If Don Beebe is leaning a little to the left these days, it probably has nothing to do with the former NFL wide receiver’s politics.
“It’s a little weird,” Aurora Christian’s offensive coordinator said last week at West Aurora, where the Eagles were taking part in the Aurora City 7-on-7 Tournament organized by West coach Nate Eimer.
“I’ve never had a left-hander (at quarterback) before. We’ve had to change a bunch of formations, which is fine.”
If things go as planned, it could be even better than fine with sophomore southpaw Drew Clippert at the controls.
“(Clippert) has had an incredible offseason,” Aurora Christian coach Dave Beebe said. “He’s had a growth spurt, worked his tail off, and is playing at a really high level right now.”
The Eagles went 3-1, tying West Aurora and Marmion for first place, in the event that was well-received. Aurora Christian took the title on the third tiebreaker, defensive points allowed.
Several opposing coaches were impressed with the Eagles’ young quarterback.
Seven-on-seven, with no pass rush, isn’t the same as regular-season football, however.
“He’s gotta get under fire on a Friday night against a Marmion or St. Rita,” Don Beebe said. “I will say this. He (and his Midwest Boom teammates) won a national 7-on-7 tournament in his 15-year-old age group (in June).
“He’s really a great thrower. What I like about it, he has what I consider are the three top things for a quarterback: the timing, decision-making and accuracy.”
Time will tell, but he appears to have plenty of confidence and composure, too.
Playing for the Beebe brothers “is an experience like no other,” Clippert said. “It’s a blessing to have those guys coaching you and mentoring you, a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“There are great programs on our (Catholic League White) schedule, but we’ve got a great line coming up this year and my receivers and running backs are insanely talented. I have no fears going into the season. We have receivers who can spread the field.”
Clippert, whose family has a St. Charles address in the Burlington Central school district, has been at Aurora Christian since eighth grade. In the past year, he’s grown from 5-foot-10 and 135 to 140 pounds to nearly 6-1 and 170 to 175.
“The doctors think I may end up being 6-5, 6-6,” he said, although his father is 6-1. “He got the short genes. Everyone else is taller.”
Austin Bray, the 6-4 senior who quarterbacked the Eagles to the state semifinals as a junior and a 5-5 record last season, has moved on to Eastern Michigan.
Height isn’t everything, though, Don Beebe said.
“You don’t have to have a big strong arm. You don’t have to be 6-4 (to play quarterback),” he said. “I really like (Clippert) because of those three areas I mentioned earlier.
“His decision-making, accuracy and timing are impressive. I’m real excited about his potential. I think he has all the intangibles.”
Dave Beebe said Clippert appears unflappable.
“I told him I thought his greatest trait might be that when he comes off the field, I don’t know if we’re winning or losing,” the coach said. “I told him he should be a pro golfer.”
As for the summer city tourney, pitting 3A to 8A schools in the noncontact excercise, Dave Beebe was singing its praises.
“It was Nate’s idea and what a great idea,” he said. “All he’s trying to do is build some chemistry between the teams in Aurora. Why would I not root for these teams when we’re not playing them?
“I hope this goes for 20 years. I think it would be great.”
Twitter: @RickArmstrong28