Pantagraph.com | Sports | Week 4 Intercity football previews

SportsFriday, September 14, 2007 1:04 AM CDT

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Week 4 Intercity football previews

Brief previews of tonight’s high school football games involving teams from Bloomington-Normal.

Normal Community vs. Mattoon

Time: 7 p.m. today

Place: Normal Community High School

Records: NCHS 3-0, 3-0 in Big 12 Conference; Mattoon 3-0, 3-0

Radio: WJBC-AM (1230)

FYI: NCHS, playing its home opener, is ranked No. 1 in Class 6A and has won 17 in a row. Mattoon is rated No. 7 in 5A, led by Marshall Creed’s 414 yards rushing and seven touchdowns. Kyle Drummond has added 170 yards, but did not play last week because of a shoulder injury. He is questionable tonight. Green Wave quarterback Jeremy Jordan has completed 26 of 34 passes for 289 yards and 2 TDs in wins over Decatur Eisenhower (0-3), Danville (1-2) and Decatur MacArthur (0-3).

Quoting: “It’s nice to not have to saddle up and ride the bus again. I feel like we’ve taken some big strides defensively in the last week. Offensively, we’re continuing to do the things we’ve done, hopefully cutting down on our mistakes.” — NCHS coach Hud Venerable

Bloomington vs. Urbana

Time: 7 p.m. today

Place: Urbana High School

Records: BHS 2-1, 2-1 in Big 12; Urbana 0-3, 0-3

FYI: BHS will be without star tailback/safety Darrelynn Dunn because of a broken thumb. Marcus Johnson will move from fullback to tailback. The Raiders also will be without receiver Tyler Sipes, lineman Chris Love, long snapper Matt Rush and center Deonte Person because of injuries.

Quoting: “It’s a great opportunity for other kids to step up. But it’s tough to have any kind of consistency from week to week. I’m not going to push it. At the state we’re in, we just have to continue to improve and get healthy.” — BHS coach Rigo Schmelzer

Central Catholic vs. Olympia

Time: 7:45 p.m. today

Place: Olympia High School, Stanford

Records: Central 3-0, 3-0 in Corn Belt Conference; Olympia 0-3, 0-3

FYI: Central Catholic has allowed only seven points, the fewest in the Pantagraph area. Seniors Brendan Geselle and Zach Eyre have 23 tackles each to lead the Saints, who are ranked No. 3 in Class 4A. Olympia will be trying to snap a 27-game losing streak.

Quoting: “We’ve talked about focusing on ourselves and getting better. We’ve made great strides in our offensive line, and we have to continue that. We know Olympia is going to play hard. I haven’t seen any quit in their kids.” — Central coach Bobby Moews

West vs. Decatur MacArthur

Time: 7 p.m. today

Place: Normal West High School

Records: Normal West 2-1, 2-1 in Big 12; MacArthur 0-3, 0-3

FYI: Normal West has won two in a row after a season-opening loss to Champaign Centennial. The Wildcats rallied to edge Champaign Central, 21-14, in overtime last week. Junior tailback Darius Bell scored the winning TD and has 425 yards this season. MacArthur is coming off a 30-20 loss to state-ranked Mattoon.

Quoting: “The record of the teams they’ve lost to is 8-1. Every year it’s a battle. They have tough, hard-nosed kids. They spread things out and they can run and throw. I look for a really competitive game.” — West coach Darren Hess

U High vs. Pontiac

Time: 7:45 p.m. today

Place: Williamson Field, Pontiac

Records: U High 1-2, 1-2 in Corn Belt; Pontiac 2-1, 1-1

Radio: WJEZ-FM (98.9)

FYI: U High plays its third straight state-ranked team, falling 19-7 to Central Catholic (No. 3 in 4A) and 20-19 to Rochester (No. 5 in 4A) after trailing 20-0. Pontiac is rated 10th in 5A. The Indians downed Morris and Prairie Central before losing 35-14 to Mahomet-Seymour (No. 6, 4A). Pontiac star tailback/cornerback Kendrique Coats suffered a concussion last week and will not play. Also out with a concussion is defensive end C.J. Davies. U High strong safety/running back Zach Zentner is questionable with a high ankle sprain.

Quoting: “The kids showed (last week) they’re not going to give up no matter what. We need to continue to improve and start that surge a little earlier.” — U High coach Kurt Olson.