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Something new for BHS, something old for NCHS
By Jim Benson
jbenson@pantagraph.com
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Normal Community High School's football team is well aware of tonight's Class 6A first-round playoff opponent. Bloomington can't say the same. NCHS probably would like to be in the Purple Raiders' situation.

"It's great to look at new faces and schemes. It gets the kids' juices flowing," said BHS coach Rigo Schmelzer.

Top-ranked NCHS (9-0) is home to meet Big 12 Conference rival Danville (5-4) for the second straight week, while No. 8 BHS (8-1) entertains Ottawa (5-4) at Fred Carlton Field. Pantagraph files dating back to 1934 show BHS and Ottawa have never played.

Both games start at 7 p.m.

NCHS-Danville



The Ironmen completed their first undefeated regular season and claimed their first undisputed Big 12 title since 1999 by going to Danville last week and earning a 35-12 victory.

NCHS coach Hud Venerable said he has never played the same opponent in back-to-back weeks during his career.

"We thought it might happen and were prepared just in case," said Venerable.

The Ironmen, seeded No. 1 in the 6A lower bracket, only led Danville 21-12 going into the fourth quarter before putting the game away with two touchdowns. NCHS knows exactly where it can improve on last week's performance.

"Marcus Williams is a big-time player who hurt us," said Venerable of the Vikings' speedy junior wide receiver. "He got deep on us and they even pitched it to him on a kickoff return. We have to do a better job defending him as well as some others."

Williams caught five passes for 125 yards against the Ironmen, running his season totals to 34 receptions for 715 yards and five touchdowns.

Danville quarterback Cody Zeigler has completed 95 of 206 attempts for 1,609 yards and 13 TDs, while Reginald Cloyd has gained 874 yards rushing.

Zeigler and Cloyd are also juniors, so the 16th-seeded Vikings have a head start on 2007 after going 1-8 last season.

"Our kids feel we gave Normal a good football game. We had a couple dropped balls that could have made it closer, and against a team like Normal you can't do that," said second-year Danville coach B.J. Luke. "You have to make every key play and put yourself in position to be successful.

"Those guys (at NCHS) have done it for awhile and understand what it takes to win. Our kids are in the processing of learning that."

NCHS junior Austin Davis, who has focused more on defense this season after rushing for 1,162 yards last year, ran for three touchdowns last week. Quarterback Omar Clayton has thrown for 861 yards and also is the Ironmen's leading rusher with 426 yards.

The Ironmen's ultimate goal all season has been returning to the 6A championship game after losing 14-9 to Morris last year. The start of the playoffs has been noticeable to Venerable.

"They've picked it up" in practice this week, he said.

NCHS could get a rematch against Morris next week. The Ironmen would play the winner of the 10th-ranked Joliet Catholic-Morris game in the second round.

BHS-Ottawa



These teams have entirely different playoff traditions.

The fourth-seeded Raiders are making their 20th straight playoff appearance. Ottawa, the No. 13 seed and a member of the NCIC Conference, is in the playoffs for the first time since 2002.

Ottawa might feel better about pulling an upset if it hadn't lost four starters, including fullback Brad Wignes (507 yards), to injuries during last week's 28-6 loss to Moline. First-year Ottawa coach Trent Swords said those four players are all doubtful for tonight's game.

"It's tough, but that's the game of football. That's why you tell the second-stringers and backups to be prepared," said Swords. "You never know when your opportunity is going to come. We play in a tough, physical conference so we're used to it. We have to be ready and not dwell on 'What if we had him or him.' "

The Pirates are primarily a running team. They like to use Drew Thomas, who has gained 1,048 yards rushing on 142 carries, on what Schmelzer calls a "jet sweep" where Thomas comes in motion from the wing.

Ottawa quarterback Ryan Schueller has completed 26 of 68 attempts for 306 yards with only one TD pass and nine interceptions.

"They don't look comfortable throwing," said Schmelzer. "They're physical up front. Defensively, we'll have to be well schooled."

BHS presents a more balanced offensive attack. Quarterback Stephen Esch has thrown for 907 yards and 11 TDs, with Josh Mitchell (27 receptions, 350 yards, 4 TDs) and David Cook (17-431-5) his big-play threats. Sophomore Darrelynn Dunn ran for 162 yards in BHS' 34-14 victory over Decatur Eisenhower last week, upping his season total to 629.

