Scouting St. Francis @ Aurora Christian
St. Francis (5-2) at Aurora Christian (5-2)
Game time 7:15 p.m. today
Last year Did not play.
Last week Marian Central 14, St. Francis 12; Aurora Christian 23, St. Edward 18.
Outlook The last time Aurora Christian played in a Suburban Christian Conference crossover against a Blue division foe, the Eagles got crunched 41-8 at Montini. Although St. Francis beat Montini 51-31, Aurora Christian may be on more equal footing. Literally, since the Eagles' artificial surface is much more generous to speedsters like Johnny Magee, Sheldon Magee, Matt Luckman, Nate Jensen and Donald Patterson - 3 passes defended at cornerback last week, his first full game since a Week 2 ankle injury - than was Montini's mud and grass concoction. Trouble is, St. Francis' Wing-T offense - and, more, its 3-5 defense - is attuned to speed. "They are the fastest, most explosive team we've faced," said Aurora Christian coach Don Beebe, whose Eagles clinched conference rep honors last week and with it their eighth straight playoff appearance. "I think their speed on their turf is really an advantage," countered St. Francis coach Greg Purnell, who took the Spartans to a 13-1 record and Class 5A title in 2008, a year removed from a 3-6 record. "I'm anxious to see what we can do on their turf." Led by Bob Miller with 427 yards, St. Francis has five players with at least 152 yards rushing, including quarterback Collin O'Donnell. They much prefer the run to the pass, yet O'Donnell has still thrown 5 touchdowns in just 49 passes. Last week, Marian Central stacked the box and forced the pass, not the Spartans' game. A big test for Aurora Christian will be how its linemen can withstand size and trapping schemes of St. Francis' offense and, on the other side, hold up against a flurry of linebackers. Another concern is health. Beebe said 21 of 40 players missed practice Monday due to flue, swine flu or pneumonia. With eight two-way starters, that could snap the momentum of a big win over St. Edward. "We want to play well against a great opponent, but my greatest fear now is I hope we have enough guys," Beebe said.
Next week St. Francis at Aurora Central (1-6, 0-3), Oct. 23; Aurora Christian at Guerin (2-5, 0-4), Oct. 24.