NORMAL - Three Normal Community High School football players figure to be on the sidelines next season with a Division I or I-AA college team.

They insist the future can wait.

"I don't really think about it unless people ask me," said NCHS quarterback Omar Clayton. "I keep my focus on what we're doing right now, which is winning games."

Clayton, wide receiver Marcus King and linebacker/tight end Jake Detmers have made unofficial recruiting visits on Saturdays this fall. But their main focus has been on Friday nights and producing an undefeated regular season, winning an undisputed Big 12 Conference championship and capturing a Class 6A state title.

Tonight, the first two goals can be accomplished.

NCHS, which has been No. 1 in the Class 6A state rankings since the season's second week, travels to face Danville at 7 o'clock in the regular-season finale. The Ironmen are 8-0 overall and in the league.

"The conference championship is one thing we don't want to share this year," said King. "After having the season we had last year going 8-1 and not having the conference championship for yourself (tying with Bloomington), it wasn't a good feeling."

The Ironmen felt good last year when they advanced to the Class 6A championship game at the University of Illinois. But a 14-9 loss to Morris left them eager to try again.

"Our goal has been to win the state championship," said Detmers. "We're all a close-knit group. Hopefully we'll be together five more weeks."

NCHS is glad Clayton has been together with them this fall.

Clayton transferred back to NCHS after two seasons at Plano East High School in Texas. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound Clayton has proven to be an adept passer (62 of 103, 808 yards, 10 touchdowns) and runner (406 yards, seven TDs). His ability to go left and throw with accuracy has left opposing coaches scratching their heads.

But there's more to Clayton's game than that.

"He's a terrific leader, one of the best we've had," said 13th-year NCHS coach Hud Venerable. "He does it by example and verbally. He's an excellent communicator. He has a lot of charisma."

Clayton will make an unofficial visit to Purdue this week. He's already gone to Wisconsin. He doesn't plan to make official visits until next semester. Clayton wants to play quarterback in college, although he knows changing positions "is a possibility."

After two years in Texas, which included a second-round playoff loss last year to the eventual state champions, Clayton has found "huge differences" in the two states.

After all, "Friday Night Lights" wasn't written about Illinois.

"The only thing that's really similar is that it's still football," he said. "The town pulling sections are so much bigger (in Texas) because of the area and how many athletes they produce each year and the crowds and the stadiums. Everything is just a lot bigger when it comes to high school football in Texas."

Well, maybe not the receivers.

The 6-4 King and Clayton quickly formed a bond during summer camps that has continued during the season. King has caught 24 passes for 305 yards and five TDs.

"We just know each other," said King. "I know where he's going to put the ball and he knows where I'm going to be at all times."

"It's a great comfort level, like a safety valve," said Clayton of having a gifted tall receiver. "You've got to know where to go and put it up to him. If he doesn't make the catch, which he usually does, he'll knock it down."

At one time, King thought his future would be on the basketball court. He said Venerable began convincing him football would be the best choice for him. King went to Naperville Central as a freshman before transferring to NCHS.

King has taken unofficial visits to Illinois State, Northern Illinois, Eastern Illinois and Purdue. He said a decision could be made, after the NCHS season, before taking an official visit.

Detmers will head to Muncie, Ind., to watch Ball State play Saturday. He's also been to Northern Illinois. The 6-4, 210-pound Detmers switched from safety, where he started for two years, to outside linebacker this season.

"That's where most colleges are looking at me," said Detmers. "It's not exactly natural, but I think my size best fits the position."

Venerable said Detmers grew out of the safety spot.

"Physically he's so much bigger we had to get him closer to the line," he said. "He's really had a solid year."

Detmers also has caught four passes for 38 yards and a touchdown while seeing part-time duty at tight end. Personal stats, like his college choice, are taking a backseat to Detmers.

"It's more about the team than me right now," he said.