By Paul D. Bowker
MaxPreps.com
The University of Notre Dame may have Touchdown Jesus, but Aurora Christian High has God‘s Field and a record-breaking quarterback.
Jordan Roberts, a senior quarterback at Aurora Christian, broke the Illinois record for touchdown passes last week in a 42-28 victory over Chicago Christian at God‘s Field. Aurora Christian, a small private school located in the western suburbs of Chicago, has won its first five football games this season.
With four touchdown passes against Chicago Christian – all to Matt Morse – Roberts’ career total stands at 98. The previous state record of 95 was set by Luke Hockaday of Maroa-Forsyth in 2006.
“It’s history. Just to be able to do that with him means a lot to me,” Morse told the Beacon-News of Aurora, Ill.
Friday night at Chicago‘s Luther South, Roberts will go for the state‘s all-time passing record of 8,308 yards, set by Rochester‘s Wil Lunt. Roberts needs 229 yards to tie the record, a lofty number for some.
However, consider that he threw for 366 yards last week alone and that the Eagles are unbeaten.
While private schools such as St. Rita and Mount Carmel usually get the football headlines around Chicago due to their strong play in the Catholic League Blue, Roberts and his Super Bowl-winning head coach, former Buffalo Bills and Green Bay Packers receiver Don Beebe, have helped lift the Eagles into prep prominence. The Eagles made it to the semifinals in the state playoffs last season. They have lost only once in the last two seasons, that coming in the state semifinals to last year‘s Class 3A champion, Plano.
This season the Eagles have scored 184 points in their five victories. They’ll likely play for the Private School League championship Oct. 11 at Melrose Park’s Walther Lutheran; the Broncos have won their first three league games.
Beebe, an Aurora native, has coached Aurora Christian since 2004 and operates House of Speed, a training and conditioning program for athletes.
Finally, on the Field
Craig Drummond of Morgan Park, rated as one of the country’s top defensive ends, may actually play for the Mustangs on Friday night when they meet Simeon at Gately Stadium.
Drummond has not played this season due to a foot injury and received medical clearance to begin practicing this week. A 6-foot-5, 260-pound prospect, Drummond is said to be considering as many as 30 Division I offers.
Drummond’s return would come at a key time for Morgan Park. The Mustangs, 3-2, have won their first two league games in the Illini (Prairie State), and now face Simeon, Hubbard and Julian on successive weeks. The Hubbard game on Oct. 11 may be a showdown for the league title; the Greyhounds are 5-0 and twice have topped 50 points in scoring.
Stats and Such…
* Maine South QB Charlie Goro, a Vanderbilt verbal, threw for three touchdowns and scored twice in a 56-8 victory over Evanston. Goro has thrown for eight touchdowns in his last two games. The Hawks are 5-0.
* Mt. Carmel RB Milton Greer rushed for 193 yards and three touchdowns in a 35-10 win over Brother Rice. The Caravan’s win broke a two-game losing streak.
* Morgan Park RB Dominique Bell ran for four touchdowns, all in the first half, in a 47-0 win over Dunbar. He totaled 184 yards on 18 carries in the first half.
* York QB Tom Judge threw for 223 yards and ran for 146 yards in a 21-20 in over Lyons. His 26-yard scoring pass won the game.
* Naperville North CB Kevin Sheehan had three interceptions in a 27-20 victory over Glenbard North in a DuPage Valley game.
Games to Watch…
* Naperville North (5-0, 3-0) takes on rival Naperville Central (4-1, 2-1) in a DuPage Valley showdown Friday night. North is the defending Class 8A state champ.
* St. Rita (5-0, 2-0) took charge in the Catholic League Blue the last two weeks with wins over Mount Carmel and Providence Catholic. Now, Loyola Academy (4-1, 1-1) awaits St. Rita Saturday afternoon.
* Wheaton Warrenville South (5-0, 3-0) puts its unbeaten streak on the line Friday night against Aurora (3-2, 1-2). Looming big for the Tigers is a season-ending battle with Naperville North on Oct. 24.
Volleyball: Benet is 18-0
Benet’s girls’ volleyball team won its 17th and 18th consecutive matches this week, including a 25-22, 19-25, 25-21 victory over Downers Grove South.
Ariana Mankus had 17 kills for the Redwings.
The teams could meet in the Class 4A sectional at Downers South later this month.
Paul Bowker covers the Chicago area for MaxPreps. He may be reached at bowkerpaul1@aol.com.