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Aurora Central loses size, gains speed

Aurora Central Catholic welcomes back two players who will significantly impact a Chargers squad that seeks a third straight playoff berth for the first time since the 1990s.

In 2013 would-be returning starting quarterback Matt Rahn tore an anterior cruciate ligament before the season even began. That scuttled coach Brian Casey's plan to bring the passing game into more equal partnership with the ground game. Instead fabulous graduate Julian Rios paced the team's 2,175 yards rushing and 27 touchdowns while the Chargers threw for 445 and 3 scores.

Rahn is wiser, bigger, stronger, faster, throwing with more zip and "100 percent healthy," Casey said. He held up during the baseball season, and Casey said the main issue will be what happens the first time Rahn gets clocked. That's hopefully a mental aspect that will dissipate as soon as he gets off the turf.

The left-handed slinger has the physical attributes.

"He's not a running back playing quarterback anymore, he's a quarterback who can run," Casey said.

Speed is senior Brandon Babler's game. Back in pads for the first time since his freshman year after focusing on basketball, Babler will line up in the backfield, slot and split receiver and play cornerback on defense. He brings a vertical component even if that means a bubble screen for an 80-yard touchdown.

"He's a kid who's a home run threat that we haven't had in a long time," Casey said.

Receiver Mario May, back from his own season-ending physical ailments in 2013, joins returning all-conference running back-strong safety Roman Padilla and receivers Sean Tobin and Colin Baillie plus new skill players such as Jake Staudacher. Casey potentially has the most offensive balance in his five seasons.

The thing is, ACC is not very deep and except for 330-pound three-year starter Mikey Malawski, not as big up front as last season's steamrollers. However, in two-way tackle Jeff Kus, fellow returnee Chris Nilo, younger linemen Jairo Varela, Jacob Ishmael and on defense with Brant Krpan, they're more athletic.

Junior linebacker Ben Ariano comes off an all-conference campaign in 2013, the final season of the Suburban Christian Gold. He made 70 tackles, 12 for loss as last year's defense allowed just 18.5 points a game with the landmark 13-12 win over Marmion, Ariano joins another returning starter, senior linebacker Sam Kielty and also by sophomores such as Krpan, Patrick Flanigan and Griffin Sajac.

Casey fields three solid athletes - Kus, Ariano, Padilla - at each of the 4-3 defense's three levels. He has hall of famer John Belskis back for a second year as defensive coordinator.

ACC seeks a third straight playoff season for the first time since 1997. It'll be done in the new Metro Suburban Conference, a five-team league that accepted seven former SCC teams. The Chargers will face familiar foes Guerin, Chicago Christian, Wheaton Academy and nemesis IC Catholic but also Fenton, Riverside-Brookfield and Glenbard South, which went 10-1 last year.

"Last year I think we played better against the better teams," Casey said. "We were able to beat a good team (Marmion), so I think that was a huge step for us. The next step for the program is to win a playoff game. That's where we've got to get to. I think we have the talent to do so."

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