Aurora Christian rolls behind McQuade’s 5 TDs
Aurora Christian starts the year as defending Class 3A state champs but they also start with one big question, who will replace quarterback Anthony Maddie?
It looked like senior Ryan McQuade might have a hard time filling those shoes, starting the opener hitting on just 2 of 8 attempts and throwing an early interception.
But McQuade settled in and connected on 10 of his next 12 throws, including 5 touchdowns, and the Eagles pulled away from DuSable with a huge second quarter and cruised to a 48-0 opening night victory.
“I could not be prouder of that kid, I really could not,” said Aurora Christian defensive coordinator Dave Beebe of McQuade. “Sometime around March he made a decision that this was his dream and he has given it everything and you are seeing the product of a lot of work.”
McQuade finished the night 15 of 25 passing for a total of 256 yards, 6 touchdown throws and just the 1 pick. After his slow start, McQuade seemed to start looking for senior wide receiver Chad Beebe with some short passes that Beebe turned into big plays. The head coach’s son ended the night with 10 catches for 171 yards and 4 touchdowns.
“The bubble screens and shovel passes are things that are high-percentage throws and we want to get Chad the ball,” said Dave Beebe. “We have a handful of kids that we just want to get them the ball and let them do their thing in space.”
“I think there might have been some first-game jitters but Ryan stepped up big-time after the first couple plays,” said Chad Beebe. “You could see that he got comfortable and was able to sit in the pocket and throw great balls.”
Beebe’s best catch of the night was not one of his touchdowns but an amazing catch down the sideline in which he completely laid out to make a diving grab for 37 yards.
“He went and got that ball and it was like Superman, fully sold out,” said Dave Beebe. “I don’t know how he got to the ball, I really don’t. It was an unbelievable catch.”
McQuade also had other weapons as Cory Windle and Ryan Suttle each had touchdown catches.
Defensively, Aurora Christian never had and jitters. The Eagles completely shut down the Panthers all night long, allowing just 41 total yards for the game.
“One thing we teach these kids is that they just have to fly,” said Beebe. “I’m proud of these kids. It’s step one, it’s one game, but we got out of the game healthy and they just played fantastic.”
The defense was led by Joel Bouagnon, who had 11 tackles from his linebacker spot; and Brandon Mayes, who had a sack. Jonah Walker also had 8 tackles and batted down a pass.
Running back Legend Smith broke a 21-yard touchdowns run late in the third quarter for the Eagles’ final score of the night.