By Bobby Narang –
A change in conference hasn’t slowed down the Aurora Christian High School football team.
After moving from the Chicago Catholic League to the Metro Suburban Blue Conference, the Eagles are on track for another trip to the State playoffs.
The Eagles won their first three games by a combined score of 153-46, including Friday’s 50-18 victory over rival and host Aurora Central Catholic. The Eagles, 3-0 and 1-0, received four touchdowns from sophomore quarterback Ethan Hampton, 6-2 and 160, to knock off the Chargers. Hampton passed for 361 yards in the conference victory. Senior receiver Trey Madsen, 5-9 and 165, caught five passes for 185 yards, highlighted by a 90-yard touchdown play. Senior Caleb Beebe, 5-11 and 160, added seven catches for 87 yards.
Aurora Christian head coach David Beebe said, “Our offensive line has been playing well, as well as our QB, Ethan Hampton. He is extraordinary. Tremendous poise for a sophomore. And he is just not afraid to fail. He’s quite a joy to coach.
“Our defense thus far has been very consistent. Our defensive coordinator, John Jira, has been doing a fantastic job.
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“There are several kids that are playing well for us right now, but the biggest thing is that we are a bunch of guys that just love to compete together and don’t really care about how we win. We just want to win.”
Up next for the Eagles is a road Metro Suburban Blue game against host Riverside-Brookfield. The Bulldogs, 1-2 and 0-1, are coming off an 8-2 season, but returned with just three starters from last season’s playoff team.
Riverside-Brookfield head coach Brendan Curtin said the Eagles represent a tough early-season challenge. The Bulldogs lost, 64-0, to Bishop McNamara Friday.
“(Aurora Christian) has been a successful football program in the past,” he said. “I think they’ve always had tremendous skill position players, capable of scoring in bunches. They are another team that was relatively young last year, but return some guys in key spots. They have a young quarterback (Ethan Hampton) doing a really good job for them. It should be a good game. I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
The Eagles have a tough stretch of three Metro Blue games following the game at R-B. They will play host to two-time defending State champion IC Catholic Prep, 3-0 and 1-0, Friday, Sept. 21, then will go to St. Francis, 3-0, before closing out the three-game swing at Bishop McNamara, 3-0, 1-0.