IC Catholic rolls past Aurora Christian
IC Catholic Prep coach Bill Krefft was looking forward to Friday night's away contest with Aurora Christian, a new member of the Metro Suburban Conference Blue Division.
Although his team is the two-time defending Class 3A champion, Krefft wanted to see how his Knights matched up with the Eagles, who dominated when both teams played in the Suburban Christian Conference.
By any yardstick ICCP showed that it still is the dominant force in the league, blanking Aurora Christian 44-0.
"This game was a benchmark for our program. I was welcoming this game to measure ourselves," Krefft said "When they left the conference they were at the top. We had success while they were away and we wanted to see how we matched up when they came back. And I am happy with where we fit."
The Knights dominated on both sides of the ball, gaining a total of 389 yards while holding the Eagles (4-1, 2-1) to 139.
ICCP (5-0, 3-0) rushed for 285 yards and passed for 104.
Sophomore Kyle Franklin led the ground game, rumbling 186 yards on 25 carries and scoring two touchdowns.
"Franklin is getting better every week. It is important to remember he's just a sophomore," Krefft said. "He's growing every week."
Franklin scored his first TD on the Knights' opening drive of the game, scoring on a 1-yard plunge. He also crossed the goal line in the second quarter on a 55-yard run.
"Thanks to our linemen for their beautiful blocks and open holes. I just followed them," Franklin said.
Quarterback Khalil Saunders completed 4 of 9 passes for 88 yards. Two of his strikes went for touchdowns. In the first quarter the senior connected with Ryan Malek for a 24-yard score. In the second quarter his brother Khali Saunders caught a 42-yarder for the team's fourth score.
The Knights led 16-0 after the first quarter and 30-0 at halftime.
Steven Crady ran 74 yards in the third quarter to put ICCP up 37-0.
Sophomore reserve Will Cook ended the scoring with a 12-yard run in the fourth quarter.
"We understand that in every season, especially when you played in the (Chicago Catholic League) like we have for the last four years that there some games that you are overmatched and you have to learn from them," said Aurora coach David Beebe "There are a lot of things you can learn when you get your tail kicked."