Smith, defense help A-C soar in second half
Entering the playoffs as a highly ranked and undefeated team, Aurora Christian had about as tough a start to its playoff run as any team could want.
Before halftime, the Eagles had already turned the ball over three times, committed several untimely penalties -- including one that brought back a touchdown -- and had zero yards passing the ball.
But in the second half, the Eagles came out and put the ball into the hands of senior running back John Smith.
Smith came through in a big way, running for 2 touchdowns. Given the wet conditions, Smith carried 18 times after intermission without a fumble as the Eagles posted a 24-0 victory over Rockford Christian in the opening round of the Class 3A playoffs.
"The mud kind of threw off our offense," said Smith. "But the seniors, it clicked in our heads that we really have to get this done because it could be our last half. We were able to get it together, the line started to dominate and gave me and Sean (O'Boyle) lanes to run and sealed it off for us.
"It was great, I have never felt so good running the ball as I did in the second half. The conditions for our running game, perfect, we loved it. I'll take this every week."
Smith gained 218 yards on 31 carries. The Eagles rushed for 389 yards in the game.
Quarterback Jordan Roberts rushed for 102 yards, including a 51-yard TD run in the first half, and O'Boyle picked up 69 yards.
"Everything that could go wrong, was going wrong but we were still able to persevere," said Aurora Christian coach Don Beebe. "I look at how hard John Smith ran tonight and I just say, 'Wow that guy is a stud.'
"He really is. He may be one of the most underrated running backs in this whole area. Not too many people know him and they should. The kid is a player."
In an error-filled first half, Rockford Christian (5-5) was winning the field-position battle as punter Coltan Gann pinned the Eagles (10-0) inside their own 10-yard line three times. A fumble gave the Royal Lions the ball at the Aurora Christian 20-yard line in the second quarter.
But Aurora Christian senior linebacker Tommy Velazquez came up with a huge play, sticking Rockford Christian running back Brett Koepp in the backfield and ripping the ball loose. Velazquez also recovered the loose ball.
"That's what we thrive on," said Velasquez. "Sometimes the defense gets put in difficult situations, and actually, we love it. We are able to show the strength and the toughness we have and the reason we do what we do and that reason is the Lord. We were able to rally to the ball and we knew what we needed to do and we forced the fumble."
The Eagles' defense allowed just 60 total yards from scrimmage in the game and recorded 15 plays for negative yards or no gain. Ryan Perik was credited with 13 tackles, including a sack.
Smith added 10 tackles.
"Our defense has been great all year and is the key to our victories right now," said Beebe. "If we are fortunate enough to have a deep playoff run, it will be because of our defense."