Bulldogs Rally, Then Hold the Line to Beat Wheaton North on the Road. Final: Batavia 28, Wheaton North 21

Batavia spoiled Wheaton North's Homecoming Friday night in a defensive battle that came down to the final snap. The Bulldogs let a two-touchdown lead slip away, then answered with an 8-minute drive in the fourth quarter to take the lead back. From there it was up to the defense. Batavia came up with its second goal-line stand of the night, and two-way player Thomas Prescott ended the game with a huge sack.

QB Michael Vander Luitgaren kept up his big season with 247 passing yards and 102 rushing yards, plus a touchdown through the air and one on the ground. RB Rosengren ran for 89 yards and 2 TDs, and WR Darin Ashiru went over 100 receiving yards. The offense finished with 439 total yards. On defense, Gavin McKelvie led the way with 11 tackles.

Through seven games, Vander Luitgaren has thrown for 2,048 yards and 24 touchdowns and run for 504 yards and 10 more.

Next up: Batavia travels to St. Charles East on Friday, October 9. Go Dogs! 🐾

Record-Setting Shootout: Geneva 56, Batavia 49

Batavia and Geneva wrote another unforgettable chapter in a rivalry that dates back to 1913. The two teams combined for 1,155 yards and 105 points Friday night, the highest-scoring game in series history. The previous record was 80 points, set in Batavia's 46–34 win in 2011. Geneva held on for a 56–49 win, but the Bulldog offense never stopped fighting, racking up 558 yards (292 passing, 266 rushing) and seven touchdowns.

QB Michael Vander Luitgaren put together one of the great individual performances in the rivalry's history. He threw for 292 yards and ran for 205 more, a total of 497 yards, and accounted for all seven Batavia touchdowns (4 passing, 3 rushing). WR Darin Ashiru added 150 receiving yards and 2 TDs, and RB Rosengren chipped in 65 rushing yards and 36 receiving yards.

More than a century in, Batavia–Geneva still delivers. Go Dogs! 🐾

Bulldogs' Offense Explodes for 536 Yards in Statement 55-35 Win Over St. Charles North

Batavia's offense put on a show Friday night, racking up 536 total yards — 236 rushing, 300 passing — and 55 points against St. Charles North. The Bulldogs' defense stayed just as sharp, harassing the SCN quarterback for 38 pressures and 7 sacks despite logging a heavy snap count behind the fast-strike offense.

Senior QB Michael Vander Luitgaren was nearly perfect, going 15-of-17 for 300 yards and 5 touchdown passes while adding 99 yards and a score on the ground. WR Darin Ashiru hauled in 9 catches for 177 yards and 2 TDs, DE Jack Brown wreaked havoc with 6 solo tackles, 3 TFLs and 7 pressures, and DB Luke Gardner anchored the secondary with 16 tackles.

Up next: the Bulldogs host rival Geneva Friday, September 25 for Military Appreciation Night — one of the biggest games of the season.

vs. Lake Park: Win, dominant

Batavia stayed red-hot in Week 4, clicking on all cylinders in a lopsided win over Lake Park. The offense piled up 484 total yards (345 through the air) and scored 42 points before halftime with five different players finding the end zone, while the defense was just as dominant, holding Lake Park to 166 total yards and keeping the Panthers from crossing midfield until the closing minutes of the second quarter. Vander Luitgaren was in complete control again (21/26, 324 yards, 6 TDs), and Brennon Zeng continued his big season with 8 catches for 132 yards and 4 touchdowns. Batavia now turns to Homecoming, hosting rival St. Charles North on September 18, when the 2026 Hall of Honor class will also be announced.

@ Glenbard North (DuKane opener): Win, 49–21

The Bulldogs opened DuKane Conference play in dominant fashion, rolling past Glenbard North 49-21 on the road. QB Michael Vander Luitgaren was nearly flawless, going 16/18 for 212 yards and 3 TDs through the air while adding 101 yards and 3 more scores on just 7 carries, and Donovan Ashiru hauled in 7 catches for 96 yards and a touchdown. The win pushed Batavia to 3-1 on the season and carried the offense's momentum into a home matchup with Lake Park.

The Batavia Bulldogs kicked off the 2026 season with a statement victory, powering past Maine South 49-35 in an impressive team performance. Fueled by a relentless offensive effort and strong execution across the board, Batavia set the tone early in front of the home crowd. The Bulldogs now carry that momentum on the road as they turn their focus to Week 2. 

The Batavia Bulldogs kicked off the 2026 season with a statement victory, powering past Maine South 49-35 in an impressive team performance. Fueled by a relentless offensive effort and strong execution across the board, Batavia set the tone early in front of the home crowd. The Bulldogs now carry that momentum on the road as they turn their focus to Week 2.