By Greg Halbleib
U-High earned a win at Lanphier, Normal Community remained unbeaten and Normal West, Central Catholic, Tri-Valley and Fieldcrest were among teams clinching playoff spots in Week 7 of area high school football on Friday night.
U-High 34, Springfield Lanphier 20
Doug Holmes threw for three touchdowns and rushed for a fourth as the University High Pioneers defeated Springfield Lanphier to earn the 500th win in program history.
Jacob Hileman capped a 10-play drive for the Pioneers with a 1-yard touchdown run to give the Pioneers a 14-6 lead early in the third quarter. Holmes ran for a 10-yard score and threw a 47-yard scoring pass to Ty Ziebarth to stretch the lead to 27-6.
Holmes finished 16 of 23 passing for 223 yards and two interceptions. Holmes also ran for 65 yards on 14 carries.
Ziebarth caught six passes for 89 yards and Parker Mathieson had six receptions for 81 yards for the Pioneers (3-4) who stay in contention for a postseason berth.
Central Catholic 69, Rantoul 20
The Saints (6-1) gave many starters and regulars a rest after surging out to a decisive victory at Rantoul (2-5). Max Moews recorded 152 passing yards before sitting out the final period. Sa’Mond Davis rested as well in the fourth quarter after collecting 190 yards on the ground.
Normal Community 47, Champaign Centennial 0
NCHS (7-0) won on Homecoming night behing 154 all-purpose yards from quarterback Daylen Boddie and 75 yards rushing from Varshaun Dixon in a game played with a running clock for the entire second half in the win over the Chargers (2-5, 2-4 Big Twelve).
Normal West 56, Peoria Manual 8
The Wildcats (6-1, 5-1 Big Twelve) races out to a 28-0 lead in the first seven minutes and led 49-0 at halftime over the Rams (0-7). Genesis Forrest left the game in the first quarter with an ankle injury after scoring two touchdowns. Armani Forrest collected the game’s highlight run with a 97-yard score late in the first half. Cole Hernandez caught five passes for 119 yards.
Peoria Richwoods 27, Bloomington 20
The host Knights (4-3, 4-2 Big Twelve) converted several big plays to hold off the Purple Raiders (3-4, 2-4). T’Nahleg Hall registered 224 yards rushing for Richwoods while Bloomington quarterback Griffin Moore was 11-of-17 through the air for 184 yards and a touchdown.
Tri-Valley 34, Fisher 20
The Vikings (6-1) earned their playoff-clinching win by controlling the second half after entering the locker room at halftime tied 20-20 with the Bunnies (4-3). Zach Woodring led the victorious Vikings on Homecoming night with 174 yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries.
Deer Creek-Mackinaw 54, LeRoy 16
The Chiefs (5-2) scored six unanswered touchdowns to break open a close game in the first half to pull away from LeRoy (2-5).
PODCAST: Listen here to post-game interviews.
Intercity
Peoria Richwoods 27, Bloomington 20
Normal Community 47, Champaign Centennial 0
Normal West 56, Peoria Manual 8
Central Catholic 69, Rantoul 20
University High 34, Springfield Lanphier 20
Illini Prairie
Prarie Central 56, Olympia 12
Monticello 18, Pontiac 10
Tolono Unity 50, St. Thomas More 10
St. Joseph-Ogden 38, IVC 20
Heart of Illinois
GCMS 47, Ridgeview-Lexington 0
Tri-Valley 34, Fisher 20
Eureka 52, FCW 8
Deer Creek-Mackinaw 54, LeRoy 16
El Paso-Gridley 34, Tremont 12
Fieldcrest 47, Heyworth 0
Big 12
Peoria Notre Dame 54, Champaign Central 14
Danville 49, Peoria High 26
Lincoln 19, Urbana 12
Central State Eight
Chatam Glenwood 22, Jacksonville 10
Decatur MacArthur 45, Springfield Southeast 9
Rochester 35, Sacred Heart-Griffin 28
Decatur Eisenhower at Springfield, 2 p.m. Sat.
Area
Momence 43, Dwight 10
Shelbyville 40, Clinton 0
Streator 29, Plano 7
Lawrenceville at Blue Ridge, 2 p.m. Sat.
