Burlington Central does its job, stymies Lake Zurich in second half of 6A playoff victory
Parker Auxier weighs about 160 pounds.
But he runs like an elusive 210-pounder.
And on Friday night, the Burlington Central senior running back carried the weight of his team's playoff hopes.
Auxier rushed for 116 yards and three touchdowns, and the ninth-seeded Rockets broke a halftime tie to defeat host and eighth-seeded Lake Zurich 27-13 in a Class 6A first-round football playoff game at Mel Eide Field.
The victory improved Burlington Central to 8-3 and ended the Bears' season at 6-4. It also showcased two teams that refused to yield much ground, particularly during a scoreless third quarter.
Until the Rockets finally found some room.
And some magic.
With 10:25 remaining in the fourth quarter, Burlington Central junior quarterback Reece Beemer rolled right, escaped pressure and fired a dart toward the front corner of the end zone.
Junior Jordan Coombs adjusted his route, elevated between two Bears defenders, and snared the 6-yard touchdown pass.
Burlington Central led 19-13 ahead of Wagner Viebrock’s extra point.
"Probably his best catch all season," Rockets coach Brian Iossi said.
Coombs had another description.
"The play was to run toward the middle of the end zone," he said. "As Reece rolled, so did I."
The catch was Coombs' fifth touchdown reception this season.
Auxier supplied the exclamation point, scoring from 13 yards out with 2:56 remaining. His third touchdown capped a 24-carry performance featuring sharp cuts, spins, and an uncanny ability to squeeze through small openings.
"He's the best high school football player in the state that nobody has ever heard of," Iossi insisted. "Parker is a stud."
Lake Zurich, meanwhile, had a story of its own.
His name?
Nate Kahle.
His debut began in a hole.
Burlington Central senior Daniel Gonzalez recovered a fumble on the opening kickoff at the Bears' 9-yard line. Four plays later, Auxier scored from a yard out.
Kahle's response?
Consecutive 23-yard completions to senior tight end Luke Papesch on Lake Zurich's first possession, the second producing a touchdown and a 7-7 tie.
Not bad for a third-stringer.
Kahle finished 12 of 20 passing for 91 yards and two touchdowns, the second a 1-yard toss to senior Tanner Dye in the second quarter.
"He played well," first-year Bears coach Dragan Teonic said.
Auxier's 1- and 2-yard touchdown runs helped Burlington Central forge a 13-13 halftime tie.
Even the statistics at the break were nearly identical: Lake Zurich held a 130-129 edge in total yards.
Burlington Central's defense eventually took command, limiting the Bears' ground attack and getting a late-third-quarter interception from senior Bennek Braden on a halfback-option pass.
Lake Zurich, which rebounded from an 0-2 start to win six of its final seven regular-season games, had weathered injuries throughout the fall.
"I'm really proud of the kids and how we handled our rash of injuries," Teonic said.
The Rockets advance to face top-seeded Harlem (10-0), a 21-14 winner over St. Charles East, next weekend.
Throughout Friday's contest, Iossi repeatedly barked three words from the sideline.
"Do your job!"
It's a reminder he's delivered for years.
"It's a trust thing," Iossi said. "Trust each other.”
Friday night, the Rockets majored in trust.
And their season kept soaring.