Normal Community defense unravels Bloomington’s perfect season in Week 6 victory

Posted on October 4, 2024
Normal Community moves to 5-1 on the season, now playoff eligible, after beating Bloomington 44-14. (WJBC File Photo)

By Jake Fogal

BLOOMINGTON – In a clash between two intercity schools, Bloomington and Normal Community’s rivalry was renewed in Week 6 of the High School football season. Both teams have had stellar season’s as Bloomington was riding an undefeated campaign through five weeks, while Normal Community has only one blemish against a non-conference opponent earlier in the season.

Special teams plagued the Purple Raiders throughout the evening, as an injury to the punter made the contest much more difficult for BHS.

Both team’s jumped on the back of their defenses early, as neither team scored on their first possession of the game. BHS quarterback AJ Codron helped the Purple Raiders get on the board first later in the opening quarter, connecting with junior wide out Jordan Norton on a 66-yard pass for a touchdown.

Community matched the score, 7-7, after a blocked punt by Reed Hoover early in the second quarter. Jase Wilson recovered the football for the first Ironmen score of the game. NCHS’s good fortune continued in the quarter, as quarterback Kyle Beaty linked up with senior Mar’Quan Gary for a 36-yard score. Two minutes later, running back Calen Taylor found the end zone for the third Ironmen touchdown of the second quarter.

The Purple Raiders did not stay down long though, as a four minute drive to round out the first half finished with a Keyontae Hamilton touchdown from AJ Codron. Despite the score ahead of halftime, NCHS still had the lead 21-14.

Besides a safety by Bloomington, it was a quiet third quarter of play until Community senior Antonio Montoya bulldozed his way into the end zone to push the Ironmen lead to 30-14.

The Ironmen continued their success into the final 12 minutes of the game, as Beaty and Taylor both ran for touchdown’s before the clock hit zero, giving Normal Community a 44-14 victory in Week 6.

Normal Community Head Coach Jason Drengwitz and Lanz Underground Player of the Game Antonio Montoya joined WJBC’s Eric Lapan after the win over the Purple Raiders.

Normal Community took down Bloomington in Week 6 44-14. Head Coach Jason Drengwitz joined WJBC’s Eric Lapan following the game.
Senior Antonio Montoya took home the Lanz Underground Player of the Game after totaling a rushing touchdown, one sack and multiple quarterback pressures against BHS. He spoke with WJBC’s Eric Lapan.

The Ironmen improve to 5-1 on the year and 5-0 in Big 12 Conference play. Bloomington falls to 5-1 on the year and 4-1 in conference play.

Other final scores throughout Central Illinois in Week 6:

(6-0) St. Joe-Ogden 38-19 Central Catholic (3-3)

(4-2) U-High 33-13 Glenwood (5-1)

(4-2) Normal West 21-7 Waubonsie Valley (3-3)

(5-1) Tri-Valley 47-6 Clinton (4-2)

(6-0) GCMS 34-7 Tuscola (3-3)

(2-4) Fisher 28-14 Fieldcrest (1-5)

(6-0) Eureka 48-0 Ridgeview/Lexington (2-4)

(4-2) Lincoln 43-33 Decatur MacArthur (2-4)

(6-0) PBL 22-7 Prairie Central (3-3)

(2-4) Rushville 42-26 Heyworth (2-4)

(3-3) El-Paso Gridley 34-30 Shelbyville (4-2)

(3-3) Dee-Mack 50-0 Tremont (0-6)

(6-0) LeRoy 41-0 Meridian (1-5)

(6-0) New Berlin 21-14 Olympia (4-2)

The High School Football Extravaganza is sponsored by CEFCU.

Jake Fogal can be reached at [email protected].

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