Aurora Christian sophomore Luke Baumann had a big night on Friday, helping the host Eagles beat Winnebago 42-14 in a Class 2A first-round playoff game. The win moved Aurora Christian to 9-1 and ended Winnebago's season at 6-5.
Baumann, a 5-foot-10, 160-pound running back and safety, caught six passes for 150 yards and a touchdown. He also ran five times for 60 yards and another score, giving him 210 yards and two touchdowns. Junior running back Jalen Callaway added 193 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries.
Sophomore quarterback Jesus "Juju" Vasquez completed 7 of 11 passes for 225 yards and a touchdown. His scoring throw covered 65 yards on a go route to junior receiver Carson Moreno, who later intercepted a pass. Callaway also had an interception.
Two of Baumann's biggest gains came on screen passes of 27 and 29 yards. A third, which went 62 yards for a touchdown, was called back because of a penalty that wiped out 41 of those yards. Two plays later, Baumann tight-roped the back line of the end zone to haul in another long pass from Vasquez. Of the screen play, he said: "When I turn my head, I see four of my guys running full speed ahead. I've just gotta be patient and wait for them to blow somebody up."
Baumann said his role grew as the season went on. "The first couple of games, I wasn't a big part of the offense, really," he said. As opponents focused on stopping Callaway, the Eagles used that attention to get the ball to Baumann going the other way. Both backs take direct snaps out of the Wildcat formation and have contributed in the passing game. Baumann credited Callaway and the offensive line for much of his success.
Coach David Beebe praised the pair. "Those two in the backfield, they're fun to watch," he said. "They don't care who gets the ball. They just play. We like the direct snaps because both of them are a threat."
Baumann has also starred on defense, leading the team with six interceptions. Beebe pointed to his mental toughness. "Luke has had an incredible year on both sides of the ball but it's his mindset," the coach said. "He's just so strong in his mind. You see it on the basketball court as well."
That outlook is notable given where Baumann stood not long ago. After an impressive varsity debut as a freshman point guard, and a year as a varsity long snapper, he said he sometimes thought about quitting football. He plays AAU basketball and travels the country for it. This season, though, he has grown to like football and has told his coaches he wants to keep his options open, including playing in college "if God takes me that way." He called basketball and football "pretty even" for him right now. In his first basketball postseason game, he led Aurora Christian with 12 points and 13 rebounds in a regional win.
Aurora Christian will host Maroa-Forsyth (9-1) in the second round next weekend. Maroa-Forsyth beat Oregon (4-7) 49-18 on Friday. Beebe noted that Baumann is a sophomore in his first football playoff game, "and he's just not afraid."
