3 stars to stop as Ironmen look to extend winning-streak

4-0 Ironmen host 3-1 Bloomington Raiders

Inkspot Staff • Sep 22, 2023

The 4-0 Ironmen host the Bloomington Raiders in Big 12 Conference play tonight, looking to keep their undefeated streak alive.

Community enters the matchup 3-0 in conference action, trailing Champaign Centennial (4-0,4-0)– an opponent they will not face this season.

The Raiders sit third in the conference standings, boasting a 3-1 overall and Big 12 record.

Bloomington is on a two-game winning streak after last Friday’s 31-14 win over Danville. The Raider suffered their lone loss in Week Two, falling to the West Wildcats 35-14.

Here are three stars the Ironmen need to stop in Week Five.

QB AJ Codron

The Raiders offense revolves around quarterback AJ Codron; the Ironmen must limit his offensive options.

Codron, a junior, is a second-year starter for Bloomington who, according to Ironmen head coach Mr. Jason Dregwitz, “throws the ball really well” and effectively runs the Raider’s run-pass option offense.

In the RPO offense, the offensive line blocks for a run while the receivers run routes, allowing Codron to read the Ironmen defense and hand the ball off or throw.

That line, Drengwitz said, is “big,” “fast,” and “physical.”

The Raiders have tallied 15 touchdowns this season, with Codron throwing for eight and seven coming via the ground game.

Drengwitz said offensively, the Raiders “do what they do and do it really well… They run excellent routes, and [Codron] puts the ball on the money.”

RB Cameron Smith

The Ironmen need to limit Raiders running back Cameron Smith’s production; he is a dynamic back with big-play ability. This is a larger focus this week after Community allowed Peoria Lions’ tailback Maliek Ross to rush for 292 yards and two scores last Friday.

Twice this season, Cameron Smith has rushed for over 100 yards, averaging 94.5 a game.

Smith has six scores on the season, tallying four on the ground and two touchdown receptions.

The senior has explosive speed, something he demonstrated with a 65-yard touchdown run against the Wildcats in Week Two.

Lineman Miguel Espindola

Last season, as a junior, Miguel Espindola was an All-Area offensive line selection for the Raiders. With defensive lineman Kaden Maas out for the Ironmen this week, Espindola may play a significant factor in the Raider’s protection and run game.

Espindola is one of a handful of Raiders who see action on both sides of the ball.

Espindola is one of Bloomington’s leading tacklers, leading the team in tackles for loss with four.

The Raiders’ two-way players are something Drengwitz looks to exploit.

“I think we have to find a way to take advantage of that with some tempo.”

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Inkspot Staff

Stories published under Inkspot Staff are unattributed to a single reporter because they: have been produced through a collaborative staff effort; individual staff member contribution is not easily distinguishable; and/or the story was disseminated from announcements or press releases.