Aurora Christian searches for right mindset
Aurora Christian enters its Class 3A playoff opener against Oregon with a basic mindset. “We don't want to lose our first game,” Eagles coach Don Beebe said.
Who does?
Yet after failing to score an offensive touchdown in last week's 39-7 loss to St. Francis “the worst football game we've ever played,” Beebe said basics ain't bad.
“You have to look at Oregon as this could be our last game,” Beebe said. “At that same time, you don't want to put that pressure on them because you want them to enjoy it and just go out there and play and have fun, relax and do what you can do.
“I know this if you play hard you can live with the result. If you choke because you put too much pressure on yourself you'll kick yourself the rest of your life.”
The sixth-seeded Eagles (5-4) should come in free and easy because the spread offense while requiring no less stringent execution as the Wing-T of No. 3 Oregon (6-3) is inherently fun to run.
Quarterback Anthony Maddie has thrown for 1,843 yards and 18 touchdowns, with 12 interceptions. The bulk of those picks have come against the likes of Marian Central, Marmion and St. Francis among Class 3A's toughest schedule of seven playoff teams. Oregon and DuQuoin are one behind; Aurora Christian and Oregon coach John Bothe's Hawks' opponents finished with identical records of 52-29.
Beebe said Oregon blitzes in front of a Cover-3 defense, allowing the short pass while protecting deep. That shouldn't handicap Aurora Christian's receiver core of Grayson Roberts, Andrew Cassara, Brandon Mayes and Chad Beebe, broken foot and all. While Cassara averages 20.4 yards per catch and Chad Beebe is at 16.8 with a team-high 7 touchdown receptions, all are solid possession receivers.
“(Y)ou have to be consistent, with a high completion ratio, let your kids catch balls and try to make people miss,” Don Beebe said. “I think we have some kids who can do that and we'll have to block well, too.”
The coach compared Oregon players such as running backs Braden Barton and Connor Skoumal to those recent championship Plano teams small yet tough, passion galore. He hopes the Eagles take the hint.
“They've got a clear understanding that if they come in timid, if they come in not mentally prepared they could lose to anybody, it doesn't matter who it is,” Beebe said. “If they come in backs to the wall, like a cornered animal, we could make a run. It's just the whole mindset of playing sports.”