Roncalli's Leffler among state's best quarterbacks

For Roncalli quarterback Aidan Leffler, performing at the next level truly is in his genes. Both his parents were college student-athletes, and his grandfather was a successful high school head coach for over two decades. Therefore, it should have been no surprise to anyone last year when he guided Roncalli to a sectional title and a 7-6 campaign, which ended at the hands of Mt. Vernon (Fortville) in the regional round of the tournament. It was the 20th overall sectional crown for the Rebels in program history. Still not impressed? Consider, in the sectional final against Lebanon, Leffler rushed for 115 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries and threw for another 110 yards. There was also a six total touchdown performance against Crispus Attucks. On that night, Leffler was 8-of-15 for 139 yards and a touchdown through the air, and added 81 yards and five touchdowns on just 17 touches on the ground. For the season, Leffler was 161-of 274 through the air for 1,816 yards, and 15 touchdowns. He also amassed 546 yards and another 14 touchdowns on the ground. Not bad for a player who transitioned from linebacker to quarterback the summer before his freshman year. “During the summer heading into my freshman year, the head coach at Roncalli High School provided me the opportunity to practice with the varsity as a quarterback. I never really looked back from there and started to work on the position much more. I started the last five games of my freshman season,” Leffler told Sideline Prep Sports Report. Heading into his sophomore season, he admits the game slowed down and came to him. “I began to make more difficult reads, which made the quarterback job much easier,” he said. And, he etched his name among the best underclassmen dual quarterbacks in the Hoosier state. “I am honored that others view me as one of the best at the position, but at the end of the day, I just have to keep working hard and improving,” Leffler told Sideline Prep Sports Report. While some may still be surprised with his success, Leffler admits he is not. “I am surrounded by great coaches and great teammates that all contribute to the success of not only my play, but our entire team’s play,” Leffler said. In 2016, the Rebels were a perfect 15-0 and state champs. That is one place Leffler would like to take Roncalli. “A huge goal, as a team, is to play at Lucas Oil Stadium on Thanksgiving weekend and win a state championship. I would have to say my individual goals perfectly align with my team’s goals of winning a state championship,” Leffler said. While he is only a junior, Leffler has begun looking at the next level and told Sideline Prep Sports Report he is “really looking forward to the recruiting process.” In addition, he hopes to draw the attention of a program with great academics and competitive athletics.