By Greg Halbleib
An Intercity rivalry highlights the second week of local high school football.
The annual Week 2 match-up between Central Catholic and U-High takes place tonight at Hancock Stadium. Central Catholic lost a tough 10-7 opening contest at home to Washington while U-High pulled away from Urbana 38-16.
“I don’t even have to say anything about it,” said U-High coach Mike Troll about the rivalry which also carries Corn Belt Conference ramifications. “I don’t say anything about it because to me it’s just another game, but to the kids, it’s a big game.”
Central Catholic coach Mike Moews knows the Pioneers are a polished team. “They’re solid,” said Moews, “They’ve got a good defense. I thought their quarterback managed (last week’s game) well and they always have good athletes, so it should be a very good game.”
Normal Community hopes to build on a 63-31 win at Belleville East by hosting that school’s crosstown rival, Belleville West. NCHS coach Wes Temples says his opponent has an “attacking” defense. “They’re physical and they’re going to press the issue,” said Temples. “They come at you right now and they’re not going to wait. They’re going to punch you in the mouth time and again.”
Normal West hosts Belleville East after edging Belleville West in Week 1 34-30. West coach Darren Hess says the game is another excellent test for his team, which he says needs to be more productive in the red zone. “Last game we had two opportunities inside the 10 that we did not produce on,” said Hess. “We can’t give up the big play. We have to make them earn everything they have and we’ll have to get some turnovers.”
Bloomington hosts its second straight game at Fred Carlton Field as the Pekin Dragons. Both squads are 0-1, and the host Purple Raiders fell to defending Class 6A state champion LaGrange Park Nazareth Academy 34-6 in their opener. Bloomington coach Rigo Schmelzer says Pekin presents a big and physical challenge. “They have some nice receivers and they have a three-year starting tailback who was all-conference a year ago,” said Schmelzer. “Their line has great size. The question is going to be conditioning and the speed off the snap.”
Play-by-play from Hancock Stadium on the WJBC Country Financial High School Extravaganza features Central Catholic at U-High with reports from the other Intercity games every quarter hour. Pre-game begins at 6:10 with coverage continuing until 11:00. Scores can be found on the WJBC Facebook page and the special Friday night Twitter feed (@WJBCHSFootball).
Illinois State volleyball will take on Long Beach State at the Harvard Invitational in Cambrige, Mass at 3 p.m. and ISU soccer will host Eastern Michigan at 7. Listen live at WJBC.com.
The CornBelters will begin its final series of the regular season taking on the Schaumburg Boomers at the Corn Crib. Greg Halbleib will call the action at 6:30 p.m. on WJBC.com.
