This is the one.
East Aurora’s Jonathan Ortiz knows that’s the case because he can see the big picture.
While results in the won-loss column haven’t gone quite as well as planned, the two-way senior starter at running back and linebacker understands what looms ahead for the Tomcats.
Friday night’s rivalry meeting with West Aurora serves as a playoff game. East Aurora’s struggles haven’t stopped Ortiz, who has emerged as a key player, from exploring career possibilities.
“My plan since I went to high school was to go into welding and go into the Navy,” Ortiz said. “The military has played a big part for my family. I know how to weld, but I’m looking into going into underwater welding. It’s very challenging.”
The 5-foot-6 180-pound Ortiz has met every challenge this season for East Aurora (2-5, 1-3).
Last year, Ortiz thought he would focus on defense and a backup role on offense before the unexpected transfer of two integral players. Suddenly, he was getting the ball for the Tomcats.
“Jonathan was somebody who really stepped up,” East Aurora coach Nick Kukuc said. “He’s an incredibly hard worker and his growth, even from last year to this year, has been tremendous.
“He’s had incredible leadership growth as well. That’s the special thing about coaching — that you get to see these kids grow into men. Seeing him and the way he approached the offseason and his leadership role on this team is really, really impressive.”
West Aurora (5-2, 3-1) will look to extend its 67-48-12 lead in the series that dates to 1893 when the teams kick off at 6 p.m. Friday at the Blackhawks’ Ken Zimmerman Field at Ormond Stadium.
Ortiz is well aware of it being the 128th meeting in the longest running rivalry in the state.
“We’ve been waiting for it all year,” Ortiz said. “It’s super exciting because we’ll see a lot of people that we know like family members and friends.
“I played in the Tomcat youth program in sixth through eighth grade. Some went to other Aurora schools. It will be fun to play against some of my old teammates.”
Old friends, too.
On defense, Ortiz could find himself looking up at Alfonso Aguilar, a 6-2, 230-pound offensive lineman for West Aurora.
“I was best friends with his cousin and have gotten to know him,” Ortiz said. “We were on the court together at his cousin’s quinceanera. I’m excited to see him and talk to him on the field.
“We’ll meet up.”
It’s how this game works, according to West Aurora coach Nate Eimer, who played in it for the Blackhawks.
“I could tell you all the snaps and all the plays from when I played in it and I’m 42 now,” Eimer said. “I’m just glad we got it back. Hopefully, it never goes away again.”
The teams were unable to meet from 2019 through 2023 when West Aurora left the Upstate Eight Conference for the Southwest Prairie. The Tomcats were limited to conference games those years.
The series resumed last season when the Blackhawks returned to the Upstate Eight. The teams will again vie for the Century Trophy, which was commissioned in 1992.
Ortiz, for one, is ready to go.
“I feel like last season I didn’t deliver like I should have on the offensive side,” Ortiz said. “It’s why I worked so hard in the offseason on weight and speed training.”
The game and program mean a lot to him.
“When I go out on the field, it’s like a whole different nature,” he said. “It really changes, especially when you’re running the ball. I like the adrenaline and knowing that we all have the same goal.
“It’s helped my confidence and helped me build relationships.”