It's Homecoming as Hawks look to qualify for postseason
FAIRBURY — It's Homecoming Week at Prairie Central, which makes things leading up to the football game a possible distraction. What can help the Hawks remain on an even keel? How about the fact they can qualify for the playoffs with a victory over Illinois Valley Central at Lewis Field?
Yep, the seventh-ranked Hawks can put their name in the hat for a playoff bid with a win against the Grey Ghosts. Prairie Central will bring its 4-0 record into the contest against 0-4 IVC.
“I'd argue that IVC might be the best 0-4 team in the state,” Quain said Wednesday. “Last year, they played us in a real tight game and went on to win their last four games. I think they re trying to stay alive for a possible playoff hunt. We're on the other side of it, we're trying to become playoff eligible.”
It likely hasn't been the easiest of weeks to prepare for IVC because of the other distraction that take place during Homecoming Week. Quain and his staff tried to keep the players' focused on the task at hand by emphasizing that the dance is on Saturday, after Friday's game. He said the Hawks need to get through the game first.
In focusing on IVC, Prairie Central is also looking at the future. A win does get the Hawks into the playoff picture, although a spot in the postseason isn't guaranteed until the sixth win of the season.
“We have to start embracing the target,” Quain said. “Every week, I think people are wanting to knock us off. We're trying to have that Joe Madden saying of 'embrace the target.'
“It's important to us and the team's goal of winning a conference championship to take care of business each and every week.”
IVC gave the Hawks fits last year in Chillicothe where PC won 12-7. It's hard to say how different things will be this time around until the teams take the field, but Prairie Central will be looking to get on a roll early.
“It would be nice to get that explosion of points in the first quarter and make the team one-dimensional a little sooner,” Quain said. “If we can play with a lead, with our offense we like our chances to hold that lead.”
Quain said the Ghosts are able to run and pass well. He feels another tight game like last year is possible if they find a rhythm. Finding a groove has been difficult through the first four weeks, but IVC has been playing the strongest part of the schedule. It lost 28-20 in Week 1 at Paxton-Buckley-Loda and then suffered lopsided setbacks to Monticello, Tolono and St. Joseph-Ogden.
Among Quain's concerns is Aidan Fulton, a speedster the Ghosts rely on to boost the offense. But Quain pointed out that IVC will throw the ball as well as run the ball, making it more difficult to prepare.
Prairie Central is also looking to keep making improvements. Last week's 48-6 win at Rantoul allowed Quain to work on some things for the future. He pointed out that the Hawks worked on play-action last week to try to get first-year quarterback Drew Haberkorn used to the nuances of running that part of the offense.
“I think we're making improvements every week. We're still finding things to work on, which is normal for every team,” Quain said. “We're trying to look one week at a time but also keep in mind the big picture of trying to win a conference title and make a deep run in the playoffs.”
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Lewis Field. It will be the last home game for the Hawks until Week 9 when Central Catholic comes to Fairbury. In between will trips to Class 3A ninth-ranked Paxton (PBL should come into that game undefeated), Aledo (Mercer County, which is 3-1 and receiving votes in Class 2A) and Monticello.
EPG (4-0) vs. No. 3 Ridgeview-Lexington (4-0)
EL PASO — Unbeaten and receiving votes in the AP Class 2 poll, El Paso-Gridley will be facing its biggest challenge to this point of the season with a trip to Colfax to face unbeaten and state-ranked Ridgeview-Lexington in a Heart of Illinois crossover matchup.
Both teams are 4-0 and a win qualifies the winner for the postseason. The Mustangs will come in ranked third in Class 1A.
The Titans are coming off two close wins at home and will be looking to keep a determined Ridgeview-Lexington squad in check.
The Mustangs didn't play last week as Fisher has forfeited its season. The other wins were well-earned against Dee-Mack (21-8), Villa Grove (33-26) and Tri-Valley (21-16) in nonconference affairs.
Dax Gentes has been emerging as the top runner for El Paso-Gridley in recent weeks after quarterback Kamren Schumacher was displaying his running and throwing abilities. The combination of Schumacher and Gentes make EPG a difficult team to defend on the ground.
This is a tough stretch for Ridgeview-Lexington. After EPG, the Mustangs get Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley at home and then hit the road for Eureka, who is currently unbeaten and ranked eighth in Class 3A.
EPG is also in a tough stretch as it will host Eureka next week.
Dwight (0-4) vs. Momence (1-3)
DWIGHT —After four straight losses to open the season, head coach Luke Standiford and his Dwight-GSW Trojans are looking for that first victory of the season. Last week's five-point loss at Fithian (Oakwood) showed the Trojans might be ready to nab that win this week.
DTHS-GSW will be home against Momence, who enters with a 1-3 mark. The Redskins defeated Hoopeston 20-16 two weeks ago.
Connor Telford had a solid game last week with 138 rushing yards and 107 yards through the air. He also accounted for three touchdowns. Austin Burkhardt rushed for 113 yards and a TD and had 81 yards receiving on five catches with another TD.
It would appear the offense is ready to erupt.
The key will be the DTHS-GSW defense trying to keep Momence in check. Being disciplined will mean much in order to try to stymie the Redskins' attack.
This article originally appeared on Pontiac Daily Leader: Prairie Central Hawks Dwight Trojans El Paso-Gridley Titans football
