Leo Corral Is Everywhere on the Field for Aurora Central Catholic

Aurora Central Catholic junior Leo Corral rarely leaves the field when the Chargers play football. Whether on offense, defense or special teams, he is usually in the action.

"I always love to be doing something," said Corral, who also plays point guard in basketball and second base in baseball. He says baseball is his top sport at the moment, though he has always loved football and basketball too. Right now, a second straight playoff appearance has his full attention.

"It's so much fun," Corral said. "You can have a tough day at school then get to come out and play with your brothers. It's just such a great experience I think everybody should go through."

The Chargers (4-6) beat Carver of the Public League 49-8 last weekend in the opening round of the Class 4A playoffs. Next up is a 5 p.m. Saturday first-round game at Hanson Stadium in Chicago against Rauner (7-2). Aurora Central Catholic beat Rauner 32-14 in the first round last year.

Coach Christian Rago expects a tougher test this time. "Rauner played in a higher division and they've got some very good athletes," he said. "They're well-coached with a lot of guys back. It was a battle and they've gotten better."

Graduation losses, especially on offense, meant Rago needed someone to step up. Corral, a three-year starter at safety, saw his limited offensive role at wingback from last year grow. He leads the run-oriented Chargers with 1,138 all-purpose yards: 454 receiving, 114 rushing, 420 on kick returns, 57 on punt returns, 52 on interception returns and 41 on fumble returns. He also serves as a gunner on punts and a contain player on kickoffs.

Rago saw his potential early, starting Corral in the secondary as a freshman. He had also watched him in eighth grade with the Aurora Gators. "You just knew immediately," Rago said. "He had a sense for the game, understands it and is a smooth athlete, always in the right position and very coachable."

Athletics run in the family. Corral's father, Adan, played football and baseball at the school, and his older sister, Sofia, starred in basketball for the Chargers and is now a sophomore guard at NCAA Division III power New York University. "The blood lines are strong here," Rago said.

Baseball coach Rich Swann, who also assists Rago with the secondary, coached Corral's father in both sports. He praised the junior's reliability. "He does exactly what we ask him to do," Swann said, noting Corral has played safety, cornerback and linebacker and that the staff can adjust during games because he understands the sport so well.

Corral also helps the Chargers win the turnover battle. The team has 19 takeaways against 11 giveaways, a plus-8 margin, and Corral has five of the team's interceptions. "Mostly it's just reading the quarterback seeing where he's going," he said. Rago calls him a hybrid in the flexbone offense who is crucial to the run game and a strong blocker.