By Greg Halbleib and Eric Stock
BLOOMINGTON – High school football switches on the Friday night lights for the first time this year.
Normal West visits defending 5A champion Peoria in the featured game on the WJBC Friday Night Extravaganza.
The Extravaganza will include reports from Central Catholic at Pontiac, where Saints coach Mike Moews prepares to face an old rival in the new Illini Prairie Conference.
“It’s weird playing Pontiac the first game of the year,” Moews said. “Now they are all conference games so your focus has to be on our goals and what we want to accomplish.”
Normal Community travels to Urbana. Ironmen coach Wes Temples said senior tailback Varshaun Dixon and new starting quarterback Daylen Boddie are prepared to lead the way.
“Daylen is our quarterback,” Temples declared. “He’s an unbelievable athlete and it’s exciting to watch him and Varshaun has proven what he’s capable of.
“This is by far the best offseason he’s ever had. He’s committed to what we are doing and been just excellent.”
Bloomington will host Manual. BHS coach Joe Walters said returning starter Colton Sandage has some new weapons in the passing game.
“We lost a couple (skill players) state track (finalists) who are running track in college, but Colton has three or four more guys with him now that are very good as well that are on our track team. Colton broke some school records last year which is saying a lot for quarterbacks because we’ve had some great ones come through.”
University High heads to new Central State 8 rival Springfield.
The Extravaganza begins at 6:10 with scene setters, updates every quarter hour and post-game until 11 p.m.
Updates can also be found on Twitter (@WJBCHSFootball, #WJBCHSFB), Facebook (WJBCAM) and the Sports Scoreboard page at WJBC.com.
WJBC 1230 AM:
6:00 p.m. Football (Extravaganza) – Normal West at Peoria Listen live here
WJEZ.com:
6:55 p.m. Football – Central Catholic at Pontiac Listen live here
WJBC.com:
6:20 p.m. Baseball – River City at Normal Listen live here
