Jacobs’ Aiden Brunner scores 2 second-half TDs to erase 17-point deficit, top Burlington Central
Junior running back Aiden Brunner didn’t flinch, realizing that he had to wait his turn for Jacobs.
In a program known for running the ball under coach Brian Zimmerman, it’s hard to show up and just break into the starting lineup. Especially in a lead role for the Golden Eagles’ ground game.
“I knew coming in I wasn’t going to play right away,” Brunner said. “I knew I was going to have to wait and develop. I talked with ‘Zim’ about it. Now, it’s my chance.”
In one of the wildest comebacks in the area, Brunner made the most of that chance Friday night.
He scored a pair of touchdowns in the second half — including the game-winner with 1.8 seconds left — as Jacobs erased a 17-point deficit in earning a 31-27 Fox Valley Conference win at Burlington Central.
Brunner finished with 38 yards on 11 carries for Jacobs (4-0, 4-0), including TDs of 1 and 8 yards. Austin Stennett led the comeback by completing 19 of 31 passes for 263 yards with a 74-yard TD to Owen Crouch, who ended with five catches for 111 yards. Chris Williams added seven catches for 59 yards and scored an 8-yard TD on a reverse. Jordan Hudson had five catches for 75 yards.
Reece Beemer completed 14 of 30 passes for 112 yards and a TD to pace Burlington Central (2-2, 2-2). His 10-yard TD run with 1:06 left in the fourth quarter gave the Rockets a 27-24 lead. Parker Auxier ran for 126 yards and two TDs on 24 carries.
Jacobs, meanwhile, hasn’t run the ball as successfully so far this season as in the past, with Stennett’s growth at quarterback filling the void. Zimmerman was happy to see Brunner get going in the second half.
“He’s a guy that’s been waiting in the wings,” Zimmerman said. “We told him it was his turn to take the reins. We have a rich tradition of running the ball.
“We haven’t been satisfied with what we’re doing running the ball, but Austin has made some really big plays.”
After Burlington Central took the 27-24 lead with 1:06 left on a 13-play, 68-yard drive, Jacobs put the rally caps back on again as Stennett brought the Golden Eagles to the doorstep.
Brunner then kicked that door in for the winning TD.
“That play call, we knew we had the power on them, so we were just going to run it down their throat,” Brunner said. “The line washed their way down and I saw the gap. It was great.
“All that work I did to develop the past couple years has been wonderful for me. Having the chance to show all the work is just great.”
The Rockets led 20-3 after Beemer’s 7-yard TD pass to Chace Chesney with 4:06 left in the third quarter. Stennett’s 74-yard TD pass to Crouch came three plays later and the comeback was on.
After a fourth stop of the night on fourth down, Jacobs marched 71 yards in five plays, capped by Brunner’s 8-yard TD run. That to cut the deficit to 20-17. After a three-and-out, Williams delivered his 8-yard TD, and suddenly, Jacobs led 24-20 with 5:22 left.
Although the Rockets took the lead back, Burlington Central coach Brian Iossi lamented the trips to the red zone that ended with turnovers on downs.
“Quite honestly, we lost that game in the second quarter when we didn’t score three times inside the 20-yard line,” Iossi said. “You have to finish those, but I’m proud of them.
“I think that’s probably up for one of the best games of the year in the state.”
Jacobs’ coaches had a message before the game.
“This is a game you’re going to remember for the rest of your lives,” Brunner said.
As it turns out, that premonition came true.
“I’ve never been a part of something like that,” Brunner said.