The Kankakee Kays defeated Community 26-13 last Friday, snapping the Ironmen’s 17-game regular-season win streak.

Despite being “disappointed in the loss,” Head Coach Jason Drengwitz said, the team aims to use it as a “springboard for improvement.”

Prior to facing the Kays, the Ironmen’s last loss came against Downers Grove North in 2023’s IHSA State semis, ending their title chances. But Week Four’s loss to the Kays, ranked No. 3 in the AP Class 6A poll, presents an opportunity, not an ending.

The loss, Drengwitz said, “allows us to be better as we move forward throughout the rest of the season.”

With the mindset of “one game at a time”—a Drengwitz mantra—the Ironmen (3-1) are now focusing on Friday night’s road contest against the Peoria Manual Rams (0-4).

Though winless, Manual has managed to score in every game, notching at least one touchdown per contest.

While Manual is 0-3 in conference play, and tied with Urbana at the bottom of the Big 12, the Rams’ have put up 54 points this season, a tally higher than both the Tigers and Community’s Week One opponent, Richwoods.

Manual’s “athletic” offense is led by senior quarterback Amare Breedlove, a two-way player who, Drengwitz said, “can cause problems.

“If he gets out of the box, he can throw it, he can run.”

Alongside Breedlove are “a couple of really dynamic receivers in the slot,” Drengwitz said, highlighting senior Martez Mcelmurry and junior Makai Hill, who have both reached the end zone this season.

The Rams’ inability to find the win column this season lie mainly on the defensive side of the ball.

They’ve given up 206 points, including 86 in last week’s loss to the undefeated Peoria Lions (4-0).

The Rams’ managed to put 12 on the board against Peora, resulting in 74-point differential, the largest in the Big 12 this season, something that sets up a potentially desperate Manual squad on Friday.

“They could throw the whole kitchen sink at us,” Drengwitz said. “We [have] to be ready for all that.”

Defensively, seniors Jase Wilson (OLB) and AJ Montoya (MLB) will look to shut down Manual, as they did last year in Community’s 42-0 victory.

This season, the Ironmen have allowed a conference-low 45 points, with Bloomington (4-0) in second at 76.

On offense, quarterback Kyle Beaty has thrown for 11 touchdowns through four games in his third season as the starter. Illinois State commit Mar’Quan Gary leads the team with three receiving touchdowns, while running back Calen Taylor has nine total scores, including two receiving.

The Ironmen’s balanced attack has resulted in 22 touchdowns this season, split evenly between rushing and receiving.

Last week’s game saw only two scores for Community, something Drengwitz believes the team can learn from.

“If we conduct ourselves the right way [and] learn from our mistakes,” Drengwitz said, “I like our chances.”