West Aurora beats Huntley, wins 10 games for the first time in 77 years

West Aurora is 10-0 for the first time in 77 years, but that special tenth win didn’t come easily.

Huntley quarterback Braylon Bowers spearheaded a valiant second-half comeback by the Red Raiders, but it ended when Blackhawks' senior Terrence Smith leaped and grabbed an interception in the end zone with 1:13 left to play to seal a 31-21 win for West Aurora in the first round of the Class 8A playoffs on Friday in Aurora.

“I saw it up in the air and I knew it was mine,” Smith said.

The Iowa recruit is a star wide receiver and a basketball standout. He has rarely played on defense this season.

“I learned a long time ago, watching a lot of the elite DuPage Valley teams that when you get to the playoffs it is kind of no holds barred, who plays where,” Blackhawks coach Nate Eimer said. “He needs to be playing on the field as much as possible. The kid can do it all. He’s one of the best players in the state.”

Junior quarterback Mason Atkins marshaled what may be the fastest-paced offense in the area. He was 10 for 15 for 98 yards with two touchdowns.

“Getting this tenth win for us and the community is the greatest feeling I’ve ever had playing a football game,” Atkins said. “It was special.”

West Aurora has been playing football since 1895. The last season the Blackhawks won ten games was in 1947.

“It’s truly amazing,” Eimer said. “I’m an alum. I’ve been here for 14 years. We’ve had good and bad. I love this community and I love these kids. It’s really special.”

West Aurora led 14-7 at halftime and took a 21-7 lead on Azuriah Sylvester’s one-yard run in the third quarter.

Bowers connected with Connor Wade on a two-yard TD pass to pull the Red Raiders (5-5) within 21-14 with 1:53 left in the third quarter. Then Bowers orchestrated an excellent drive and scored on a one-yard TD run with 6:53 left in the game to make it 24-21.

West Aurora responded with another scoring drive, capped off by a 29-yard TD run from Sylvester. Huntley’s final chance ended with the interception by Smith.

Bowers was 21 for 33 for 216 yards. He had 18 carries for 99 yards and 2 TDs.

“That’s what playoffs are,” Eimer said. “Nobody gives up and everybody keeps fighting. Hats off to them That was a good high school football game.”

Huntley generally kept two defenders on Smith, which opened things up for the rest of West Aurora’s offense.

Smith had five catches for 47 yards and a TD. Reece Powers caught four passes for 43 yards. Michael Williams finished with 20 carries for 135 yards and Sylvester had nine for 58 yards.

This is Atkins’ second year as the starting quarterback. But it is rare for a junior to run a no-huddle offense so effectively.

“You have to go out there and have confidence in yourself and be a leader,” Atkins said. “Everyone is looking to you for the plays, looking at your body language. You have to go out and be that guy for your team. I learned that last year, how to control the game.”

West Aurora will face the winner of Saturday’s Maine South vs. Naperville North game in the second round next weekend.