By Greg Halbleib
Central Catholic plays the only Intercity road football game on Friday, but the trip is only a few miles as Olympia hosts the Saints in the featured match-up of the WJBC Country Financial High School Extravaganza.
The host Spartans (1-2) are trying to bounce back from a 47-14 loss at Mahomet-Seymour last week while the Saints (2-1) rolled over Eureka in Week 3. Central Catholic coach Mike Moews anticipates a battle in the Corn Belt Conference game.
“Regardless of their record, it is always a dogfight with those guys,” said Moews. “It’s going to be a tough game. (Olympia is) 1-2 and they didn’t expect to be 1-2 at this point, so they’re certainly going to be hungry.”
U-High (2-1) hosts Eureka (0-3) at Hancock Stadium. U-High coach Mike Troll says his Pioneers’ run defense will be tested.
“They’re going to want to run the football and they’re big up front so they’re going to try to push us around,” said Troll. “I think speed-wise we match up well, but they’ve got some linemen who have good size and come off the football very well, and that’s what we’re going to have to stop.”
Normal West (1-2) steps out of Big 12 Conference play to host Grayslake North (2-1). The game has been moved up to a 6 p.m. kickoff. The host Wildcats are trying to bounce back from a 35-14 Chili Bowl loss to Normal Community. West coach Darren Hess has been pleased with the Wildcats’ passing game, but this week’s preparation has been on the run.
“You don’t want to be one-sided from an offensive perspective,” said Hess. “That’s always been something that we want to do. I think we’ll definitely get better each game and that’s definitely a goal of ours.”
Bloomington searches for its first win after a narrow 44-34 loss at LaSalle-Peru last week as they host tradition-rich Peoria Richwoods for Homecoming. The Knights also comes into Fred Carlton Field at 0-3.
“On the defensive side, it’s a new challenge for us with a 3-5 (from Richwoods),” said Purple Raiders coach Rigo Schmelzer. “We have seen a similar alignment in one of our first three opponents, but they do it a little different.”
District 87 and Bloomington High School Hall of Fame honorees will be recognized between the first and second quarters.
Friday’s activities begin with a Homecoming game at Normal Community as the Ironmen host Peoria Manual (0-3) in a 6 p.m. kick-off. The 3-0 Ironmen are seeking a 19th straight Big 12 Conference win against a new league foe.
“It’s almost like playoffs in that all the Peoria teams are ones we’ve not seen,” said Ironmen coach Wes Temples. “It’s exciting because it’s new.”
The WJBC Country Financial High School Extravaganza begins at 6:10 p.m. with updates on each game every quarter hour and post-game coverage until 11 p.m. Scores can be found on the WJBC Facebook page and the special Friday Twitter feed (@WJBCHSFootball, #WJBCHSFB).
The Illinois State soccer and volleyball teams are both on WJBC.com. The soccer team plays Western Michigan a 4 p.m. The volleyball squad visits Dayton in the Flyer Invitational at 6 p.m.
