Notes for Intercity games scheduled for Oct. 6

Normal Community vs. Decatur Eisenhower

Time: 7 p.m.

Place: Decatur Eisenhower High School

Records: Normal Community 6-0, 6-0 in Big 12 Conference; Eisenhower 0-6, 0-6

Radio: WJBC-AM (1230), periodic reports

FYI: NCHS, No. 1 in the Class 6A state rankings, is coming off its closest game of the season, a 14-7 victory over Normal West. Tailback Dan Moore returns to the Ironmen lineup after missing last week with an illness. Senior Anthony Guevara has moved from tackle to center for the Ironmen in place of Derek Logue, who could be out for the season with an ankle injury. Eisenhower is coming off a 50-12 loss to Danville. The Panthers' best chance of a win came in a 16-15 loss to Champaign Central three weeks ago.

Quoting: "We're still trying to win the conference championship and the fact we're in the driver's seat now means a lot. Our kids value the conference championship and don't want to share it. I don't sense us overlooking any conference foe. We've got three weeks to get ready for the playoffs. We have time to stabilize and solidify all the way across the board." - NCHS coach Hud Venerable

Bloomington vs. Champaign Centennial

Time: 7 p.m.

Place: Champaign Centennial High School

Records: Bloomington 5-1, 5-1 Big 12 Conference; Centennial 5-1, 5-1

Radio: WJBC-AM (1230)

FYI: Unless Normal Community stumbles the final three weeks, this game should determine second place in the Big 12 Conference and carry major playoff implications. Bloomington won its fourth straight game last week with a convincing 44-10 victory over Mattoon. BHS is averaging 37.8 points during its winning streak. The Purple Raiders' defense must stop Centennial's Mikel Leshoure, a 6-foot-2, 215-pound junior tailback who has rushed for 1,363 yards with a 9.7-yard per carry average and 18 touchdowns.

Quoting: "They have good size, obviously a great tailback and a solid defense. It's a program that has tradition, limits their mistakes and takes advantage of their assets. He (Leshoure) has shifty moves and is a young man who gets up to speed very fast. We've had a good week of practice and our (offensive) linemen are confident in what we're doing. Time will tell. We're facing a big front this week and against Normal West next week." - BHS coach Rigo Schmelzer

Normal West vs. Urbana

Time: 7 p.m.

Place: Urbana High School

Records: Normal West 4-2, 4-2 in Big 12 Conference; Urbana 0-6, 0-6

Radio: WJBC-AM (1230), periodic reports

FYI: Normal West tries to bounce back from last week's hard-fought 14-7 loss to Normal Community. Mitch Bauman caught his first touchdown pass of the season last week for the Wildcats' only score. West's defense held high-powered NCHS scoreless the last three quarters. Urbana beat Danville 35-34 in the season opener, but had to forfeit the game for using an ineligible player.

Quoting: "We've talked to our kids that Urbana's seniors only have three games left and they have nothing to lose. This is their season. They're talented enough that they can beat anybody. Last Friday gave us an idea what we can do against good football teams. I hope we can build on it. I was proud of our effort. We know we took a step forward, but there's nothing like getting a 'W.' " - West coach Darren Hess

Central Catholic vs. Pontiac

Time: 7:45 p.m.

Place: Williamson Field, Pontiac

Records: Central Catholic 6-0, 6-0 in Corn Belt Conference; Pontiac 4-1, 4-1

Radio: WTRX-FM (93.7)

FYI: The next two weeks will be Corn Belt Conference showdowns for Central Catholic, which is No. 5 in the Class 4A state rankings. The Saints are home against unbeaten Prairie Central next Friday. Pontiac, ranked No. 6 in Class 4A, knows it must win tonight to stay in the league race. Two of the area's best running backs will be on display with Central Catholic's Ryan Waldron (844 yards, 14 TDs) and Pontiac's Kendrique Coats (765 yards, 9 TDs). Unless these teams met in the playoffs this will be the final game in this spirited rivalry for Pontiac coach Mick Peterson, who is retiring at season's end. Peterson is 11-7 against the Saints.

Quoting: "They have a lot of speed and quickness. They'll even admit they're not very big, but it's a typical Pontiac team that will get after you and play hard and do all the right things. We have to keep Coats inside of us and not let him get outside. I don't think we have anyone who can catch him. Each week we're trying to get ourselves better. Last week we struggled with blocking in the line. We've worked this week to shore that up." - Central Catholic coach Bobby Moews

"I'm impressed with their defense. They're playing with a great deal of confidence. Because of that, they're dictating tempo. If they do that against us, we'll be in trouble. We have to do something to get them out of their rhythm. They have a great line and with the speed of their linebackers they can run around and make plays." - Pontiac coach Mick Peterson

University High vs. Rantoul

Time: 7:45 p.m.

Place: Rantoul High School

Records: University High 2-4, 1-4 Corn Belt Conference; Rantoul 1-5, 1-4

Radio: WJBC-AM (1230), periodic reports

FYI: University High stayed alive in the playoff hunt by snapping a four-game losing streak with a 31-0 nonconference victory last week at Sherrard. The Pioneers' defense held Sherrard to 148 yards while posting their second shutout of the season. U High junior fullback-linebacker Trevor Rappa (knee) and sophomore tackle Dillon Sloneker (foot) are out. Rantoul's only victory was a 15-13 win over Olympia in the second week. The Eagles, who are celebrating their homecoming, have been held to seven or less points in four games.

Quoting: "Rantoul has played several tough opponents. We saw them earlier in the year against Rochester and on film the last two weeks. I can definitely see a huge improvement in their play. They're playing a lot faster. It will be a tough game for us." - U High coach Kurt Olson

Compiled by Jim Benson