Batavia 43, DeKalb 0

Batavia took awhile to get its offense running fluidly in Friday's chilly Western Sun Conference contest with DeKalb.

But the visiting Barbs played as if they were frozen at the line of scrimmage, and many of their plays started and ended at or behind the place they snapped the ball.

As a result, Batavia (5-3, 4-2) had plenty of time to work out the wrinkles in a comprehensive 43-0 victory, its third win in a row.

"We came out a little flat," Batavia running back Brian Krolikowski said. "But practice has been going well the last couple of weeks. And in the game, our O-line picked it up. We started on the slow side, but we got our act together and pulled out the victory."

Krolikowski gained 69 yards on 15 carries and scored 2 of Batavia's 6 touchdowns. As a team, Batavia's offense gained 346 yards, almost evenly split between the two halves.

"Wins are wins," Krolikowski said. "I'm really happy with the way we performed. There were a couple of times we were three and out. And a couple of times we didn't complete passes or get the right blocks. But overall, I feel very good."

Helping to give the offense time to sort things out, Batavia's defense took advantage of a wounded DeKalb offense. Starting quarterback Kyle Wallin was injured and was not dressed for the game.

Backup Mandel Williams struggled to move the team. Normally a running back, he played into the second quarter before a hand injury forced him from the game. Steve Karasewski finished the half and sophomore team quarterback Steve Petras played the second half.

Against that offense, Batavia's defense allowed 95 yards, made DeKalb take most of its snaps in its own territory intercepted 4 passes and recovered 1 fumble.

"It helps a lot," Krolikowski said. "Our defense is always out there, always working hard, always making sure they have their coverages down. Coach (Dennis) Piron with the defense -- they make sure they don't make any mistakes."

With a record of 5-3, Batavia is not yet a postseason qualifier. A home victory next week against Geneva would make that a certainty.

"The fifth win solidifies the fact that they're a winning football team," Batavia coach Mike Gaspari said. "That's important. Even after all these years, I don't take that for granted. When we were sitting 2-3, it's even more important."

Streaking in the opposite direction, DeKalb (3-5, 2-4) lost its fourth straight game.