Intercity high school football previews

Friday, October 12, 2007 8:22 PM CDT

Previews of games involving Normal Community, Central Catholic and University High

NCHS vs. Decatur MacArthur

Time: 7 p.m. today

Place: Decatur

Records: NCHS 7-0, 7-0 in Big 12 Conference; MacArthur 1-6, 1-6.

FYI: Ranked No. 1 in Class 6A, the Ironmen shoot for their 22nd straight victory. … NCHS fullback-defensive back Joey Anderson (hip) likely will sit out a second straight game. Sterling Sallade will replace Anderson on defense with Austin Davis again playing fullback. … Linebacker Rhys Shaffer is out with an ankle injury. Anthony Shine will start in his place.

Quoting: “They are a dangerous team. They put 34 on the board last week against Danville. They have weapons and speed always concerns you. Defensively, we still need to solidify versus inside running plays. And we will continue to work on our pass protection .” — NCHS coach Hud Venerable

University vs. Eureka

Time: 7:30 p.m. today

Place: Eureka

Records: U High 4-3, 3-3 in Corn Belt Conference; Eureka 3-4, 2-4

FYI: U High is gunning for its fourth straight victory, which would give the Pioneers the five wins necessary to qualify for the playoffs. … The U High defense has given up just 20 points during the winning streak. … Sean Hastings paces the Pioneers with 826 yards rushing and 11.6 yards per carry. … Eureka quarterback Sam Durley is averaging 30 passes and has thrown for 1,099 yards. … Wes Schmidgall is the top Hornets’ receiver with 25 catches for 488 yards.

Quoting: “Eureka will bring a great crowd and they’re much improved. They play hard, they’re big up front and they have a lot of athleticism. It will be a battle. We have to be ready from the opening whistle.” — U High coach Kurt Olson

Central Catholic vs.

Prairie Central

Time: 7:45 p.m. today

Place: Fairbury

Records: Central 7-0, 7-0 in Corn Belt Conference; Prairie Central 0-7, 0-6

Radio: WTRX, 93.7 FM

FYI: Already assured of a share of the Corn Belt championship, Central Catholic tries to complete its first undefeated conference season since 1991. … Ranked third in Class 4A, the Saints close the regular season Oct. 19 at home against Springfield. … Central Catholic receiver Javier Safford likely will play in a limited role after missing the past two games with a hamstring injury. … Tailback-linebacker Ryan Waldron is unlikely to play because of a hip pointer. Waldron will be replaced by Pat McNeil on offense and Brendan McCracken on defense.

Quoting: “That (undefeated in the Corn Belt) would be a big feather in our caps. That’s something I’m not sure a lot of other people thought we could do. We’ve got one more to go and we can’t overlook it. They (Prairie Central) have some good athletes. For whatever reason, it hasn’t clicked for them this year.” — Central coach Bobby Moews

Compiled by Randy Reinhardt

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