The Ironmen host the Big 12 Conference foes, the Urbana Tigers, in this week’s Homecoming contest, a matchup that looks to feature Community’s deep roster and showcase some young Iron talent. 

The Tigers (0-2, 0-1), under second-year head coach Curtis Blanden, are searching for the program’s first win since 2021. In 2022, after an 0-2 start and struggles to field a varsity roster, the Tigers forfeited the remainder of the season.

Last year, Urbana finished the season 0-9, losing five of its contests in shutouts.

Urbana enters Friday night’s contest having been outscored 91-14 in their first two games, facing an Ironmen team averaging 51.5 points a game while giving up just 9.5. 

Despite the Tiger’s struggles, Community isn’t taking the team lightly, running back Calen Taylor said.

We “always have to give them [our] all,” Taylor said. “We want to do our job and do it well.” 

And so far this season, Taylor has. 

The senior sensation has posted consecutive 100-yard rushing performances, tallying five touchdowns and racking up 315 total yards through two weeks.

Taylor credits his success on the ground, his 271 rushing yards, to Community’s strong offensive line.

They consistently execute, Taylor said. “They block the right people, make the holes, make the gaps [and] that’s what makes us so good.”

Centerpieces on that line are last season’s returning starters: the 5-foot-9, 217-pound Reid Johnson and 6-foot-4, 265-pound Bradyn Mazanowski. 

Nege, a towering senior playing his first season of organized football, and juniors Owens and Caraway are seeing significant time this season.

“Being a leader now is really important,” Johnson said, “be[ing] able to help out those offensive lineman that are new to the game.”

While veteran leadership is a responsibility, that doesn’t mean the players don’t enjoy it.

“It’s honestly been fun,” Mazanowski said, “to help these new guys out. It’s been a lot of fun going on a ride with these boys.”

Friday looks to be a contest where some of the more experienced Ironmen, players like Taylor, Johnson and Mazanowski, might have the opportunity to lead from the sidelines and to cheer on their teammates as they go to work. 

After the first quarter, the Homecoming contest could serve to preview the 2025 Ironmen season, offering some valuable playing time to an array of underclass Iron. 

Among them is junior Cole Kretsinger, spelling Taylor in the backfield. Kretsinger has recorded back-to-back 70+ rushing performances this season, recording one touchdown and 148 yards on 23 attempts.

At wideout against the Tigers, juniors Jalen Smith and Micheal Mavec can expect more looks.

The 5-foot-10 Smith hauled in two catches for 25 yards and a TD against Richwoods, while Mavec has two receptions on the year.

Next season, it might be the younger Beaty brother, Lucas, targeting that tandem.

The quarterback heir-apparent had a rushing touchdown against Richwoods in the third quarter but has yet to have a real need to demonstrate his throwing abilities, coming into the game with a win already locked up.

“Lucas,” Ironmen head coach Jason Drengwitz said, “is a talented player. He’s an all-around good football player with a high IQ.”

On Friday, a defensive line led by A.J. Montoya and Aramis Simmons, look to cage in the Tigers and replicate last year’s 66-0 rout of Urbana. 

That challenge will offer some valuable experiences to juniors Damarion Gardner and Kellen Augstin.

Gardner, at 5-foot-9, 200 pounds, and Augstin, at 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, are players who look to be cornerstones of next year’s defensive box.

Micah Drengwitz, at corner, will see extended time in relief of seniors Xavion Lashley and Max Blumenshine.

But it is a task all the Ironmen are prepared for, and it all comes down to fundamentals, Blumenshine said.

“It’s just a lot of stuff we’ve done since freshman year,” Blumenshine said.

Community would improve to 3-0 on the season and in Big 12 Conference action with a win. The homecoming contest kicks off at 7 p.m. at Dick Tharpe Field and will be broadcast by the Inkspot at NCHSinkspot.com/live starting at 6:40.