Chicago-Area High School Football News and Scores | Season Pass

Field position was key Friday in West Aurora’s 41-28 loss to No. 6 Wheaton North and special teams miscues proved costly.

Throughout, the Blackhawks set the Falcons up with excellent field position, which helped the hosts score 41 straight points to erase an early 7-0 deficit. In that span, Wheaton North’s average starting point was the West Aurora 49-yard-line, not including a fumble recovered in the Blackhawk end zone on a botched punt snap.

The Falcons also recovered a fumble inside the West 10 and blocked a punt that set them up at the Blackhawks 1.

Meanwhile, Wheaton North kicker Lake Bachar was keeping the visitors pinned down and facing a long field on their possessions. While the Falcons were racking up points, Bachar pounded seven kicks into the end zone for touchbacks.

Before recovering two late onside kicks, West’s average starting point was its own 21-yard line.

“You just cannot get into third-and-longs against teams like this,” West Aurora coach Nate Eimer said. “You cannot have special teams mistakes, and we did both of those things. That’s really why we lost the football game. That’s one area where last week we got better. This week, we took a step back with our special teams.”

Becker at blood drive

East Aurora football coach and former ’85 Super Bowl Chicago Bear Kurt Becker will be appearing Monday from noon to 1 p.m. at the Aurora Heartland Blood Center facility at 1200 N. Highland Ave.

Heartland is holding a blood drive from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. that day, but donors from noon to 1 p.m. will be able to take a picture and get an autograph from Becker. Donors will also receive an October Breast Cancer Awareness Month T-shirt, be eligible to win a Tailgate Package and can enjoy a pulled pork sandwich compliments of Ballydoyle Irish Pub and Restaurant.

To schedule an appointment call 1-800-786-4483 or go online to www.heartlandbc.org .

Surgery for Burdo

Noting it’s “a big loss for our team,” Oswego coach Brian Cooney reports that senior defensive end Chad Burdo will undergo knee surgery this Friday to repair torn anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments.

Burdo was hurt early in the Week 5 game at Oswego East.

Homecoming fireworks

A choreographed fireworks show will be part of the Oct. 12 homecoming game festivities when West Aurora hosts West Chicago.

A school-issued press release said the fireworks “will be launched from approximately 7:30-8:30 p.m. from practice fields east of the stadium. The fireworks will be launched throughout the game concluding at the end of halftime.”

An alumni tent, operated by the A+ Foundation for West Aurora Schools, will be open to all West graduates beginning at the start of the sophomore game. Visitors can enjoy popcorn and lemonade, check out memorabilia and participate in raffles for West High gear.

Checking the charts

Two area teams — undefeated Waubonsie Valley (6-0) and Batavia (6-0) — continue to be ranked in Mike Clark’s Sun-Times Super 25 of the Chicago area.

The Warriors are No. 14 and have a showdown Friday at North Central College with undefeated and No. 10 Neuqua Valley in an Upstate Eight Valley showdown.

The Bulldogs are ranked 15th and play host to St. Charles North on Friday.