Previews of Friday night's high school football games involving Bloomington, Central Catholic, Normal Community, Normal West and University High.

Click on team names to view previous results, statistics and standings.

Bloomington

vs.

Champaign Centennial

Time: 7 p.m.

Place: Bloomington

Records: BHS 3-3, 3-3 in Big 12 Conference; Centennial 4-2, 4-2

Radio: WJBC-AM (1230)

FYI: BHS seeks to avoid its first three-game losing streak since 1985. The task against Centennial will be corralling star tailback Mikel Leshoure, who has rushed for 769 yards and nine touchdowns. Rayvonte Rice has added 469 yards and six TDs. BHS will have senior offensive lineman Deonte Person for the first time this season. Person is wearing a cast to protect a thumb which sustained ligament damage in the preseason. He will play guard instead of his usual center spot.

Quoting: "It's exciting to see that kind of talent (Leshoure) on the field, and you hope the kids can rise to the occasion and slow him down. He's going to get his yards. We have to try to keep him out of the end zone and play solid D." - BHS coach Rigo Schmelzer

---

Central Catholic

vs.

Pontiac

Time: 7 p.m.

Place: Bloomington

Records: Central 6-0, 6-0 in Corn Belt Conference; Pontiac 5-1, 4-1

Radio: WTRX-FM (93.7)

FYI: Central, ranked No. 3 in Class 4A, would clinch a share of the Corn Belt championship with a win, while Pontiac looks to keep its title hopes alive. The Indians are paced by quarterback Michael Panno, who has thrown for 772 yards and 10 touchdowns. Central tailback Ryan Waldron has 956 yards rushing and 13 TDs. The Saints will be without top receiver Javier Safford (hamstring) for the second straight week.

Quoting: "(Pontiac) is a very good team, and it all starts with their quarterback. We have to keep him contained and not let him get on the outside. He's fast and quick and he has a good arm." - Central coach Bobby Moews

---

Normal Community

vs.

Decatur Eisenhower

Time: 7 p.m.

Place: Normal

Records: NCHS 6-0, 6-0 in Big 12 Conference; Eisenhower 0-6, 0-6.

FYI: NCHS is coming off an inspired 38-0 win over rival Normal West. The No. 1-ranked Ironmen shoot for their 21st straight win against an Eisenhower team which has been outscored 251-33. NCHS will be without senior fullback/defensive back Joey Anderson (hip). He is expected back next week. Sophomore Sterling Sallade will start in Anderson's place on defense, and senior Austin Davis will be at fullback.

Quoting: "We want to finish strong and control our own destiny (in the Big 12). We just want to keep our focus. We have a group of kids who seem to come ready to play every Friday night. I would like to think we'll play as hard as we did last Friday." - NCHS coach Hud Venerable

Normal West

vs.

Urbana

Time: 7 p.m.

Place: Normal

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

FYI: Normal West celebrates homecoming as it seeks to rebound from its loss to NCHS. Urbana has scored 12 points all season while giving up 235. West struggled in a 23-7 win last year at Urbana, the week after losing to NCHS. A win could secure the Wildcats a fourth straight playoff berth.

Quoting: "The theme for the week has been we have to regroup and move on. The biggest thing is we didn't want to dwell on it (the loss to NCHS). We also talked about last year. We had a letdown against Urbana and we lost Todd (quarterback Todd Albert). It was kind of a flat game." - Normal West coach Darren Hess

University High

vs.

Rantoul

Time: 7:45 p.m.

Place: Hancock Stadium, Normal

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

FYI: U High hopes to move closer to its first playoff berth since 2003. A win would give the Pioneers their first three-game win streak since 2004. The difference could be defense. U High has allowed 89 points, while Rantoul has surrendered 238. It could be a big night for U High tailback Sean Hastings, who has 658 yards rushing, five TDs and an 11.0 average per carry.

Quoting: "They're big up front and they have some speed. This is one team we're not faster than. We have to control the line of scrimmage and get helmets to their ball carriers. Offensively, we need to control the line and establish a ground game again." - U High coach Kurt Olson