News and notes about intercity football match ups

Normal West vs. Bloomington

Time: 7 p.m.

Place: Fred Carlton Field, Bloomington

Records: Normal West 5-2, 5-2 in Big 12 Conference; Bloomington 6-1, 6-1

Radio: WJBC-AM (1230)

FYI: Ranked 10th in Class 6A, BHS shoots for its sixth straight victory. BHS has lost two-way lineman Frank Ford to a season-ending knee injury. Either Eric Floyd or Joey Tyson will start at guard and Chris Love returns from an injury to provide more depth on the offensive front. Justin Zoeller will see additional action at defensive end with Ford out. West leading rusher Darius Bell missed last week's game and will not play today because of disciplinary reasons. Wildcats' quarterback Todd Albert is questionable with a thumb injury. Jordan Jefferson will start if Albert cannot.

Quoting: "Defensively, they are probably one of the fastest teams we've faced besides Normal (Community). They run to the ball really well and they're physical up front. (Stephen) Esch is an outstanding quarterback, and they have really good backs. But the best part of their offense is their receiving corps. You can't just cover one (of David Cook and Josh Mitchell) or the other will beat you." - West coach Darren Hess

"They've got a very solid defense. They're aggressive and physical up front. They proved their mettle against Community. They are more than capable of giving us a test and maybe controlling the line of scrimmage. They are a team we know is playoff caliber so it's a good test for where we're at." - BHS coach Rigo Schmelzer

Prairie Central vs. Central Catholic

Time: 7 p.m.

Place: Bill Hundman Memorial Field, Bloomington

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

Radio: WJBC-AM (1230), periodic reports

FYI: Central Catholic would claim the Corn Belt championship outright with a win, which if achieved would be the 100th in Coach Bobby Moews' tenure. The Hawks finish their Corn Belt season next week at home against Rochester. The Saints are ranked fifth in Class 4A, while Prairie Central is second. Hawks' right guard Lee Pryzbylski is sidelined with an elbow injury. Travis Heins starts in his place. Central Catholic edged Prairie Central twice last season, once in the playoffs, by a combined margin of four points.

Quoting: "They are very explosive. (Ben) Herr is a load at tailback to bring down. We've got to hit him low. They've got a good quarterback in (Jerid) Coleman. He throws the ball well and knows that offense real well. One of the things you talk about and think about at the beginning of the year is to win the conference championship. It's even better when you can do it the last (conference) game and against a good rival." - Central Catholic coach Bobby Moews.

"Their whole game is really good. Their special teams are outstanding. Their running game is good, their passing game is solid with (Kyle) Hundman and obviously their defense is stellar. They have lot of good football players, tough hard-nosed kids. Unfortunately, we were on the short end of both games (last year). Two games, four points. All these guys remember that." - Prairie Central coach Brian Hassett

Eureka vs. University High

Time: 7:45 p.m.

Place: Hancock Stadium, Normal

Records: Eureka 1-6, 1-5 in Corn Belt; U High 2-5, 1-5

Radio: WJBC-AM (1230), periodic reports

FYI: Both teams like to throw the ball. Eureka quarterback B.J. Zobrist has completed 66 of 141 for 896 yards. U High signal-callers Tyler Cook and Jake Todino have combined to go 56 of 117 for 997 yards. Linebacker Zach Zentner has been the "mainstay" of the U High defense, according to Coach Kurt Olson.

Quoting: "They probably have one of the best receivers in the area in (Dean) Eastman. He's got height, speed and great hands. They are a lot bigger than us up front so we have to try to maintain the line of scrimmage if we have any chance of winning." - U High coach Kurt Olson

"We're going to have to finally get the running game going which is something we haven't done the last two and a half weeks. Defensively, we have to tackle. We have to get things shored up on that side. U High has shown some different looks so we'll have to be disciplined on defense." - Eureka coach Kurt Barth

Decatur MacArthur vs. Normal Community

Time: 7 p.m.

Place: Normal Community High School

Records: MacArthur 2-5, 2-5 in Big 12; NCHS 7-0, 7-0

Radio: WJBC-AM (1230), periodic reports

FYI: Ranked No. 1 in Class 6A, NCHS averages 35.1 points while giving up an Pantagraph-area low 22 all season. Ironmen coach Hud Venerable said running backs Joey Anderson and Dan Moore both have been playing well of late, giving his team more threats in the backfield.

Quoting: "MacArthur is playing better. They have a very athletic defense that has played really well the last several weeks. They are very capable offensively when they put it all together. We're trying to become more consistent and improve in all facets." - NCHS coach Hud Venerable

Compiled by Randy Reinhardt