Week 1 : Stillman Valley 20 – Aurora Christian 38 (Trip Report)
It had been 287 days since Stillman Valley handed Aurora Christian one of their worst losses of the season in a 46-16 defeat in last season’s 3A state quarterfinal football game. But from talking to several of the Aurora Christian assistant coaches, it seemed like that the game was just played yesterday. It was still fresh in their minds.
Yesterday, I made the short trip over to the Aurora Christian Campus to watch what I figured would be a playoff caliber game between two highly ranked teams. I wasn’t disappointed. The fans were already in playoff mode and there was just an electric buzz in the air.
Aurora Christian
Stillman Valley
Aurora Christian going through warmups
Game Recap
Mid-way through the first quarter, Aurora Christian struck first with #9 Anthony Maddie running in for a touchdown. Aurora Christian runs a spread offense and has some great athletes at the skilled positions.
Aurora Christian’s Anthony Maddie tries to avoid some would be tacklers
At the end of the 1st Quarter it was 7-0 Aurora Christian.
Stillman Valley plays a very simple type of football – “Smash-Mouth Football”. The Cardinals are a very run oriented team with a couple horses in the backfield – #31 AJ Dobson – 6’4 230lb, #35 Jake Wold 5’10 200 lb, #33 Eric Boettcher 5’10 185lbs.
Stillman Valley’s Eric Boettcher runs for a large gain
Stillman Valley tied the score 7-7 with a nice run by AJ Dobson. With it’s quick attack offense, Aurora Christian scored just 3 minutes later when Maddie hooked up with #3 Grayson Roberts to take 14-7 lead.
Aurora Christian’s Anthony Maddie – (Maddie finished 20-26 with 274 yards passing 2 TD and 3 rushing TDs)
Aurora Christian’s Brandon Mayes is a threat to score anytime he touches the ball
Aurora Christian’s Noah Roberts looks to catch one of Maddies bombs.
Stillman Valley went back to run and worked its way down the field and scored again to tie the game 14 – 14.
Stillman Valley’s QB – Jeff Cialkowski hands the ball off to Dobson for another score
When the 3rd quarter started, you could just feel that Aurora Christian was on a mission and that Anthony Maddie was at the controls. Maddie started off the 3rd quarter with another touchdown run to get Aurora Christian back in the lead at 21-20.
Anthony Maddie – takes over in the 2nd half with 3 touchdowns.
This is where the Aurora Christian defense stepped up. They forced Stillman Valley into several 3rd and long. Faced with these long downs, Stillman Valley decided to go to the air and Aurora Christian made them pay.
Stillman Valley’s QB – Jeff Cialkowski takes to passing game
The turning point of the game was when defensive back Brandon Mayes intercepted a pass from Quarterback Jeff Cialkowski, returning it 42 yards and setting up another score by Aurora Christian.
During the mid-point for the 4th quarter, Kicker Alec Eickert connected on a 45 yard field goal which pushed Aurora’s lead to 31-20.
Stillman Valley’s Jake Wold (12 carries, 60 yards)
Stillman Valley tried to get back into the game by going to it’s passing game, but the AC defense stood their ground.
Anthony Maddie looks to score again
In the final minutes of the game, Maddie broke loose again for his 3rd rushing touchdown of the game.
Coach Don Beebe likes what he sees in Week 1
Final Score: 38-20
Overall, this is what High School Football is all about. Two great teams matching up during the first week of the season. If both of these teams stay in the same class, I fully expect them to meet again in the playoffs.
The Aurora Christian coaches wanted this to be a “Statement Game” and I think they made their statement.
The Stillman Valley fans traveled extremely well. Their stands were packed before halftime of the sophomore game which Stillman Valley won easily 28-7.