Eagles Flyin' High to Champaign

By: Ryan Plinske
Tuesday, November 25, 2008 at 10:08pm

For the very first time in history, an Aurora high school is making the trip down state to Champaign! The Eagles of Aurora Christian finished off the season undefeated with a record of 13-0 and clinched the Private School League title. Their opponents Bloomington Central Catholic, also undefeated (13-0), made it to state last year against Driscoll Catholic and lost.

Aurora Christian: Aurora Christian’s high-powered offense is led by All-State quarterback Jordan Roberts, All-State wide out Matt Morse, and running back Lewis Gaddis. This year Roberts has broken the IHSA career records in passing yards and touchdowns. Morse has been huge for (Don) Beebe’s offense this year. In his first game back after injury (mono), he scored 4 touchdowns and 243 yards receiving. He has primarily been Roberts’ go-to guy through the air this season. However, he hasn’t been the only one to step it big for Roberts and the passing game. Senior wide out/defensive back David Zielke has been Beebe’s x-factor all season on both sides of the ball. He filled in big when Morse was out for the first 4 games, and even though he’s been pushed to the side a little since then, his production has still been there with 43 receptions, 523 yards receiving, and 9 touchdowns. When it comes down to it, defense wins championships and Aurora Christian’s defense has been tops in all areas. Their defense is led by a plethora of seniors. Peter Kariotis, Andru Ubert, Eric Andersen, and Braxton Warner all take care of the defensive line. Ryan Perik, Lewis Gaddis, and Luis Solario are all linebackers huge at shutting down the opponents’ rushing and passing attacks. At the defensive back position, Zac Copple, David Zielke, Marcus Schmidt, and Brandon Oest all are exceptional tacklers in the open field, exceptional at pass coverage, and able to read the pass extremely well. The defense will rely on the senior leadership to stop the offense of the Saint’s.

Bloomington Central Catholic: Last year the Saints finished as state 4A runner-up to Driscoll. This year they had some reloading to do if they wanted to repeat after graduating their star RB Ryan Waldron (1,970 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns). They have done just that with a strong nucleus of returning offensive starters lead by QB Adam Rebholz (124-170 attempts, 1954 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions), RB Brad Connor (146 carries, 696 yards, and 12 touchdowns), and TE Dylan Johnson (31 receptions, 563 yards, and 7 touchdowns). Other Saints players to watch for are OT Joe Ring, OG Jack Wombacher, LB David Murray, DB Dan Curran, LB Sean Stokes, and LB Austin Sherwood, all mainstays on the offensive and defensive sides. Bloomington Central Catholic has out scored their opponents with a margin of 528 to 150.

The Saints are hoping to reroute the Eagles’ chances of winning Friday night with their superb offense and outstanding defensive attack. Bloomington Central Catholic will be Aurora Christian’s first big test so far in the playoffs.

I believe that both teams will have enough fire power to keep them in the game, but it depends on whose defense wants it more this week. In the Eagles’ playoff games this year, they’ve allowed 57 points while scoring 122. Both defenses will be the deciding factor for the game.

Prediction: Aurora Christian 24, Bloomington Central Catholic 21