The only ceiling close to containing Kewon Marshall in an outdoor setting just might be the clouds.
The 6-foot-3 Marshall makes up half of West Aurora’s high-flying senior receiver duo with the 6-4 Terrence Smith, an Iowa recruit. But on a big Friday night, Marshall flashed his star power.
“It’s really special,” West Aurora coach Nate Eimer said of the win and Marshall, who was playing in his one and only career matchup against crosstown rival East Aurora. “Kewon’s electric.
“He’s been really good, especially the (three) weeks we didn’t have Terrence there for a while due to injury. Kewon has stepped up and been a major part of our offense.”
Marshall was a major factor and scored three touchdowns for the Blackhawks, who built a 47-0 halftime lead and cruised to a 47-6 Upstate Eight West victory over the host Tomcats.
In the 127th meeting of a series dating to 1893, Marshall caught three passes for 80 yards from junior quarterback Mason Atkins. Marshall scored on all three — from 49, 9 and 22 yards.
The win gives West Aurora a 67-48-12 lead in the series. Equally important, it clinches a share of the conference title for the Blackhawks (8-0, 5-0) with one game remaining in the regular season.
It’s only the second time in 40-plus years that West Aurora has won a conference championship in football, with the last two coming in 1982 and 2016.
“For a program that’s had its downs, a chance to go 9-0 next week on senior night is pretty darn special,” Eimer said.
Atkins completed 10 of 12 passes for 196 yards and six TDs, including a 25-yard toss to Smith and a pair of passes covering 53 and 23 yards to senior receiver Reece Powers.
Senior defensive back Nick Weisse also returned an interception 20 yards for a TD for the Blackhawks. Senior quarterback CJ Young produced a 37-yard TD run for East Aurora (0-8, 0-5).
“Respect to my team, I wouldn’t want to go to war with anyone but them,” Young said. “There’s talent and great potential here. I wish I had one more year with my guys.”
West Aurora’s defense, however, held the Tomcats to 35 yards in the first half. The Blackhawks did nothing but pass on their first four possessions, taking advantage of short fields.
“We know we can run,” Atkins said. “We’re just trying to prepare every practice, every game, for the playoffs and we have to be able to get the ball to our receivers who are athletes.”
Smith, who returned for his second game back after missing three straight, gave his teammates a scare when he was shaken up after his first of two catches.
“I was a little worried thinking, ‘You gotta get up,’” Marshall said. “Our receivers have developed real good chemistry the last few years and we need him.”
Smith said the defender fell on his leg and it felt like “a stinger” but didn’t last long. Marshall’s long TD, meanwhile came on a throw over the middle that he caught in traffic.
It’s not surprising considering Marshall came off the bench as a junior to provide a spark for West Aurora in basketball and then won the Class 3A state title in the high jump, his first foray into track.
“He gets hit, shrugs the guy off, and his athleticism and how he’s been playing out here has been off the charts,” Atkins said. “He’s been a beast out here.”
Marshall’s other TDs came on flips from Atkins that are technically passes but look like an end-around. He now has 23 receptions for 362 yards and seven TDs.
“I love running the ball,” Marshall said. “When I heard the call, I had to get it in.”
Eimer likes the flip pass because if the exchange is bad and the ball falls to the ground, it’s ruled an incomplete pass, not a fumble.
“Kewon has just taken over on these jets,” Atkins said. “He’s just faster, more athletic than everyone and he just gets outside.”
Young gave West Aurora props afterward.
“I wish them the best of luck in the playoffs,” Young said. “Get healthy, make plays and have a bright future.”
