Getting used to varsity football was going pretty well for Geneva’s Finn Weppner.

But then over the past several weeks, as star junior receiver Talyn Taylor was sidelined with an injury, Weppner realized how much he would have to accelerate that development.

“When I found out he was hurt, I was like, ‘I have to step up,’” Weppner said. “This team, especially for the seniors, we have to bring this team deep into the playoffs.

“If a guy that big goes down, others have to step up.”

Weppner stepped up and then some Friday for the Vikings in the first round of the Class 6A playoffs. The junior receiver caught two touchdown passes in a 50-8 win over Senn.

On the first play of the game, Weppner caught a 53-yard TD pass from Nate Stempowski. He had a 35-yard TD catch later in the first quarter, setting the tone for host Geneva (8-2).

Jacob Black ran for 75 yards and a TD for the Vikings, while Dominic DiLeonardi tallied TD runs of 7 and 8 yards. Troy Velez added an 11-yard TD run and Will Peterson caught an 18-yard TD pass from Tony Chahino.

Geneva coach Boone Thorgesen said the TD pass on the first play was part of the original installation of the offense coming into this season.

“We thought we’d go back to it this week and see what it gets us,” said Thorgesen, who celebrated his 35th birthday Friday. “I’m just happy for the execution by the kids.

“Winning a playoff game is always special.”

Weppner also was ready for the call.

“I ran the drag, and as soon as I caught it, I saw that I had space,” he said. “Space is something I love to work with. I made a few moves and found myself running down the field with nobody near me.

“There’s no better feeling in the world.”

Geneva jumped out to a 35-0 lead a mere eight seconds into the second quarter. The lead was 48-8 at halftime, bring on a running clock in the second half.

Thorgesen, meanwhile, knew he had a talented player last year as Weppner dominated on the sophomore level. The jump to varsity isn’t always seamless, though.

“He’s developed nicely,” Thorgesen said. “Junior year is a hard year for some kids. There are a lot of ups and downs. It’s his first year playing varsity football. It’s not always going to be good. I think Finn went through that.

“He stuck with it and he’s gotten better. He was one of the better players on the field (Friday).”

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Weppner said he’s played with Stempowski since they were on Tri-Cities together in grade school. That chemistry has helped ease his transition to varsity as well.

“Ever since Talyn went down, we’ve gotten our chemistry down and it’s gone up from there,” Stempowski said. “It’s important to get that timing down.

“Coming in, he was the automatic wide receiver two. He’s making plays for me. He’s my guy right now.”

Weppner is the team’s second-leading receiver behind Taylor, who missed his fourth straight game Friday. Weppner heads into the second round with 22 catches for 290 yards and four TDs.

“Last year, I talked to (Stempowski) and I said, ‘You’ve got me next year,’” Weppner said. “We have to step it up and take this team far. A 50-8 playoff win is huge. That’s a good start.

“We haven’t won a home playoff game in eight years. We had to win at home. The fans wanted to see it. The students wanted to see it. We wanted to see it. We just needed it. It’s such a good feeling to walk away with a win.”

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