 28 carries for St. Charles North (3-0, 1-0), earning the final first down to ice it. Northwestern-bound senior receiver Keaton Reinke had 10 catches for 122 yards. JT Padron completed 16 of 22 passes for 175 yards, including a 13-yard TD to EJ Mondesir.

Nelson Wendell was the workhorse for Geneva (1-2, 0-1), running for 95 yards and a 6-yard TD on 19 carries. Bennett Konkey caught six passes. Ben Peterson threw for 72 yards and ran for 50.

St. Charles North’s Carsen Durante (28) carries the ball against Geneva during a DuKane Conference game in St. Charles on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025. (James C. Svehla / The Beacon-News)

The North Stars, though, took the lead for the first time with 8:49 left in the third quarter.

“When we got that, it was like, ‘All right, we’re in this game,’” Durante said. “We just have to finish it out, and we did.”

Neither team could get much going offensively, so it became increasingly clear that time of possession down the stretch was going to be a major factor.

That’s where Durante and his backup, Tommy Vendl, come into play.

St. Charles North’s Carsen Durante (28) carries the ball near the end zone against Geneva during a DuKane Conference game in St. Charles on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025. (James C. Svehla / The Beacon-News)

“My coach told me, ‘You’re going to get the ball at the end of the game,’” Durante said. “I said, ‘I’m ready, coach.’ They just handed me the ball and we had to run the clock out and I did my job.

“We just finished out the game.”

Watching someone like Durante, who paid his dues, come through in a big way always brings a smile to the face of St. Charles North coach Rob Pomazak.

“Carsen waited his turn last year,” Pomazak said. “We try to tell guys, when you run a program like ours, it’s not always going to be juniors starting. Sometimes, you have to wait. Sometimes, you have to be patient.

St. Charles North’s Keaton Reinke (6) tries to avoid Geneva’s Dane Turner (2) during a DuKane Conference game in St. Charles on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025. (James C. Svehla / The Beacon-News)

“It’s great to see guys that did and went through the process have success like Carsen did.”

Geneva made things difficult all night with its own running game.

The Vikings consistently grinded out long drives. Even if they didn’t result in points, it managed to shorten the game, limiting the chances for the North Stars’ explosive offense in the process.

“Give credit to Geneva,” Pomazak said. “What an amazing job by Boone (Thorgesen) and his staff. They played fantastic. We were lucky to get a victory.”

The tough running of Wendell helped the Vikings stay in the game.

“Wendell is a tough kid,” Thorgesen said. “We wanted to establish the run, and I thought we did. I thought we established the run most of the game.

St. Charles North’s Carsen Durante (28) grinds out extra yards against Geneva during a DuKane Conference game in St. Charles on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025. (James C. Svehla / The Beacon-News)

“The growth from last week to this week was outstanding. We’re going to build on that, and we’re going to be just fine.”

Durante, meanwhile, knows that having Reinke on his side makes his job easier.

“He’s an absolute freak,” Durante said. “He’s the best player on the team. I don’t care if I get zero carries if they throw him the ball and we get a win. I’m happy with that.”

They both got to eat Friday, which Durante credited to his teammates up front.

“Our O-line blocked so well,” Durante said. “I would be a mediocre running back without my O-line.

“I just do my job — whatever coach tells me to do.”

Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/12/carsen-durante-st-charles-north-geneva-ihsa-football/