JEFF WISEMAN
EUREKA - While the winner of Friday's showdown will not clinch the outright Heart of Central Illinois Conference's large division crown, they will take a huge step toward it.
Tri-Valley (6-1, 5-0) invades McCollum Field to battle Eureka (7-0, 5-0) with a 7 p.m. kickoff. The Vikings arrive on a five-game win streak. They operate out of the spread and feature senior back Cole Klein, who has rushed for 621 yards and averaged over 11 per attempt. A season ago, he gained 227 yards and scored four touchdowns in T-V's 52-26 triumph at McCollum.
"They are good being committed to running downhill," Hornets' coach Jason Bachman said. "They have good linemen up front who can block. We have to be able to control their run game."
Klein and senior wideout Cade Danko missed the first two games due to injury. That includes the lone setback of 41-14 to host and former co-op partner LeRoy in week two. Since then, the Vikings have outscored their opposition 232-46, as they wrapped up a postseason berth this past week.
People are also reading... Week 7 high school football scores for Central Illinois Northern Illinois woman identified in fatal McLean County crash Bloomington tent camp cleared; long-term solution still needed to help the unhoused Vote for the Pantagraph's Week 7 High School Player of the Week After 25 years, Brian Thede says goodbye to Twin City Baseball Lyle Duane "Duane" Yockey Barbara Ann Hood Painted Tree Boutique to open in Bloomington William Edward "Bill" Peterson Robert "Bob" Berdell Bielfeldt Bloomington Barnes & Noble booksellers, baristas walk out amid stalled contract negotiations Eureka rallies around 14-year-old severely injured in ATV accident Normal Community's Kyle Beaty part of family quarterback tradition Bloomington Knockers mark 67-year history with Saturday homecoming celebration John Rave knocking on the door of Major League Baseball at Triple A
T-V uses a 4-3 scheme on defense, as 41 of the 103 points they've allowed came to the Panthers. Klein is a linebacker, while Danko and fellow senior Lucas Filarski are in the secondary.
They'll face a Hornets' offense that has scored 45 or more points in three contests and 248 on the season.
"They fly around to the football and do a good job of making plays," Bachman mentioned. "If we can control them up front, we can have success. We also have to be multi-dimensional...being able to run and pass. They have the ability to take one of those away."
According to Bachman, the Vikings were the more physical squad in the matchup 363 days ago. That along with gang tackling on defense are what the Eureka coach sees as the keys to the game.
"If we can swarm to the ball, play tough and aggressive," he mentioned. "We did not do that last year. They pushed us around. Two years ago, we played them over there (Downs) in the rain and it came down one possession (a 6-0 T-V win). I do not expect either team pulling away. I expect it to be a war."
Bachman added senior Mason Stoller (fractured hand) is expected to return after a four-game absence.
Josh Roop is in his 18th season as coach of the Vikings and has a 144-46 record. T-V started 2023 10-0 before they lost 42-14 on the road to eventual champ Wilmington in round two of the 2A playoffs. The Vikings lead the all-time series with Eureka 5-3.
Notes: T-V has won three of the four games held at McCollum. Klein (tight end), Danko (secondary) and Filarski (secondary) were sophomore starters on the '22 squad that lost 29-22 in the 2A final to Decatur St. Teresa. On occasion, Klein will line up in the wildcat formation in third or fourth down situations as well as around the goal line. The Hornets have outscored three foes to venture to McCollum by a combined 97-8.
Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0
Be the first to know
Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy.