Records: Normal Community 5-0, 5-0
in Big 12 Conference; Normal West 4-1,
4-1
Radio: WJBC-AM
(1230)
FYI: These Unit 5 rivals square off
for the 12th time, with NCHS holding a 9-2 series
advantage that includes a 21-7 victory last year. The
Ironmen, No. 1 in the Class 6A state rankings, are
coming off a 42-7 victory over Champaign Centennial that
avenged their only regular-season defeat last year. NCHS
center Derek Logue injured his ankle in that contest and
could be out for the season. Senior Anthony Guevara will
become the starting center. West has won four straight
games, including a 27-0 victory over Danville last week
for its first shutout. Sophomore Darius Bell has juiced
up the Wildcats’ offense the past two games with 379
yards rushing on 54 carries.
Quoting:
“West is making great progress with a young team from
week one to now. They didn’t have much experi-ence
returning. Bell is really special. I like how they move
him around at fullback and tailback. It’s hard to zero
in on him. Our group has been very business-like with
every game on our schedule.” — NCHS coach Hud
Venerable
“They (the Ironmen) do a great job and
don’t make mistakes, and they produce turnovers
defensively. I can’t think of a better team defensively.
They fly to the football. Our focus is on ourselves.
We’ve been turning the ball over a lot early. We have to
take care of the football. Our offensive line is getting
better each week and that makes a difference, and the
running of Darius Bell makes a difference.” — West coach
Darren Hess
Mattoon
vs.
Bloomington
Time: 7
p.m.
Place: Fred Carlton Field,
Bloomington
Records: Mattoon 3-2, 3-2 in
Big 12 Conference; Bloomington 4-1,
4-1
Radio: WJBC-AM (1230), periodic
reports
FYI: Bloomington finishes the
regular season with three of four home games, including
tonight’s homecoming contest. The Purple Raiders won
their third straight game last week, 28-6 over Champaign
Central, thanks to a solid defensive effort that held
the Maroons to 160 yards. Four BHS players have been
suspended for the game because of a school cafeteria
food fight during the week, but BHS coach Rigo Schmelzer
said only one starter is involved. He declined to name
the players. Mattoon is led by quarterback Jeremy Jordan
(42 of 75, 564 yards, 2 TDs) and running back Kyle
Drummond (577 yards, nine TDs).
Quoting:
“This has been one of our better weeks of practices so
far. The only thing preventing us from becoming a really
solid football club is our offense. I’m not displeased
with our special teams play and our defense is pretty
good. The offense has had some setbacks in the line
(with injuries). Each week is a little different and the
kids are still learning. Their effort is good and
they’re putting up with a grouchy head coach.” — BHS
coach Rigo Schmelzer
Rochester
vs.
Central Catholic
Time: 7
p.m.
Place: Bill Hundman Memorial Field,
Bloomington
Records: Rochester 4-1, 4-1 in
Corn Belt Conference; Central Catholic 5-0,
5-0
Radio: WJBC-AM (1230), periodic
reports
FYI: Central Catholic, No. 5 in
the Class 4A state rankings, tries to celebrate
homecoming by staying atop the Corn Belt Conference
standings. The Saints were pushed to the limit last
week, using Michael Fenger’s 23-yard field goal with 15
seconds left to edge Mahomet-Seymour, 13-10. Quarterback
Kyle Hundman and wide receiver Bobby Selzer have hooked
up for six touchdown passes for the Saints. Central
Catholic two-way lineman A.J. Eyre returned last week
from a shoulder injury and should start tonight.
Rochester has scored 28 or more points in four games and
is led by quarterback Wil Lunt, who has completed 90 of
157 attempts for 1,207 yards and 12 TDs. Taylor Reller
has rushed for 322 yards and four
TDs.
Quoting: “Rochester runs that spread
offense and does a lot of stuff you don’t really
practice until you play them. It’s kind of a new week
for us. We have to get the kids acclimated to pass first
and run second, and that’s difficult sometimes. The best
thing about last week was we got pushed around and we
responded. We needed that.” — Cen-tral Catholic coach
Bobby Moews
University High
vs.
Sherrard
Time: 7:15 p.m.
Place:
Sherrard High School
Records: University
High 1-4; Sherrard 1-4
Radio: WJBC-AM
(1230), periodic reports
FYI: University
High heads to the northwest in search of snapping a
four-game losing streak in a nonconference game. The
Pioneers’ four losses have come to teams with a combined
17-2 record. U High will continue to use senior Tyler
Cook and sophomore Jake Todino at quarterback. Sherrard,
which plays in the Olympic Conference, beat Knoxville
20-14 two weeks ago before losing to undefeated Macomb
43-0 last week.
Quoting: “By talking to
their coach, they easily could be 3-2 right now. They’re
mainly a running team out of a double tight (end)
wishbone and double tight wing. They’ll try to establish
the line and pound us all night. We’ve played tough
competition the first five weeks. The kids understand we
could have had one or two more wins. They understand if
we want to have a chance at the playoffs we have to play
one week at a time and get victories.” — U High coach
Kurt Olson
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