Aurora Christian, Aurora Central prepare to renew rivalry

Updated: October 17, 2011 8:28PM

Before the season began, Aurora Christian coach Don Beebe excitedly ran through the Eagles schedule — beginning of course with Stillman Valley in Week 1. But he saved his most impassioned thoughts for this week’s game against Aurora Central Catholic. He was excited about coaching against ACC for the first time and beginning a true rivalry between schools separated by only a mile and one turn off Edgelawn Drive or Sullivan Road.

The two schools have not met on a football field since a home-and-home in 1999 and 2000 when the Chargers swept the series with victories of 43-0 and 55-0.

At that point in time, the teams weren’t very good, combining for an 11-25 record those two seasons.

If there ever was a year to begin the rivalry anew, it would be this one.

The Eagles host the Chargers as the Suburban Christian Conference Gold champions, having gone 4-0 so far in the division and 7-1 overall.

The Chargers are on the uptick, sitting at 4-4 overall (1-3 in the Gold) with a chance to earn a winning a record and playoff berth for the first time since 1997. This is also the first time since 2001 that the Chargers have recorded four wins.

“We are in the playoff hunt right now. We are 4-4 and we are alive,” Chargers coach Brian Casey said. “That’s a great first step, that’s a great next step for this program. I told our guys this should be the easiest week of coaching and preparing that we will have to do. They are playing their rival. They have buddies that play down there, and sometimes they feel at times they have been disrespected by people saying they are so much better than we are and they have a chance to prove it. We look forward to that opportunity.”

Cadets on upswing — again

Marmion Academy’s season can best be described as up and down.

The ups include winning three consecutive games as well as making the playoffs for the third consecutive season.

The Cadets qualified for the playoffs after their 21-7 Suburban Christian Conference crossover win against Guerin Prep, a team who is just one win away from getting to the postseason for the first time ever.

Marmion has 45 playoff points and is solidly in the 6A playoff picture, even if it loses to 8-0 Marian Central Catholic this week.

“I’m never going to be ashamed of a victory,” Marmion coach Dan Thorpe said after beating the Gators. “We are winning ugly — that’s probably going to be the theme of our season.”

The downs of the season include not getting into a rhythm and of course, injuries to Ryan Glasgow (shoulder), Matt Lally (ankle) and Garret Becker (hamstring, but still playing).

“Everyone’s beat up late in the year, so our No. 2s are going to have to step up,” Thorpe said.

Added junior Jake Ruddy: “Every week it seems like one of our starters gets hurt, but we’re still pushing along. We’ve been dealing with what we have, but it’s been tough.”

The Cadets cap the regular season against Marian (4-0 in the SCC Blue). Marmion is 2-2 in conference play.

“Our best 3-4 games are still out there,” Thorpe said. “I just hope we can get the chance to show that.”

Blackhawks rebound

At first glance, it seemed as if the 2011 schedule set up well for West Aurora in its quest to become playoff eligible and post a winning record for the first time since 2004. For the first time in a decade, the Blackhawks didn’t have to end their season with perennial DuPage Valley Conference powers Glenbard North and Wheaton Warrenville South — but instead had to play those schools, along with Wheaton North, Naperville North and Naperville Central over a five-game period.

The result was five straight losses. The team snapped the streak Friday with a win over West Chicago.

“We needed to come out and play well,” first year Blackhawks coach Nate Eimer said. “It was a good win, a chance for us to show that we’re still here and we’re going to finish this thing (the rest of the season) out right. I definitely think it was a sign of our character, the way we bounced back (after falling out of playoff contention the week before). It was very tough on us last week, but it says a lot about the core group of seniors that we have and how much time they’ve put in.”

Urwiler honored

This season could be a special one for Mooseheart, which enters this week with a chance to go 9-0 for the first time since 1996 and win the Northeastern Athletic Conference with a victory over North Shore Country Day. But it’s already been memorable for head coach Gary Urwiler who was selected as the Chicago Bears High School Coach of the Week on Oct. 14. The award “rewards coaches for their efforts and accomplishments off the football field as well as their on-field exploits” and saw the Bears donate $1,500 to the Red Ramblers program.

Urwiler was also invited to attend the Dec. 18 Bears game against Seattle and will be recognized at halftime of that game. He will also be able to attend a Bears practice and meet with Lovie Smith.

Playoff update

Heading into this week’s action, Mooseheart (8-0), Batavia (8-0), Kaneland (8-0), Aurora Christian (7-1), Waubonsie Valley (7-1), Oswego (6-2), Geneva (6-2), Sandwich (6-2), Plano (6-2) and Marmion (5-3) are all qualified or eligible, and the Cadets will get in even with a loss in Week 9.

Yorkville and Aurora Central are 4-4 and are in must-win situations. Yorkville will make the playoffs with a win over Sycamore, as it will have enough playoff points, but the Chargers would have to hold their breath during the IHSA’s selection show on Saturday night.

Of The Beacon-News’ coverage area teams, only East Aurora, West Aurora, Oswego East and Metea Valley have been eliminated.

Christine Bolin contributed to this report.

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