The convergence of teams from the former Sangamon Valley and Midstate conferences figured to produce a solid high school football league. But did anyone fully grasp the bear of a conference the Heart of Illinois has become in its inaugural season?

"I did," Ridgeview coach Mike Benton said. "It's good and it's bad. It's very difficult to play tough game after tough game. But it also battle tests you for the playoffs, and I hope it makes us a better team."

And that comes from the only Heart of Illinois coach to avoid a loss through six games.

Benton's Mustangs (6-0, 5-0 in the Heart of Illinois) meet LeRoy (4-2, 4-2) today in a 7 p.m. league battle at Colfax.

In another key game, GCMS (5-1, 4-1) travels to Minonk to face Fieldcrest (5-1, 4-1), also at 7 p.m.

Other title contenders are Flanagan-Woodland (4-1 in league play) and Lexington at 4-2.

"With this new conference, it's just something else," Fieldcrest coach Brett Cazalet said. "It's just the way it is. Every week you play good teams. It's good for us, no doubt."

LeRoy-Ridgeview

Ranked No. 7 in Class 1A, Ridgeview ranks ninth in the Pantagraph area in offense (30.3 points) and tied for eighth in defense (13.3).

"They are awfully big and physical. But sometimes people focus a little too much on their sheer physical size. They're also a pretty quick club, too," LeRoy coach B.J. Zeleznik said. "Their defense runs well and they're very aggressive. Offensively, they really come at you and wear on you."

Ridgeview's punishing ground attack is led by Jacob Maffett, who has rushed for 844 yards and 12 touchdowns. Tyler Harper adds 240 yards.

"To be 6-0 at this point is very impressive," said Zeleznik. "We've got to do the best we can to neutralize the line of scrimmage and allow our linebackers to fill. If our defensive line can't hold their ground it creates bubbles and we'll be in big trouble."

LeRoy's losses have come to Lexington (22-8) and Tremont (35-14).

"In our two losses, we had 11 turnovers," Zeleznik said. "Lexington and Tremont are good teams. But it's no secret why we fell in those two games. We're a pretty good football team. We think it's time this group stepped up and showed it in a big game."

The Panthers' balanced rushing attack features Kyle Samples (368 yards) and Rodney Henson (359).

"It's kind of like going from the frying pan into the fire. It's going to be tough this week," said Benton. "Especially with them coming off a tough night last Friday (against Tremont), Coach Zeleznik will have those kids ready to come at us. We're expecting a very physical game. They spread the ball out to a lot of different guys."

GCMS-Fieldcrest

GCMS is ranked No. 9 in Class 2A with Fieldcrest right behind at No. 10.

The Falcons dropped their first game of the season last week to Ridgeview, 29-14.

"They took it really hard. They take a lot of pride in what they've done and how hard they've worked," GCMS coach Mike Allen said. "They don't accept losing. It really bothers them. They want to prove something and get back on track."

Cazalet is concerned with the Falcons' running back tandem of 190-pound senior Jamie Sexton (832 yards, 10 TDs) and 225-pound senior Casey Cline (547 yards, 8 TDs).

"They are just fantastic high school running backs. They complement each other well," said Cazalet. "Cline is really bruising when he runs, and Sexton has all kinds of moves and gives you all kinds of problems when he gets outside."

Fieldcrest rebounded from a 35-14 loss to Lexington on Sept. 22 to edge Flanagan, 21-15, in overtime last week.

"When we played Lexington, we faced some adversity and didn't respond very well," Cazalet said. "We showed a little resilience and mental toughness (against Flanagan) and found a way to win the game."

Josh North is the Knights' leading rusher at 617 yards and 11 scores. Jake Martin adds 398 yards on the ground, while Jordan Krone has passed for 636 yards.

"They are a tremendously aggressive team," said Allen. "They bring it. Their (line)backers are blitzing all the time."

Both teams rank in the area's top 10 in both offense and defense. GCMS scores 34.5 points per game and gives up 14.3. Fieldcrest surrenders 9.5 points and produces 30.5.

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Playoff picture

Pantagraph area high school teams that have clinched or can clinch playoff berths with victories tonight:

Already in

Normal Community, Central Catholic, Prairie Central, Ridgeview

A win and in

Bloomington, GCMS, Fieldcrest, Flanagan-Woodland