Ironmen, Saints, Vikings clinch conference titles in football finales
Posted on October 21, 2017
Central Catholic football players celebrate after winning a share of the inaugural Illini Prairie Conference title. (Photo by Eric Stock/WJBC)
By Greg Halbleib
Normal Community, Central Catholic and Tri-Valley wrapped up conference titles as the high school football regular season came to an end for most teams on Friday.
The Illinois High School Association will announce playoff pairings Saturday night. WJBC will host the annual Playoff Pairings Show with brackets and interviews Saturday from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Sa’Mond Davis returned from a sprained ankle last week to rush for 265 yards and scored three touchdowns as the Saints defeated No. 2 Tolono Unity 35-13 to earn a share of the inaugural Illini Prairie Conference title.
Davis scored on a 9-yard run to give the Saints a 14-7 lead early in the second quarter. He would add a 1-yard plunge later in the quarter. Max Moews connected with James Morris on a pass over the middle that Morris took for 45 yards for a touchdown to give the Saints a 28-13 lead at halftime.
The Saints (8-1) controlled the line of scrimmage in the second half, totaling 336 rushing yards and 411 total yards in handing the Rockets their first loss.
Moews completed 4 of 7 passes for 75 yards and rushed for a 13-yard touchdown in the first period.
Normal Community 50, Champaign Central 21
The Ironmen offense exploded to conclude an unbeaten season with six of their touchdowns of big plays of 20 or more yards.
Nick Hesse had nearly 200 yards on the ground with five touchdowns, and Varshawn Dixon carried nine times for 121 yards including a 65-yard touchdown run.
Central attempted six passes in the first half with five of the plays ending in a sack with the remaining attempt resulting in a 10-yard loss.
Chatham Glenwood 37, U-High 36 (OT)
The teams traded scores in the final three minutes with the Pioneers (4-5) tying the contest as time expired on a seven-yard scoring pass from Doug Holmes to Mark Widdel, who also caught the U-High touchdown pass in overtime. Glenwood (7-2) scored on fourth and eight in its overtime session on a pass from Luke Lehnen to Jubbar Cross, but a celebration penalty against Cross forced the conversion attempt from the 18 yard line. Lehnen connected on the conversion pass to Jason Hansborough to end the game and the U-High season.
Tri-Valley 56, Deer Creek-Mackinaw 14
The host Vikings (8-1) clinched the Heart of Illinois Conference Large Division with a wire-to-wire win.
Zach Woodring rushed for 220 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries for the victorious Vikings. Tri-Valley’s defense forced four turnovers including a fumble and three interceptions.
Tri-Valley has won the last three match-ups over Dee-Mack after losing five in a row since the two teams joined the same conference in 2006.
El Paso-Gridley 26, Eureka 21
EPG (5-4) held on a final drive by the host Hornets (6-3). Ryne Faulk rushed for 111 yards for the victorious Titans.
Intercity
Danville 48, Bloomington 23
Normal Community 50, Champaign Central 13
Central Catholic 35, Tolono Unity 13
Chatham Glenwood 37, University High 36 (OT)
Normal West at Peoria Notre Dame, Sat. 1 p.m.
Illini Prarie
IVC 41, Olympia 20
Pontiac 35, Rantoul 6
Prairie Central 56, St. Thomas More 13
Monticello 27, St. Joseph-Ogden 24
Heart of Illinois
Fieldcrest 34, Ridgeview-Lexington 6
Tri-Valley 56, Deer Creek-Mackinaw 14
El Paso-Gridley 26, Eureka 21
Fisher 44, LeRoy 18
Tremont at FCW, Sat. 1 p.m.
GCMS at Heyworth, Sat. 1 p.m.
Big 12
Peoria Richwoods 45, Champaign Centennial 16
Urbana 42, Peoria Manual 6
Peoria High 36, Galesburg 28
Central State Eight
Sacred Heart-Griffin 63, Decatur Eisenhower 6
Decatur MacArthur 42, Springfield Lanphier 12
Springfield Southeast 19, Jacksonville 16
Rochester 49, Springfield 16
Area
Clinton 6, Meridian 3
PBL 53, Dwight 0
Blue Ridge 50, Edwardsville Metro-East Lutheran 34
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