The Aurora Central Catholic Varsity Football team opened their season with a 35-20 win over Rockford Lutheran, Friday night at Bob Stewart Field in front of the largest (non-homecoming) crowd in three years. All three phases of the game played a major impact in the outcome, as all three made tallies on the scoreboard.

The Chargers found themselves in a 7-0 hole as the first quarter came to an end, as Rockford Lutheran quarterback Jake Milbourn connected with DJ Johnson on a 62 yard touchdown on the Crusaders second offensive possession. Following a turnover on downs deep in Lutheran territory, the Charger defense provided the first momentum swing. Juniors Jake McCarthy (Aurora), and Izzy Rosa (Montgomery) teamed up for back to back sacks, the second resulted in a safety, pulling the Chargers within five.

After junior Steve Belovich (Hinckley) the ensuing free kick to the Crusader 34-yard line, the Charger offense needed only one play to take their first lead of the 2011 season. Senior quarterback Kyle Clechenko (St. Charles), playing in his first game as the Charger signal caller, scampered 34 yards for a touchdown putting the Chargers up 9-7. Clechenko finished the night with 178 yards on 21 carries.

“The offensive line did a great job opening up some huge holes all night,” Clechenko said. “All myself and the other backs had to do was run through them, they deserve just as much of the credit.”

Following an exchange of punts, the Crusaders re-took the lead when Milbourn found Kyle Vagsness in the back corner of the end zone making the score 14-9. The Chargers answered back just before halftime. Clechenko connected with junior Luke Dickerson (Sugar Grove) on a 31 yard pass, giving ACC a first and goal from the 10-yard line. Three plays later, junior Steven Amoni (Yorkville) capped of the drive with a 3 yard plunge giving the Chargers a 16-14 lead at intermission.

“That touchdown right before halftime was huge,” Casey said. “You could sense the teams attitude and confidence go up when we put it in the end zone. I think it calmed everyone down at halftime as well, so we could make adjustments, without a panic-stricken attitude.”

After the Chargers defense forced a three and out to start the second half, it was the special teams turn to make an impact. Sophomore Brian Bohr (Aurora) raced through the middle of the Crusader punt team and blocked Adam Pearson’s punt, junior Pat Marcoux (Oswego) recovered the ball in the end zone, extending the lead to 22-14.

“I think that is the most exciting play in football,” Casey said. “Nothing turns the momentum of a football game like a big play from the punt return/block unit. We have worked so hard this summer getting that unit to where they are now, we have a ton of speed out there, just a huge play that really swung the game into our favor for the rest of the night.”

Bohr’s block marks the second consecutive game the Chargers have blocked a punt. Luke Dickerson blocked a punt in the 2010 season finale against Guerin Prep.

Halfway through the third quarter, following a successful fake punt, the Crusaders crept a little closer as Milbourn connected on his third touchdown pass of the evening, this time catching the Chargers in a blown coverage finding Tey Montgomery from 18 yards out. However, senior Kyle Ritli (Aurora) deflected the two-point conversion, preserving the Chargers 22-20 lead.

Once again the Charger offense answer right back, going on a 6 play drive lasting only 1 minute and 41 seconds. On 3rd and 4 from the Chargers own 34-yard line, Clechenko raced 61 yards to the Crusader 5-yard line. Two plays later Amoni again found pay dirt from 3-yards out putting the Chargers ahead 28-20.

The scoring was capped halfway through the fourth quarter as Dickerson, who finished the night with 183 all-purpose yards (53 rushing, 31 receiving, 99 return) scored from two yards out on a play the Crusaders appeared to have him stopped at the 1-yard line, Dickerson extended the ball over the pylon for the score. Kevin Bond (Plano) (3-5 PAT’s) added the extra point, giving the Chargers the 35-20 final advantage.

The defense kept Milbourn on the run all evening, with a variety of pressure from both the defensive line as well as the second and third levels. The Chargers tallied a school record, notching 8 sacks on the evening. Pat Marcoux, had  three sacks, also giving him an individual school record. In all, Rockford Lutheran finished with 251 yards of total offense, with the Chargers forcing one turnover.

“I thought we played well,” ACC Defensive Coordinator Eric Fulara said. “Our pressure in the backfield was great all night, but we still have some things we need to improve on. Our defense is capable of playing much better, which is the exciting part.”

Senior Nick Holzer (Yorkville) finished the evening with 16 tackles and a fumble recovery.

Offensively, the Chargers finished the evening with 353 yards of total offense, while featuring the new-look, “no-huddle, hurry-up” offense.

I really liked our tempo on offense, our guys got to the line quickly, and we were able to snap the ball quick,” Casey said. “We did have some communication mistakes, but that is natural for the first game. What I really liked was how we answered every score they had tonight. Each time they scored, we moved the ball back down the field, and did not allow them to build any momentum. We showed some great character there.”

The win helped the Chargers to their first 1-0 start since 2005, when the Chargers beat Mendota 22-20 on a last minute field goal by Tim Kramer.

Next week the Chargers complete their non-conference schedule as they host Marengo on Saturday. Sophomores kick off at 2:00 p.m., with the varsity game immediately following at 4:00 p.m. If you can not make it, you can listen to the game on WSPY 107.1 on your FM dial.