By Jake Fogal
NORMAL – The top two teams of the Big 12 Conference squared off in the final week of the 2024 regular season Friday night. Normal Community hosted Peoria at Dick Tharp Field in Week 9, and with both programs already securing postseason spots, focus was pointed towards a conference title.
The Lions received the opening kickoff and found success against the stout Ironmen defense. Junior Jaylon Radford scored on a short scramble to give the away team an early lead. It wasn’t long for NCHS to bounce back, as Calen Taylor found the end zone the following drive.
Peoria started moving the ball through the air in the second quarter, as quarterback Breon Green connected on a 38-yard pass with senior Spencer Russell to take back the lead, 12-6.
Ironmen quarterback Kyle Beaty got hot as well in the second quarter, throwing two touchdowns, both going to senior wide receiver Mar’Quan Gary
Neither team could find success on extra points, as the first four attempts resulted in zero points. Normal Community held the lead entering the second half 19-12.
Senior Jase Wilson kept the ball rolling for NCHS on the opening kickoff of the third quarter, returning an onside kick attempt by the Lions for 40 yards and a touchdown. Taylor added another touchdown to his stat line, before Peoria quarterback Green scampered for a long run for a score to round out the third quarter.
The Community defense managed to keep the Lions at bay despite the score by Green. Back-up running back Cole Kretsinger finished the night off for the Ironmen with a catch from Beaty to score the sixth touchdown of the night.
Kyle Beaty was named the Lanz Underground Player of the Game after a four touchdown performance as the Ironmen won 40-18. He spoke with WJBC’s Eric Lapan after the game.
Community with the win moves to 8-1 to round out the regular season. Ironmen Head Coach Jason Drengwitz joined Lapan following the win.
IHSA playoff pairings will be released via IHSA.org Saturday at 8 p.m. The eight class bracket release will also be available for viewing on local television stations across Central Illinois.
Other final scores throughout Central Illinois in Week 9:
*(7-2) Normal West 64-0 Urbana (0-9)
*(7-2) Bloomington 35-20 Champaign Centennial (4-5)
*(7-2) U-High 70-6 Springfield Lanphier (0-9)
(5-4) Prairie Central 20-14 Central Catholic (5-4)
*(6-4) Jacksonville 51-21 Lincoln (4-5)
(3-6) Heyworth 34-30 Fieldcrest (1-8)
*(9-0) LeRoy 55-0 Fisher (2-7)
*(8-1) Tri-Valley 69-6 Tremont (0-9)
*(8-1) Eureka 27-0 Shelbyville *(6-3)
*(6-3) El-Paso Gridley 21-14 Clinton (4-5)
*(6-3) Olympia 66-44 Auburn (2-7)
(1-8) Pontiac 20-14 Civic Memorial (2-7)
*(8-1) GCMS 43-7 Central A&M (5-4)
(5-4) Dee-Mack 30-8 Ridgeview/Lexington (2-7)
Teams labeled with an asterisk have clinched a spot in the 2024 playoffs. Five win teams are playoff eligible, and have no guarantee of making a postseason berth.
The High School Football Extravaganza is sponsored by CEFCU.
Jake Fogal can be reached at [email protected].
