Standing on the threshold of making Illinois High School Association history has not altered Jordan Roberts’ perception of the world one bit.
Humility and compassion for others are still the essence of this Aurora Christian quarterback, who has far more servant in him than master.
When Roberts leads the undefeated Eagles against unbeaten Chicago Christian on Friday night in Aurora, he will need two touchdown passes to establish a career standard.
“I didn’t even know how many I had or what I needed to get until after the last game, when a teammate’s dad told me,” said Roberts, whose six touchdown passes in last week’s 48-8 rout of Lake Forest Academy gave him 94 in his career.
“I’d love to have the record for coach (Don) Beebe. He’s the one who has made me into the player I am today. If it happens, I’ll be running down there and congratulating the guy who caught the ball.”
Receiver Luis Solorio wants to be that guy.
“I’ve been thinking about it since last year,” said Solorio, a good friend of Roberts’ for the last four years. “I scored the first touchdown on our new turf field, and now I want to catch the record-setting pass.”
Already Roberts has memories of the six touchdown passes he threw in the second quarter against Luther North as a sophomore to give him seven by halftime.
Last year against Lake Forest Academy, he had seven TD passes and ran for another in the Eagles’ spread offense.
Still fresh in his mind is last weekend’s leadership retreat near Pontiac, when Roberts, Solorio and offensive lineman Anthony Cadena shared a tent and endured the stink-bomb prank of offensive linemen Braxton Warner and Andrew Ubert.
“It’s so much fun to be with these guys, and Luis is such a funny guy,” Roberts said. “If you’re having a bad day, he will put a smile on your face.
“I realize now how much I’ve grown the last four years, especially in relationships with my teammates and with Christ.”
The 6-foot-1-inch, 205-pounder — who has attracted the attention of Oregon, Louisville, Arizona and Iowa State, among others — has completed 63 percent of his passes this season for 632 yards and 12 TDs.
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He needs 945 passing yards to surpass the career mark of 8,308 set by Rochester’s Will Lunt last year.
“I played against Jordan in 8th grade, and he was so hyped the whole season,” Solorio said. “When your own coaches keep talking about how good he is, well, I just wanted to pound him.
“My freshman year, I found out he was nothing like the image I had of him. He is a quiet guy who doesn’t brag about things.
“He is a leader on the field and in school, and is one of those smart kids always asking questions of the teachers. If you need help with your homework, he is always there to help you out.”
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