By Al Benson
Eight contests known as the Battle of the Big Butts had 300 football linemen competing at West Aurora High School Thursday, July 15.
After being canceled in 2020 due to the pandemic, the 21st annual event opened at 3 p.m. at West Aurora’s stadium and practice fields. Varsity and fresh-soph athletes competed separately.
Teams entered were Aurora Christian, Batavia, Crystal Lake South, Downers Grove North, Glenbard East, Geneva, Hinsdale Central, Hubbard, Joliet Central, Kaneland, Lemont, Lockport, Manteno, Marengo, Niles West, Oswego East, Plainfield Central, Waubonsie Valley, West Aurora, Wheaton North, Wheaton Warrenville South, and Yorkville. Teams were limited to five student-athletes. Six- and four-man teams were allowed but could not win a team championship.
Contests included 40-yard dash, bench press, medicine-ball throw, agility run, tractor-tire relay, sled drive, tug-of-war and watermelon- eating. Awards were presented to top teams and competitors in each event, and watermelon-eating winners.
In varsity contests, host West Aurora won first place in the five-man sled drive and Hugo Sanchez won the watermelon-eating contest. Other team champions were: Bench press, Batavia and Wheaton North; 40-yard dash, Wheaton North; medicine ball, Yorkville; agility run, Lemont; tractor-tire relay, Wheaton-Warrenville South; and tug of war, Yorkville. Fresh-soph team winners were: Bench press, Oswego East; 40-yard dash, West Aurora; medicine ball, Glenbard East; agility run, West Aurora; tractor-tire relay, Wheaton-Warrenville South; five-man sled, Oswego East; tug-of-war, Oswego East; and watermelon-eating, Batavia.
Michael Runge, Blackhawk assistant football coach, coordinated the event. He said, “There are numerous seven-on-seven passing leagues for the backs, receivers, and linebackers to compete in. This event is to showcase the workhorses of our programs, the offensive and defensive linemen. This is a chance for them to be the focus of the day, while they compete both individually and as teams.
“This event was organized in 1999 by Mike Powers, assistant coach at St. Charles High School. He brought the competition with him when he came to West Aurora in 2006. In 2015, it gained national recognition when it was covered by Sports Illustrated.
“In 2016 Mike retired from coaching football. West Aurora is proud to continue this event in Mike’s honor and for all of those unsung heroes of the gridiron, the linemen!” Runge said.