Aurora Christian falls to Bloomington Central 37-28 in title game

CHAMPAIGN - Aurora Christian's record-setting year, and Jordan Roberts' record-setting career, came to an end in record-setting fashion Friday night in the Class 4A championship game.

Roberts and the high-powered Eagles got into a shootout with Bloomington Central Catholic at Memorial Stadium. Unlike most of the high-scoring contests in Don Beebe's tenure, this time the opposition proved more explosive, winning 37-28 to deny the Eagles their first state title.

It took a storied program to beat them. Bloomington Catholic completed a 14-0 season, becoming the first team to win state championships in four different classes, while the Eagles (13-1) will go down as the first Aurora school to play for a state title.

"We just didn't stop them as many times as they stopped us," Beebe said. "That's a great football team we just played."

Roberts went 27 of 55 for 365 yards and 4 touchdowns, setting Class 4A state championship records in each category. Receiver David Zielke also broke the 4A record with 10 receptions (for 163 yards and 2 scores).

Roberts ends his career shattering the state record with 127 career touchdowns, 32 more than the previous mark. He ended up just short of 10,000 career yards with a state-best 9,755.

"The first half they were bringing the heat," said Roberts, who despite the records is still looking for a college scholarship offer. "I was just trying to make plays."

Roberts' counterpart, Adam Rebholz, matched him touchdown-for-touchdown, throwing a pair and rushing for two. Rebholz completed 16 of 21 passes for 319 yards as the Saints outgained the Eagles 487-405.

"I keep hearing about all these other quarterbacks, he's as good as any of them," Bloomington Catholic coach Bobby Moews said.

The Saints scored on their second play from scrimmage. Rebholz stepped away from a potential sack and connected with Dylan Johnson on a 67-yard catch and run, with the Eagles missing more tackles, which proved to be a problem all night.

"That is the one thing you are going to watch the film and kick yourself on, we didn't tackle very well," Beebe said.

The Saints held that 6-0 lead after the first quarter, but it could have been worse. Lewis Gaddis intercepted a pass to thwart one drive deep in Eagles territory, and Aurora Christian caught a break when Bloomington recovered a fumble and ran for a first down but the ball was ruled down.

Roberts capitalized, throwing across his body for a 7-yard touchdown pass to Zielke. Jack VanGilse's extra point put the Eagles ahead 7-6 - which lasted all of 1:56 when Rebholz answered with a 20-yard scamper.

Bloomington's lead was even more short-lived. Roberts found Zielke on a crossing route that Zielke turned into a 72-yard touchdown on the Eagles' next play from scrimmage. The Saints regained the lead 17 seconds before halftime after another perfect pass from Rebholz set up David Murray's 1-yard run and a 20-14 lead.

Roberts brought the Eagles back in the third quarter with a 24-yard touchdown strike to Matt Morse capping an 87-yard drive and answering the Saints' score on their opening drive of the second half.

Trailing 27-21, Aurora Christian had a chance to regain the lead. Zac Copple and Zielke made big catches on third down (AC was 8 of 14 for the game), moving the ball to the Saints' 12-yard line, but a sack and incompletion stopped the drive.

Missed tackles again hurt the Eagles' on Bloomington's next drive, which ended with Kendall Cox's 24-yard field goal and a two-score lead, 30-21. Roberts found Morse for another touchdown but Aurora Christian never again got the ball with a chance to tie or go ahead.

Now 49-11 in his five years at Aurora Christian, Beebe said he was most proud of the way his team kept coming back - both on the scoreboard and from some vicious hits.

"That showed the toughness of these kids, wideouts taking shots like they were, they were right back in there," Beebe said. "They have no fear at all. It says a lot about their character.

"It was certainly the two best teams in 4A playing. No doubt about that."

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