Baumann accounts for 210 yards and 2 TDs as Aurora Christian rolls in 1st round

The revelation from sophomore running back/safety Luke Baumann, given his development in football this season for Aurora Christian, now seems unthinkable.

The 5-foot-10, 160-pound Baumann has become a force on offense and defense. But following an impressive varsity debut as a freshman point guard, his mind would occasionally drift.

“I was thinking about quitting football,” he said.

He wasn’t disenchanted with the sport, where he was a long snapper on varsity as a freshman.

It was simply overshadowed.

“I play AAU basketball and get to travel around the country,” Baumann said. “This year, though, I’ve really grown to like football and let my coaches know I want to keep my options open for it, that I’m open to going to college for football, too, if God takes me that way.

“So yeah, I’d honestly say basketball and football are pretty even for me right now.”

It’s easy to see why, considering Baumann’s performance Friday night. He teamed up with junior running back Jalen Callaway to lead the host Eagles to a 42-14 win over Winnebago in a Class 2A first-round playoff game.

Baumann caught six passes from sophomore quarterback Jesus “Juju” Vasquez for 150 yards and a touchdown and ran five times for 60 yards and another TD. Callaway finished with 193 yards and three TDs on 21 carries.

As a result, Aurora Christian (9-1) ousted Winnebago (6-5) and will host Maroa-Forsyth (9-1) — a 49-18 winner Friday over Oregon (4-7) — in next weekend’s second round.

For Baumann, meanwhile, it was a pretty big night.

“The first couple of games, I wasn’t a big part of the offense, really,” he said. “I was doing more on the defensive side, getting picks every once in a while.

“As the weeks went on, teams would focus on trying to stop Jalen, so we were able to fake it to him and give it to me going the opposite way or make it look like we were giving it to Jalen and give it to me.”

Baumann credited Callaway as well as the offensive line for much of his success Friday. Both running backs take direct snaps out of the Wildcat and have been factors in the passing game.

Vasquez completed 7 of 11 passes for 225 yards and a TD. It covered 65 yards on a go route, with a well-thrown long ball to junior receiver Carson Moreno, who later added an interception.

“Those two in the backfield, they’re fun to watch,” Aurora Christian coach David Beebe said of Baumann and Callaway, who also had an interception. “They don’t care who gets the ball.

“They just play. We like the direct snaps because both of them are a threat.”

Two of Baumann’s big gains came on screen passes of 27 and 29 yards but a third that covered 62 yards for a TD was called back due to a penalty that erased 41 of those yards.

“It’s an awesome play,” Baumann said. “When I turn my head, I see four of my guys running full speed ahead. I’ve just gotta be patient and wait for them to blow somebody up.”

Two plays after the TD was called back, Baumann tight-roped the back line of the end zone hauling in another well-thrown long ball by Vasquez.

Baumann has been equally impressive on defense with a team-high six interceptions.

“Luke has had an incredible year on both sides of the ball but it’s his mindset,” Beebe said. “He’s just so strong in his mind. You see it on the basketball court as well.”

In his first basketball postseason game, Baumann led Aurora Christian with 12 points and 13 rebounds in a regional win.

“Now, he’s a sophomore in his first playoff (football) game,” Beebe said. “And he’s just not afraid.”