"They have some very talented skill-position players and obviously it draws your attention," said Swords. "We've only seen two games on tape against Normal West and Champaign Centennial and those were very close games. In both those games, defensively they played extremely well."

The winner faces Blue Island Eisenhower or Dolton Thornridge in next week's second round.



Games today



CLASS 1A



Stark County at Lexington, 7 p.m.

Fisher at Tuscola, 7 p.m.

LeRoy at Arthur, 7 p.m.

CLASS 6A



Danville at NCHS, 7 p.m.

Ottawa at BHS, 7 p.m.

Get area high school sports scores and statistics at Varsity Sports.

Take a look
Normal Community's Kirkland Grant, top left, and his teammate Cam Mcintosh, bottom right, sandwich Bloomington's Darian Davis as he tries to hold onto the ball during their Oct. 1 game at Hancock Stadium in Normal. (Pantagraph/B Mosher)
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Reader comments on this story - 15 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

48-7 Yeah Baby wrote on Oct 27, 2006 9:56 PM:

" Read it and weep, critics! Minutemen Rock! Go Lexington Minutemen! Go Purp! "

Lexington wrote on Oct 27, 2006 4:57 PM:

" MINUTEMEN! Go Purp! "

IronFan wrote on Oct 27, 2006 4:46 PM:

" I hope that the best team wins state. If it is Normal, Normal West, BHS or even the Catholic School that is so famous, so be it. I just hope that the games are well played. "

To: To Iron Fan wrote on Oct 27, 2006 4:14 PM:

" Come on now, don't be so sour to this "other person" that you are fighting with in (of all things) a commented article in the Pantagraph. The Ironmen are a STRONG, HEADSTRONG, and MOTIVATED TEAM, just like last year, they want to go to the top again this year and come out with 1st place trophy, just like any other team would want to. These young men have dreams, and if they keep on the same path it's a good posibility that they'll make it. The only reason us "ironfans" want to play Morris is because they lost (barely) to them in the championship game...which the guess-ti-mation...was suppose to be a blowout...So, next time you start talking like that, why don't you take a step back and respect these young men who are working so hard. "

TO Iron Fan wrote on Oct 27, 2006 3:37 PM:

" No! I didn't miss the last three Iron wins over BHS. I also Didn't miss the the last 9 Raider Wins over the Ironmen. So tell me again Who's overrated?! Shoot even a Blind Squirel finds a nut once and a while!!! "

TO Iron fan... wrote on Oct 27, 2006 3:24 PM:

" The only reason you hope to play Morris again is you know that Normal will not and can not stand up next to a catholic team. I hope you guys meet JC in the 2nd round because everyone knows that you have a easy team the first round because the IHSA wouldn't put up with you having to actually fight your way into the 2nd round. "

GO IRON!!! wrote on Oct 27, 2006 2:15 PM:

" WE LOVE YOU JAKE!!! GO IRON! "

Love those guys! wrote on Oct 27, 2006 2:00 PM:

" Go IRON!!!! You can do it! "

IronFan wrote on Oct 27, 2006 1:53 PM:

" I guess that BHS must be overrated also if the Iron are overrated. Evidently you have missed the last three Iron victories over the Raiders. "

Drew wrote on Oct 27, 2006 12:42 PM:

" IRONMEN are overrated.... And Pontiac??? Where is that??? Saturday will be coach Petes last hurrah.... "

Iron Fan wrote on Oct 27, 2006 11:57 AM:

" I hope that Morris beats JC and the Ironmen get another shot at showing Morris what Central Illinois football is really like. Whithout Dergo Morris is nothing. This year Morris is only 6-3 and the Ironmen are 9-0 baby. Go Iron! "

Iron Fan wrote on Oct 27, 2006 11:53 AM:

" Iron! Iron! Iron! GO IRONMEN! "

WIN wrote on Oct 27, 2006 10:18 AM:

" GO PONTIAC , WE ARE IN THE PLAYOFFS TO EVEN IF WE LIVE OUTSIDE OF BLOOMINGTON/NORMAL "

BHS ATC wrote on Oct 27, 2006 10:09 AM:

" Good luck to my athletes. We're playing OTHS, which is where I graduated from, but GO RAIDERS!! "

86 Raider wrote on Oct 27, 2006 8:44 AM:

" Go Raiders! Might have to take some time tonight to see them play. Good Luck! "
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