Normal West runs through Peoria Notre Dame in season opener

Posted on August 30, 2024

*^{The High School Football Extravaganza is sponsored by CEFCU. (WJBC File Photo)}*

By Jake Fogal

NORMAL – Week 1 of the 2024 High School Football season belonged to Normal West running back Cody Muhlbauer.

The sophomore Wildcat was responsible for every touchdown Normal West scored on Friday, finding the endzone five times and totaling over 350 rushing yards in the 33-27 victory.

The two Big 12 Conference foes went back and forth throughout the game, but Muhlbauer appeared to be too much to handle. He kicked off the scoring festivities with a 50 yard score on the second play of the game, added long scores in the second and third quarters, and kept the Wildcat’s in the contest with two late touchdown’s to secure the win.

Peoria Notre Dame relied on Tyler Miller to get the Fighting Irish back into the contest, as he scored early in the second quarter. Miller would later return a blocked punt for six points to give the Irish an eight point lead midway through the 4th. Jack Hanley and Lawson Alwan also secured touchdown’s for the road team in the loss.

The Fighting Irish were driving with less than a minute left in the game, but couldn’t convert on points against a stout Wildcat’s defense.

WJBC’s Eric Lapan spoke with both Muhlbauer and Head Coach Nathan Fincham after the game went final.

^{Normal West Head Coach Nathan Fincham spoke with WJBC’s Eric Lapan after the the Wildcat’s 33-27 win over Peoria Notre Dame.}

^{Normal West Running Back and Lanz Underground Solution Player of the Game Cody Muhlbauer had five touchdowns in the Wildcats win. He spoke with WJBC’s Eric Lapan.}

Other final scores throughout Central Illinois in Week 9:

(1-0) U-High 64-28 Peoria Manuel (0-1)

(1-0) Central Catholic 42-7 Pontiac (0-1)

(1-0) Normal Community 55-12 Peoria Richwoods (0-1)

(1-0) Clinton 57-0 East Alton-Wood (0-1)

(1-0) Lincoln 32-0 Springfield Lanphier (0-1)

(1-0) Tolono Unity 32-13 Prairie Central (0-1)

(1-0) El-Paso Gridley 23-6 Reed Custer (0-1)

(1-0) GCMS 7-0 Ridgeview/Lexington (0-1)

(1-0) Seneca 43-2 Tremont (0-1)

(1-0) Olympia 54-40 PORTA (0-1)

(1-0) Heyworth 42-0 Fisher (0-1)

(1-0) Dee-Mack 58-28 Hamilton/Warsaw (0-1)

(1-0) Eureka 34-8 Canton (0-1)

Bloomington High/Danville and LeRoy/Central A&M both postponed their contest due to weather delays Friday night. Both games will kick-off on Saturday at 1:00.

The High School Football Extravaganza is sponsored by CEFCU.

Jake Fogal can be reached at [email protected].

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