Whether that's good enough to make a long playoff run remains to be seen.

"We are playing solid football," said BHS coach Rigo Schmelzer, whose team has advanced to the last three Class 6A championship games. "My question is: 'Is this as good as we're going to get or can we improve?'"

In Class 6A, BHS (8-1) takes a seven-game winning streak into a rematch against Big 12 Conference foe Champaign Centennial (6-3) at Fred Carlton Field. Normal West (6-3), fresh off a victory against Centennial last week, travels to meet Peoria Richwoods (7-2).

Central Catholic (7-2) has won four straight heading into a Class 4A first-round game against IVC (5-4) at Bill Hundman Memorial Field.

Bloomington-Centennial

The third-seeded and 10th-ranked Purple Raiders handed Centennial a 35-14 defeat four weeks ago. While Schmelzer doesn't expect the No. 6-seeded Chargers to change their game plan much, BHS figures this won't be a replay.

"We'll see a more spirited game and a team with nothing to lose and one that wants to make amends for the first game," said Schmelzer.

Centennial relies heavily on Mikel Leshoure. The sophomore tailback has gained 1,050 yards and scored 12 touchdowns. Quarterback Ryan Ward has completed 75 of 139 attempts for 1,129 yards and 10 TDs.

Senior tailback Valshun Powe has come on strong for BHS in the second half of the season. Powe gained a school-record 345 yards rushing last week in a 28-7 victory against Decatur MacArthur that clinched a share of the Big 12 championship with Normal Community.

For the season, Powe has 1,158 yards with an eye-popping 11.3 yards per carry.

Schmelzer is concerned about BHS' receiving unit. David Cook sprained an ankle last week and is questionable, while Mitchell Jordan sat out against MacArthur with a hamstring injury.

The winner advances to the second round to meet NCHS or Rock Island.

West-Richwoods

West's 17-14 victory against Centennial last week stopped a two-game losing streak for the fifth-seeded Wildcats.

"Anytime you can beat a team like Centennial like we did, it heals a lot of wounds," said West coach Darren Hess. "It gave us a lot of confidence going into this week."

Part of West's success last week was holding Centennial standout Leshoure to 40 yards on 17 carries. The Wildcats' defense, led by senior linebacker Jeff Hevrin who had 16 tackles against Centennial, faces a similar challenge tonight.

Richwoods' Sherrick McManis has gained 1,619 yards and scored 20 TDs. Hess said the 6-foot, 175-pound McManis lines up at tailback, fullback and sometimes quarterback.

"He's definitely a play-maker. He's up there with many of the backs we've seen in the Big 12," said Hess. "He can take over a game. Defensively, we need to shut him down.

"They're a ball-control type of team, option, off tackle. They limit the amount of offensive touches you get and are quick up front."

Richwoods, the Mid-State 6 Conference champion, didn't play a team with a winning record this season.

If West wins, the Wildcats would be at home in the second round to face No. 1-seeded Mount Vernon or No. 8 Champaign Central.

Central-IVC

Don't be fooled by IVC's modest record, warns Central Catholic coach Bobby Moews.

"They were putting it to Spring Valley Hall last week. They led 30-26 at halftime," said Moews.

Undefeated Hall rallied for a 40-30 victory, but the No. 2-seeded Saints figure to have their hands full with Tim Ladd. The seventh-seeded Grey Ghosts' tailback has rushed for 1,500 yards, including 164 against Hall.

"I'm not sure we've faced anyone with the speed and strength he has," said Moews. "He runs hard."

IVC quarterback Chris Shindley, a four-year starter, has completed 72 of 163 attempts for 1,141 yards and six TDs.

"They give you a lot of different looks and will throw the ball, but they want the ball in Ladd's hands," said Moews.

Central Catholic's Matt Pelton figures to play a major role in tonight's outcome on both sides of the ball. Pelton is third in the area with 1,521 passing yards, completing 82 of 142 attempts for 18 TDs. The senior also is No. 1 in the area with 10 interceptions.

The 10th-ranked Saints have won state titles in Class 1A, 2A and 3A. Now they have a chance to add a championship in another class.

"We're really playing better defensively and offensively we're finding out what we do well," said Moews. "We haven't turned over the ball a lot the last four weeks and our line has gotten a whole lot better."

A victory would put the Saints into a second-round game next week against a Corn Belt Conference rival, either Rantoul or Prairie Central.