The only way for senior Antonio Higgins to go this season was up. But to do it, he needed to get some more playing time for West Aurora.
It’s why this summer, the 6-foot-1, 171-pound Higgins jumped at the chance to move from defensive back to wide receiver when the opportunity presented itself.
“I got in and out of the game last year, most of the time coming in for passing situations, especially on possible deep balls,” said Higgins, whose speed helps him in one-on-one coverage.
“I felt like as a senior I should take responsibility and help lead my team and keep us up.”
Higgins utilized his speed in Friday night’s season opener, catching three passes from senior quarterback Mason Atkins for 112 yards and providing one of the few bright spots in an otherwise rough start for the host Blackhawks.
Hinsdale Central rode the strong legs and arm of senior quarterback Riley Contreras to a 56-7 rout. Contreras threw for 242 yards and four touchdowns and ran for another TD.
Contreras added 78 yards rushing for the Red Devils (1-0), a Mid Suburban Silver team.
“They controlled the line of scrimmage,” West Aurora coach Nate Eimer said. “If you can’t run the ball, and they do, it’s tough.”
Like Higgins’ mantra this summer, West Aurora (0-1) will have to move on to a Week 2 home date against Glenbard East (1-0), figuring the only way to go is up.
“We were having a hard time stringing drives together — there was not a lot of rhythm,” Eimer said. “We just couldn’t get it going.”
It was a humbling start for a team coming off a 10-1 season that featured its only loss in the second round of the Class 8A playoffs.
“I told the kids we never got this feeling until the last game last year and we probably should have fixed some things during the season that we didn’t fix,” Eimer said. “My hope is we’re gonna look at this tape and we’re gonna make a lot of changes. We’re going to be a lot better next week.
“That’s why you do this.”
Junior offensive lineman Joshua Nolan was hurt early in the second quarter blocking for a punt and was taken by ambulance to a local hospital. Eimer was going to check on him afterward.
Atkins, meanwhile, struggled. The Ball State recruit completed 11 of 30 passes for 174 yards and one touchdown, a 2-yarder to senior tight end Liam Norris in the third quarter.
It was set up by Higgins’ 75-yard catch-and-run that came up short of his first career TD when he was ruled to have stepped out of bounds.
“It was about a 15-yard pass on an out-and-up route,” Higgins said. “It was a good call and I just broke it and got us downfield. I thought I made it into the end zone.
“The other team was yelling I stepped out, but I didn’t think so.”
Eimer was happy about Atkins’ connection with Higgins.
“I thought Antonio showed some flashes,” Eimer said. “We needed some big plays and he made them. I thought Mason threw some really good balls on those, too.”
Higgins’ first catch was a 7-yarder with 7:49 in the second quarter that gave West Aurora its initial first down, but the Blackhawks lost a fumble on the very next play.
Atkins, who also hit Higgins for a 30-yard reception, wasn’t surprised Higgins stepped up.
“We lost a lot of receivers to graduation and he’s worked really hard making the switch,” Atkins said. “I could see it in the summer 7-on-7s with him making plays. He’s always catching the ball.”
Despite the loss, plenty remains to play for, according to Eimer.
“Tonight stinks,” he said. “But in terms of our goals, it doesn’t have a lot of effect on that. I’d rather win in Week 10 or 11 and I’d rather win the conference title. We can still do all of that.”