Aurora Christian rolls in rare Tuesday night game
Aurora Christian and DuSable met for a rare Tuesday night football game because of the storms over the weekend. Maybe because it was an unusual day for a game so many unusual things happened in the game.
The Eagles started quickly, but the Panthers were hanging in there with the two-time defending Class 3A state champs until the start of the second quarter.
Aurora Christian scored four touchdowns in one minute and 10 seconds and 43 points in the second quarter alone and coasted to a 64-0 victory.
The Eagles’ Legend Smith, Brandon Walgren and Dan Brown all returned interceptions for touchdowns as part of that run and Trevor Hills recovered a fumble at the 3-yard line that became another score on the next play as quarterback Austin Bray hit Noah Roberts with a touchdown pass, Bray’s fourth touchdown pass of the game.
“Defensively, we have 11 guys out there that can run and, I think, that is a record for us, the three defensive touchdowns,” said Eagles coach Don Beebe. “But the chemistry thing is what I needed to see. We took a three day retreat and they really came together. It’s the best thing we ever did, it’s the best thing I’ve seen in 10 years the way they came together and I thought tonight they came out and did what they had to do and we have to build on that.”
Offensively, Bray connected on six of his first eight throws and had completions to five different receivers in the first half with touchdown throws to Walgren, Noah Hagerty and two to Roberts. For the night, Bray was 11 for 19 for 145 yards.
“I was extremely anxious to play,” said Bray. “After the delay, I was disappointed but we got out here today and we were able to show what we are about and Friday we’re going to do it again. I’m comfortable with the offense and my offensive line is amazing. I love my O-line and my wide receivers are great, too.”
The second half featured a running clock from the start. The Eagles ran one offensive play and Kimani Mobley went 26 yards for a touchdown.
On the Panthers’ next possession, running back Emmanual Williams suffered a leg injury that required medical attention on the field. The teams decided at that point to not play the fourth quarter and called the game.
“We didn’t need to get anyone else hurt,” said Beebe. “They were very good about agreeing with that.”
That is something that could only happen on a Tuesday.