Scouting Aurora Christian @ St. Edward

Posted October 08, 2009 11:00 pm

Aurora Christian (4-2, 3-0) at St. Edward (5-1, 2-1)

Game time 7 p.m. today

Last year Did not play.

Last week Aurora Christian 26, Immaculate Conception 20 (OT); St. Edward 55, Guerin 6.

Outlook Coming off a Suburban Christian Conference Gold win over IC with great implications for both teams - inaugural Gold title possibilities for Aurora Christian, IC hanging onto a playoff thread - the Eagles visit another Gold contender. St. Edward, seeking its third playoff berth overall and first since 2003, beat IC 46-38 in Week 3. Eagles coach Don Beebe was there scouting, and while he enjoyed watching IC pass for 493 yards while rallying from a 40-15 fourth-quarter deficit, he was impressed by the size, physicality and abilities of St. Edward. Senior running backs David Hoebbel and Jordan Torres have combined for 1,106 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns, and Torres is 6-foot-2, 220. Quarterback Ben Lehman has thrown for 903 yards and 11 interceptions, most of those numbers to 6-7 Zack Von Ahnen and 6-3 Sam Pozezinski. Those are tall orders for Aurora Christian defensive backs, who will benefit from the return of senior Donald Patterson, out since Week 2 with a high-ankle sprain. St. Edward's Shane Finnane is a four-year starter who defensively has moved from the interior line, and with 6 passes defended to go along with a team-high 68 tackles, shows footwork along with 240 pounds of muscle. Even Finnane and defensive end Dan Duffy (11 sacks) will have a tough time caging Eagles back Johnny Magee, who ran for 202 tackle-breaking yards against IC, his third 200-yard effort of the season. Magee added a 94-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, again evading a tackle. To beat this Green Wave group - which would ensure Aurora Christian of at least a share of the Gold title - this will take an entire team effort, from quarterback Grayson Roberts to receiver Sheldon Magee to Arthur Sampson and the offensive line to defenders Dean Griffing, Dylan Smith, Sam Miller and David Benson. They key - Don Beebe's said it all season - will be turnover ratio. "We'll just have to play physical, as I know they will, too," he said.

Next week: St. Francis (5-1) at Aurora Christian, Oct. 16; Marian Central (4-2) at St. Edward, Oct. 16.

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