And Normal West could halt a two-game slide while securing its sixth victory of the season.

None of the Intercity's Big 12 teams, however, figure to enjoy a free ride.

BHS (7-1 overall and in the Big 12) meets Decatur MacArthur (4-4, 4-4) and Illinois recruit Marques Wilkins at Fred Carlton Field at 7 p.m.

NCHS (7-1, 7-1) hits the road to face Champaign Central (5-3, 5-3) at 7 p.m., and West (5-3, 5-3) tangles with Champaign Centennial (6-2, 6-2) in a 7 p.m. start at Normal.

"It's been a good year for our league. I think it's one of the stronger, balanced leagues I've seen," Ironmen coach Hud Venerable said. "That would give it (a title share) extra meaning."

In Corn Belt Conference play, Central Catholic (6-2, 6-2) is home to face Herscher (3-5, 3-5) at 7 p.m., and University High (2-6, 2-6) entertains league leader Mahomet-Seymour (7-1, 7-1) for a 7:45 p.m. game at Hancock Stadium.

Normal Community

An NCHS defense that has contributed two shutouts to a four-game winning streak will be tested by Champaign tailback Cory Leman and quarterback Mike Martinie.

"It's not going to be easy. They are a very good team," said Venerable. "They have put a lot of points on the board. They have a three-year starter at quarterback and a great running back. It's really a big-play offense."

Among the standouts on an NCHS defense giving up just 11.2 points per game are nose guard Kirkland Grant, outside linebacker Devon Lindsay, inside linebacker Sam Smith and linebacker/cornerback Shannon Cobb.

"Grant has been an anchor in the middle of our defensive line," Venerable said. "Wherever Cobb has been asked to play, he's done a good job."

Cobb missed the second half of last week's win over Danville with a leg injury but is expected to play today.

Austin Davis paces the Ironmen in rushing with 507 yards, while Cobb is next at 482.

Ranked No. 9 in Class 6A, NCHS expects to remain in 6A when playoff pairings are announced Saturday.

Bloomington

Also a likely part of the 6A playoffs, BHS is ranked No. 10 in that class. MacArthur needs a win to qualify for the playoffs.

"They have to have it. They will come to play," BHS coach Rigo Schmelzer said. "I think we have to play with a little more emotion than last week or we're in trouble."

Schmelzer said Wilkins is a "tailback, free safety, kick returner. He's a one-man highlight tape."

MacArthur also gets offensive help from fullback Paul Cobb and quarterback Travis Garrett.

"They put a lot of points on the board, but they're also giving up points," Schmelzer said. "This is the first time they're running a 50 front and they're still learning."

Junior Erik Wilson rushed for 111 yards in last week's win over Decatur Eisenhower. Senior Valshun Powe leads the Purple Raiders with 808 yards on the ground.

Tailback David Simmons, who rushed for 568 yards in BHS' first five games before being suspended, is no longer with the team by "mutual agreement" according to Schmelzer.

Normal West

The Wildcats have plenty of playoff points to get a bid Saturday even if they lose today. But momentum heading into the postseason is what West coach Darren Hess craves.

"We want to get that playoff mode going. We want to end on a positive note," said Hess. "It could be the difference between playing a No. 1 seed or not. Most of the teams that are going to be in our region will be 8-1 or 7-2."

Hess said he has tried to foster "more of a relaxed atmosphere" after losses to Bloomington and Mattoon. "We want them to get excited about football again. If you try to press too hard, things don't always happen the right way."

Fullback Jordan Flex has helped the Ironmen with 99 yards rushing the past two weeks. Tailback Josh Lacombe is second in the area at 1,084 yards.

"Jordan has really come on at fullback. He's a hard-nosed runner and an outstanding blocker," said Hess. "Jake McCowan at defensive end has been doing an outstanding job. He's been physical and he's making plays for us."

Centennial's offense is led by tailback Mikel Leshoure.

Central Catholic

The Saints have won three straight games, including victories the last two weeks over Pontiac and Prairie Central.

"We've been playing pretty well. We're kind of on a roll and we want to keep that going into the playoffs," Central Catholic coach Bobby Moews said. "We are so on the borderline between 3A and 4A. We're at the point where we're not going to worry about it and wait and see. The only thing we can do is get our job done."

Andrew King rushed for 76 yards and caught two passes for 90 yards in last week's win over Prairie Central. He is the Saints' leading rusher for the season with 374 yards.

Senior Matt Pelton has passed for 1,351 yards, rushed for 288 and intercepted an area-leading nine passes.

"Our defense has really been the backbone of what we're doing," said Moews. "We're playing more consistent on offense and the run game is coming back a little bit."

Moews expects running back Pat Knutson to play despite a shoulder injury.

University High

Central Catholic, Pontiac and Prairie Central (all 6-2 in the Corn Belt) will certainly be rooting for U High to knock off Mahomet-Seymour in the Pioneers' season finale.

"It would be nice to get another win. Last week (in a win over Eureka) the kids understood what it takes to get there. We had a good week of practice and it paid off," U High coach Kurt Olson said. "For the first time this year we had multiple guys step up and make big plays in the game. Seniors seemed to step up at the right time and make plays on both sides of the ball.

"Josh Cox had a couple of fourth down conversion passes, Luke Augspurger had some big special teams playS and Josh Huff had an interception in the end zone."

Ranked seventh in Class 4A, Mahomet-Seymour averages 37.6 points and gives up 10.8.

"They lost their good quarterback (Bodie Reeder, now at Wyoming) from last year, but their run game is as good or better," Olson said. "They definitely present some problems up front with their size and speed. We have to find some ways to slow them down."