Brunner scores 3 TDs in first start, leads Jacobs past Cary-Grove

After two years as a reserve, Jacobs junior Aiden Brunner started his first varsity game Friday night at Cary-Grove in the Fox Valley Conference opener.

The two-way player made the occasion quite memorable, scoring all three of the Golden Eagles touchdowns in the 20-6 victory.

Brunner crossed the goal line on a six-yard Austin Stennett pass, a two-yard rumble and a 21-yard fumble recovery.

“He’s been waiting in the wings two years. He’s been up with us on varsity since his freshman year. He got some reps last year at outside back. He’s a two-way player and he’s a stud. I’m super proud of him,” Jacobs coach Brian Zimmerman said.

“He also does the little things, the blocking, running and defensive play. We have a long tradition of running backs in our program and he’s stepping right in.”

Brunner scored his first TD with 2:18 left in the first half. The junior’s second score finished Jacobs' first drive of the third quarter and put the Golden Eagles ahead, 12-7.

On the second play of Cary-Grove’s ensuing drive, Brunner scooped up a fumble and scampered to the end zone.

Brunner rushed for 117 yards on 15 carriers.

“One of my teammates popped the ball out the hands of the Cary-Grove rusher and it landed right into my hands,” Brunner said.

Holding Cary-Grove to one touchdown was also a key to the Golden Eagles’ first win over the Trojans since 2022.

“Our defense was unbelievable. We held Cary-Grove to seven points and that is not an easy feat to do,” Zimmerman said. “They are such a storied program with a great history so to be able to get a win on their home field means a lot to our program.”

Cary-Grove stuck mostly to its running game. Trojans quarterback Jackson Berndt, who scored the Trojans’ TD, grounded out most of the yardage, gaining 116 yards on 13 attempts. The junior’s biggest gain was a 72-yard sprint to the end zone that ended Cary-Grove’s first possession.

After Cary-Grove’s opening scoring drive, the team could not continue the momentum.

“Our turnovers and penalties were probably the difference in the game,” Cary-Grove coach Brad Seaburg said. “Our inability to sustain drives and match what they were doing hurt us offensively.”

Brunner’s final score was his favorite.

“I never had a defensive touchdown before,’ the junior said.