Burlington Central finally gets a win
On Senior Night and in its final game of the season, Burlington Central earned its first win, defeating Rockford Christian 32-6 Friday night. And as the seniors and coaches reflected back on their season, the rainy weather might have been symbolic of exactly just how their season has been - rain pouring steadily for the first half, but clearing up and improving by the end.
Seniors Jason Berango and Brad Sorensen each scored 2 touchdowns for the host Rockets, and both reflected back on the lessons they learned throughout this tough season, and also what they can pass on for next year's seniors.
"It's a tough feeling to go through this in our senior season," Berango said. "But it was a great way to end on Senior Night with a win and a first win for a new coach. There were times when everyone wanted to give up, but we still had to finish the season, and I think we improved as the season went on. You've just got to keep your head up and keep pushing through because good things will happen for you as long as you give it a hundred percent."
With both teams entering the game without a win, Sorensen indicated that he and his teammates knew they would be in for a battle.
"This season was a battle for sure," Sorensen said. "But we learned how to battle, and with a new coach we learned how to change. We knew both teams were coming into tonight with a lot of emotion … to know that they're working just as hard as we are to get those extra yards, and then it was just left to see who had the right mindset to finish it."
Berango got the Rockets on the board with a 6-yard run as the first quarter came to a close, and senior Robert Doubek took it in for the 2-point conversion for an 8-0 lead.
After swapping punts with the Royal Lions (0-9, 0-5), Sorensen took a handoff and sprinted to the left sideline for a 69-yard run, and he nearly scored, but was brought down on the 10-yard line. Four plays later, Sorensen took it in from 1-yard out to put the Rockets (1-8, 0-5) up 14-0.
The double-digit lead didn't last long, as Royal Lion quarterback Patrick McMahon lofted a perfect pass to Aaron Toleski for a 60-yard touchdown pass only 20 seconds after the Rockets scored to close to the score to 14-6.
Berango and Sorensen went back to work. On a drive that started at their own 44-yard line, Sorensen carried for 6 and 10 yards. Then it was Berango's turn, as the senior had runs for 5 and 32 yards to give the Rockets a first-and-goal on the Royal Lion 3-yard line. Sorensen took it in from there to put the Rockets back up 20-6.
On the Rockets' second drive of the second half, Sorensen (26 carries, 261 yards) gained 45 of his 100 second half yards to help get to Rockets to first-and-goal on the 2-yard line, and Berango capped off the drive with his second touchdown of the night and a 26-6 Rockets lead.
Senior Tommy Moretti scored the Rockets' final points of the year on a run from 2 yards out as time expired in the third quarter.
First-year head coach Jason Newburger was glad to see his seniors get a win in their last game.
"These kids are hardworking, great kids," Newburger said. "They don't quit, and work very hard. I'm very proud we were able to get this one for them and send them off with a win. It's been a tough year, but going into week six and not being in the playoffs, I told the kids 'you're going to learn a lot about yourself.' Some of the biggest lessons can be learned during times like this. To see the way they've grown in the past few weeks with really nothing to play for, I'm extremely proud of them. A nice way to send them out with the rain falling, under the lights, and with a win."
Newburger indicated that he learned a lot in his first year of coaching and hopes to use that valuable experience to bring more success to the program next year.
"I can't even begin to tell you everything I've learned in my first year," Newburger said. "You think you know everything coming in and you think you're ready for the job … it was an eye-opening experience for sure. We're going to hit it hard in the off-season and come out ready to go next season."