Pantagraph.com - Sports - BHS staying focused on improvement

Bloomington High School junior running back Darian Davis looks for running room during the Purple Raid-ers’ 23-0 loss to Normal Community earlier this month in the Intercity Doubleheader. BHS has bounced back with two victories since the NCHS loss and take a 3-1 record into tonight’s Big 12 Conference game at Champaign Central. (Pantagraph/B MOSHER)

BLOOMINGTON - One of the more telling moments in the Bloomington High School football team's 42-8 win over Urbana last week at Fred Carlton Field came after the game.

Despite the lopsided final score and flashes of brilliance, the victory celebration was subdued as the Purple Raiders and their coaches mulled another uneven performance.

While most teams would be thrilled with a 3-1 record approaching the midway point of the regular season, the perennial Big 12 Conference power is still grappling with some gnawing questions.

"The stage of development we would expect has not occurred," said BHS coach Rigo Schmelzer. "We're not there, and we're entering a stretch where the next four teams we play all have playoff capabilities. We're in a stretch where we need to have made enough improvements to deal with other teams that we assume have made improvements."

BHS' players agree with their coach's assessment entering tonight's 7 o'clock Big 12 game at Champaign Central.

"The coaches expected us to be a little farther along than what we are right now," said senior wide receiver/cornerback Josh Mitchell. "We're getting there, but we're getting there slowly. I think as the weeks go on we're getting closer and closer to where we need to be to compete at the state level."

The Raiders are used to performing at the highest level after posting three straight Class 6A state runner-up finishes from 2002-04. The streak ended last year with a second-round playoff loss to Intercity archrival Normal Community, which also dealt BHS a stinging 23-0 defeat earlier this season.

While he considers this team a "work in progress," Schmelzer likes the Raiders' potential. BHS' offense has been effective on the ground and through the air although it has lacked the explosiveness of recent years. An ever-improving defense is allowing only 12 points per game.

"We have good kids," Schmelzer said. "We also have some kids that have to recognize nothing is going to be handed to them and they're going to have to work and step forward to achieve it. We're at a point where we need some kids to step forward by example and hard work."

The Raiders have been productive offensively despite a rash of injuries on an already inexperienced line. Senior quarterback Stephen Esch has completed 28 of 48 passes for 370 yards and four touchdowns. Junior Darian Davis and sophomore Darrelynn Dunn have combined for 481 yards and six TDs at running back.

"With the offensive linemen and the merry-go-round, carousel effect we have there, we're a little porous on the offensive side," Schmelzer said. "We need to get our offense clicking and find something we can put our hat on that we say we can always get yards when we need to."

David Cook and Mitchell have been Esch's favorite targets. Cook has nine catches for 175 yards and two TDs while averaging 19.4 yards per reception. Mitchell has 12 catches for 131 yards and one TD.

"We have a little bit to work on," said senior tight end/defensive end Justin Zoeller. "We just have to get better every week in practice. We've had a lot of good games but we have to step it up more."

The Raiders will have to step up with a schedule featuring Champaign Central, Mattoon, Big 12 co-leader Champaign Centennial and Intercity rival Normal West in successive weeks.

"Leadership is going to be a big thing," Mitchell said. "We need some leaders to step up on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. People just need to start making plays and not rely on somebody else to do it for them.

"We really feel like we can make some noise in the playoffs and made a good run at the state title again this year. The signs are definitely there. The (offensive) line is getting better every week and as they keep getting better the offense will keep getting better."

Senior defensive tackle Rich Kwitkowski, an all-Big 12 first-team performer last season, is confident the Raiders are on the right track.

"This is only Week 5. We still have plenty of time," Kwitkowski said. "We'll pull it together. I have faith in us, and so does everybody else."

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Big Improvement... wrote on September 22, 2006 3:45 PM:"If Rigo would call the defense instead of Baldwin"

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