By Chris Parker
Aurora football posted a 6-4 record in 2020, which was the first winning record since 2015.
“I will never discount the senior leadership that our five seniors provided last season. It was significant to the results we experienced last season,” Aurora head football coach Craig Weldy said. “However we went from a sophomore and freshman laden team to a more mature junior and sophomore group on the field from the year before. The extra year preparing themselves in the weight room and developing more confidence in our offense and defensive schemes were significant factors.”
That group of sophomores and juniors are now juniors and seniors ready to add more wins this year.
Two-way star Kohl Rohlman returns to lead the Houn’ Dawgs. Rohlman carried the ball 116 times for 940 yards and 11 touchdowns last year. He was also an ace in the return game and on defense. He earned first-team all-conference honors at running back, defensive back and second-team all-conference honors as a return specialist.
“Kohl has always enjoyed being one of the fastest athletes on the field. But last year I think the biggest difference for Kohl was better blocking by his teammates and Kohl’s ability to see the running lanes created. I believe Kohl understood the offense better, understood the blocking schemes and saw the defensive flow better to take advantage of the defense and his ability to cut back against that flow. Kohl is also a “yac” (yards after contact) running back. He’s willing to fight for yards after contact,” Weldy said. “I hope Kohl will have a year that will help our team to a better year than last year and compete for a conference and district title.”
Rohlman will also play cornerback. He had 68 tackles and three interceptions last year.
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Aaron Fisher returns at quarterback after he threw for 472 yards and five touchdowns while running for 610 yards on 122 carries.
“Aaron did not play football his sophomore year and to come back as our starting quarterback in his junior season provided him with a steep learning curve. He did a very good job running our option game and he has a year of experience under his belt. Aaron could have a breakout year. He has a good line in front of him and a solid backfield behind him. He needs to get comfortable with the passing game for him to be the complete quarterback that I believe he is,” Weldy said. “We run the triple option, how the defense reacts to our play action determines who ends up carrying the ball. Aaron’s job is to read the defense and to distribute or keep the ball by how the defense reacts. We spread the ball around to all of our running backs pretty evenly. We hope to control the ball and clock better this year which most likely means more carries for all our backs.”
Fisher will also play on defense at free safety.
Ian Jackson will return at full back. He had 71 carries for 394 yards last year. Kyle Anderson will also see carries moving off the offensive line to the backfield. Anderson earned first-team all-conference honors at guard and on defense at defensive end.
“Kyle is one of the strongest players and second fastest on our team. Kyle gives us size and speed to round out a backfield of promising athletes,” Weldy said. “The last four years, due to the lack in numbers, our young men have been forced to play iron man football. We’ve prided ourselves in being in the best physical and mental condition for the game of football that we can be in. Kyle Anderson epitomizes this. He plays the game with great energy and tenacity. He refuses to get outworked in the weight room, on the practice and game field every day.”
He will also move off the line on defense back to linebacker. The senior had 88 total tackles and 16 tackles for a loss last season. Anderson also led the team in sacks with four.
The offensive line will be comprised of Felix Barrientos-Perez, Jackson Cline, Ethan Husmann, Michael Barrientos-Perez, Alex Dewitt, Ethan Whitlock and Jose Ibarra. Cline and Felix Barrientos-Perez both earned all-conference honors last year.
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”For the first time in five years we will be returning seven linemen who either started last season or got a lot of playing experience for us,” Weldy said. “Starting the season with an experienced offensive line and backfield are great assets. Our young men have faced a lot of adversity these last four years and they are hungry for success.”
Defensively, Jackson returns at linebacker where he led the team with 102 total tackles last season including 14 tackles for a loss.
“When Ian is on the field the rest of the team plays with more confidence. He’s our defensive quarterback. He makes sure we are aligned correctly against the offensive formations we are facing,” Weldy said. “Ian prepares each week for each opponent by learning as much about their offense as he can. His vision has gotten better every year and he is able to see the play develop, recognize where the ball is going and has the strength and speed to defeat would-be blockers to get to the ball.”
Cameron Savage, Justus Nickell, Ethan Whitlock, Felix Barrientos-Perez and Anderson will join Jackson at linebacker.
Cline, Husmann, Michael Barrientos-Perez, Dewitt, Ibarra and Whitlock will all play on the defensive line.
Rohlman and Fisher will be joined in the secondary by Gavin Youngblood, Brendon Hall and Jax Prader.
“(We want) to be better in all aspects of the game than we were last year. Offensively, (we want) to run and pass the ball more efficiently and effectively, so that each possession end in points for us, and to control the clock and time of possession,” Weldy said. “Defensively, (we want) to control our opponent’s ground and passing game and to eliminate the big play. We must get better in special teams to be successful, so we must improve our kicking game and return game, along with being more successful in scoring extra points. If we can do these things the wins will be there.”
Aurora opens the season on Aug. 27 at McDonald County.
