Scouting Aurora Christian at St. Francis

Game time: 7:30 p.m. today, Wheaton College.

Last year: St. Francis 35, Aurora Christian 20.

Last week: Aurora Christian 40, Immaculate Conception 14; St. Francis 42, Aurora Central Catholic 7.

Outlook: Aurora Christian (45 playoff points) and St. Francis (42) both should be in fine shape to reach the postseason regardless of this Suburban Christian Conference Blue division outcome. Walther Lutheran (0-4) appears to have the basement sewn up going against Marian Central. So this contest affords each team the opportunity to batten its hatches for Week 10. While St. Francis was beating Aurora Central last week wingback Colin O'Donnell ran for 53 yards and a touchdown plus 57 yards receiving and another touchdown on a pass from Nick Donati Aurora Christian was cooking with gas against IC. The Eagles scored on each of their first-half possessions and piled on when on a designed play Sam Miller (56 tackles, 4 for loss) blocked a punt and erstwhile quarterback Anthony Maddie returned it 20 yards for a touchdown. Maddie (108-214 passing for 1,747 yards, 18 touchdowns, 10 interceptions; 416 yards rushing) will challenge St. Francis' 3-5 defense for the reasons he delights Eagles coach Don Beebe his legs and his arm. Concerning the latter, Maddie again had sophomore Chad Beebe (35 receptions, 563 yards, 7 touchdowns) to pass to. Beebe will play on a broken foot as long as he can stand the pain. Aurora Christian hopes to bring the pain to St. Francis' misdirection Wing-T offense which features O'Donnell, Ben Trimble (472 yards, 5 touchdowns) and Bobby Miller (571 yards, 14 touchdowns). The Eagles have seen it before, it's just a question of stopping it. Coming off Aurora Christian's best game against a solid foe, Don Beebe is in good spirits: "I like this team right now."