Football: Aurora Christian’s Anthony Maddie ready to make amends

Updated: November 23, 2011 6:08PM

The last time Anthony Maddie played in a state championship game, he failed to complete a pass.

The Aurora Christian quarterback guarantees that won’t happen when the Eagles (12-1) try to become the first Aurora school to win a state football title when they take on Downstate Mt. Carmel (12-1) at 4 p.m. Friday at Memorial Stadium in Champaign.

Maddie was 0-for-8 as Joliet Catholic ran the ball 55 times in a 29-28 loss to Montini in the Class 5A title game two years ago. He transferred to Aurora Christian last year to learn the spread offense under Eagles coach Don Beebe.

“When he first came over he didn’t know what a cover-2 was, so it was like starting from square one,” Beebe said. “His mental approach is something else. He watches a lot of film every day. Not everyone has that level of passion.”

Maddie, a Western Michigan recruit, said he started becoming comfortable running the spread late last season but didn’t begin to thrive until this year. He has completed 213 of 355 passes for 3,706 yards and 50 touchdowns — both school records — against 14 interceptions. He has also rushed 99 times for 925 yards and 14 scores.

“It’s pretty cool to be able to say I went Downstate with two different teams, but I’m just trying to forget that and focus on winning this game,” Maddie said. “It’s definitely a lot different this year, especially because it’s my senior year. It’s my last chance.

“It means a lot, especially with me contributing a lot more.”

Beebe marvels at the 6-2, 200-pound Maddie’s athleticism, which includes a 38-inch vertical leap and the ability to dunk a basketball. But it is Maddie’s mental quickness and study habits that impress him the most.

“He is so mentally tough,” Beebe said. “He has the ability of making a lot of good audibles. I’ve never seen anyone like that.”

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