By Austin Duncan
Jake Baughman threw for three touchdowns and rushed for two as Central Catholic clichéd its first outright Corn Belt Conference title since 2008 with a 42-21 win at Mahomet-Seymour
CCHS’ running back Ryan Zitkus rushed for 183 yards on 14 carries and scored two first half touchdowns for the Saints (7-1). Zitkus’ 8-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter put CCHS on top to stay at 14-7.
Dominic Brackenhoff returned two kickoffs for scores for the Bulldogs (4-4).
The Saints defense forced six turnovers, including four interceptions, two by J.P. Sikora, and had four sacks.
At U-High, the Pioneers fell to Pontiac 16-9 in a Corn Belt Conference matchup at Hancock Stadium in Normal.
The Pioneers could not get anything going as standout running back, Jo-Jo Hughes carried the ball 21 times for just 82 yards.
U-High scored just twice in the game, both scores coming with no time on the clock. The Pioneers scored a 25 yard field goal from kicker, Noah Sandoval as time expired and the first half, and on a 30 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Doug Holmes to Illinois State commit Austin Galindo.
The Pioneers fall to 6-2 on the season and a 5-2 mark in the Cornbelt Conference. Pontiac improves to 6-2 on the season and 6-1 in the conference.
At Danville, the Bloomington High School Purple Raiders captured a 26-0 shutout victory over its Big 12 rival.
BHS used a pair scores from Telly Arrington of seven and 65 five yards to secure the victory.
The Raiders improve to 2-6 on the season, and a 2-3 Big 12 Conference record. Danville falls to 2-6 on the season and 1-4 in the Big 12.
Next week, the Raiders play host to Normal West. This marks the final game for BHS head coach Rigo Schmelzer at the helm of the Raiders. BHS is asking all former players to attend the game to pay tribute to the long time head coach.
Normal West turned the Big 12 upside down with its 64-39 win over formerly winless Peoria High. Going in to week eight, Peoria sat in a tie with rival, Peoria Notre Dame atop the Big 12.
Normal West used its high powered offense to hand the Lions their first loss of the season.
The Wildcats led Peoria High just 31-27 at the half before pulling away in the second half.
Normal West improves to 2-3 in the Big 12, while Peoria High fell to 7-1 in the conference.
On Saturday, Normal Community (4-1) travels to Big 12 leader Peoria Notre Dame. If NCHS wins, there will be a three way tie atop the Big 12, as NCHS, Peoria High, and Peoria Notre Dame would all hold one loss. You can find that game on WJBC.com. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
WJBC’s Eric Stock contributed to this report.
