by Brent Hovey
Reporter
Wickliffe -- As if there was any doubt, Aurora proved it is the king of the Chagrin Valley Conference Chagrin Division for the fourth straight year with a 47-19 win over Wickliffe in the Oct. 24 regular season finale.
After getting off to a 1-2 start, the Greenmen capped a perfect run through the division at 7-0 and clinched the outright league title, their fourth in four years.
The rout also sends Aurora to the Division III state playoffs -- its fourth straight appearance -- hosting Notre Dame Cathedral Latin on Nov. 1.
"I'm proud of that," AHS head coach Bob Mihalik said when ask what four straight CVC titles meant. "That's quite an accomplishment and I'm proud of these kids. I'm really happy for our whole high school program."
For the 20 seniors, winning the CVC is nothing new. During their high school career, the class of 2009 was 27-1 in the CVC, with the lone loss coming last year at Perry on a last-second touchdown.
Mihalik had nothing but praise for his seniors.
"What can you say about them?" he said. "They were undefeated as freshmen and many have been a part of our three other CVC titles and playoff appearances. All they know is CVC and playoffs."
One of those seniors is Chris Jenkins. While the fullback-linebacker had a quiet game Oct. 24, he's had a solid season.
"It feels so good," Jenkins said after the game while celebrating with his teammates. "It's what we've been waiting for all year. I'm just so happy right now."
BACK TO THE game at hand, Aurora was led by -- who else? -- the seniors.
Running back Steven Yung had a monster game, racking up 317 total yards, including 83 return yards on one return, 77 yards receiving and a touchdown on one catch, and 157 rushing yards on 21 carries for 3 scores.
Yung has been Aurora's feature back since halfway through his sophomore season, but his 157 yards pushed him past the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in his career.
Senior quarterback Brendan Gallagher was about as efficient as a quarterback can be. He finished 5 for 5 passing for 162 yards and 3 TDs.
Senior wide receiver Dee Brizzolara caught two balls, both for touchdowns, and 71 total yards.
It wasn't all picture perfect, though, as the Greenmen saw Wickliffe run the ball effectively at times. The Blue Devils outrushed Aurora 248 to 232 yards. However, Wickliffe had zero passing yards.
"I think we are playing about as well as we can offensively," said Mihalik. "Defensively, we've got to keep working and trying to get better.
"But now the fun starts. That's why you work hard all winter and all summer. Now, we're one of 32 teams with a chance to win a state title."
Junior Steven Snyder also scored for Aurora on a 4-yard run.
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