Upcoming high school football season preview in Bloomington and Normal
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — All five intercity teams kickoff the 2022-2023 varsity football season on Friday, August 26th.
The Bloomington High School Purple Raiders coached by Scott Godfrey can best be described as 鈥測oung and hungry.鈥� Numbers are up and the team worked hard all summer. They do not have the biggest offensive line, but they are an athletic bunch. Led by quarterback Marcus Griffin, who was thrown into the mix last year as a junior, along wide receiver, Adam Beasley, the team is looking forward to their experience and leadership to be contenders in the Big 12 Conference. The Purple Raiders are looking for a winning season and have their eyes set on the playoffs. They open their season on the road at Richwoods High School. View the full schedule here: /team/high-school/bloomington-high-school-il/squad/football/schedule/
The Normal University High School Pioneers might be the most experienced team in the Central State Eight Conference as they are returning seven offensive starters and six defensive starters, led by returning quarterback, Cole Matejka and four-year starter linemen, Zach Hoffman and Isaiah Im. The culture within the program is as strong as ever. The team has bought into second-year head coach Brody Walworth鈥檚 program, are having fun together and have developed a family-like chemistry. The Pioneers have had the thrill of prepping for the season at ISU鈥檚 Hancock Stadium due to construction happening on their own practice field. The team is driven to reach the playoffs this year and to have fun doing it. The season opens at home versus Lanphier High School. View the full schedule here: /team/high-school/normal-university-high-school-il/squad/football/schedule/
At Central Catholic, the Saints are 鈥減layoff hungry.鈥� The Saints are up in numbers with 54 players, the most since Coach Kevin Braucht took over four years ago. Last year the Saints just missed the playoffs, so they this season, they are on a mission. The Saints have bought into coach鈥檚 program and the team is blessed with a little height this year with 6鈥�6鈥� quarterback, Colin Hayes and 6鈥�4鈥� receiver, Ryan Hoeferle, along with Bo Mowes catching as well. So watch for more explosiveness and a passing game this season along with a run at the playoffs. The Saints open the season on the road at Pontiac. View the full schedule here: /team/high-school/central-catholic-high-school-il/squad/football/schedule/
Normal West Wildcats made a run at the playoffs last year before ending their season 6-4. Coach Nathan Fincham is blessed with a lot of depth and skill this season as the Wildcats have many veterans back including senior quarterback, Jayden Mangruem, along with a solid sophomore group who are now juniors. The biggest challenge, but good one to have, is going to be finding places to utilize all that talent. Coach will be adding to the running game as Mangruem is mobile and is supported by many backs who can run including senior, Larell Fisher. With all of their depth and physical strength, the Wildcats have a lot of weapons and will be a contender in the Big 12. The Wildcats open at home against Champaign Central. View the full schedule here: /team/high-school/normal-west-high-school-il/squad/football/schedule/
The Ironmen at Normal Community are the defending Big 12 Champions and show no signs of letting go of that title. Coach Jason Drengwitz lost a lot from last year鈥檚 10 -1 playoff team, but have a number of players back. The Ironmen are loaded with skill talent and have some young guys who stepped up this summer to fill some gaps in the roster. The speedy and agile Ironman team is led by a couple of consistent play makers. Anywhere they get the ball, senior Chris Taylor and junior Tommy Davis can make a play happen along with Zach Ferrante at tight end, while Chase Wiese steps up as the team鈥檚 quarterback. Look for Normal Community to be one of the state鈥檚 top teams this season. The Ironmen roadtrip to O鈥橣allon Township for the season opener. View the full schedule here: /team/high-school/normal-community-high-school-il/squad/football/schedule/
Best of luck to all five Bloomington-Normal football teams this season!
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