Community (8-1) is set to host the West Chicago Wildcats (6-3) tonight in the first round of the IHSA Class 7A playoffs, kicking off at 7:30 p.m. After four consecutive first-round playoff victories, the 6-seed Ironmen have their sights set on a fifth.

But the 27-seed Wildcats battled through a challenging schedule to earn their playoff spot and are no strangers to high-stakes games.

Entering Week 8 with a 4-3 record, West Chicago needed two consecutive wins to secure their postseason place, defeating Riverside-Brookfield 41-10 and Fenton 36-35 in what Ironmen head coach Mr. Jason Drengwitz said was “a playoff game for them.”

The ‘Cats became playoff-eligible with that fifth victory and finished third in the Upstate East Eight.

That conference, Drengwitz said, features a slew of “6A, 7A and even 8A” teams, something the Big 12 does not. The Wildcats’ record can be deceiving as they faced opponents like 8-1 Glenbard East, who enter the postseason as 8A’s 8-seed.

A tough conference schedule has resulted in a “battle-tested” Wildcats team, Drengwitz said, that can challenge the Iron in all game phases.

West Chicago’s triple-option offense brings an element of unpredictability that the Ironmen haven’t faced this season.

“They are running midline, veer, rocket toss, counter, things that we haven’t really seen in a while,” the coach said.

The scheme seems to be working for West Chicago this season, as they’ve recorded 39 rushing touchdowns and just two passing scores.

The cornerstone of the Wildcats’ run-heavy offense is senior running back Robert Lee, who leads the team with 1,385 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns.

The senior, who Drengwitz said “runs hard and is physical” and “isn’t easy to bring down,” averaging over nine yards per carry.

The Iron defense will have to stay sharp and “assignment-sound,” the coach said, as Lee is just one threat on an offense that averaged five TDs a contest.

“They can give the ball to the fullback; the quarterback can run it or pitch it,” Drengwitz said.

Quarterback Carter Naranjo Jr. is a dynamic athlete in his own right. The junior, who starts at cornerback and returns kicks, adds another layer to West Chicago’s ground attack with 897 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns.

“He does a great job of running their offense,” Drengwitz said.

Naranjo and Lee will look to find success behind Ali Nasib, the 6-foot, 275-pound anchor of the Wildcats’ offensive line.

Nasib, Drengwitz said, “is one of the best offensive linemen we’ve seen all year.”

The ‘Cats senior o-lineman lines up against what Drengwitz thinks is the bedrock of the Iron defense: the line.

“Our four guys up front—Kelan Augstin, Aramis Simmons, Damarion Gardner, and AJ Montoya—have been outstanding all year,” he said. “They’ve been the strength of our defense.”

Drengwitz had high praise for Montoya, calling him “the best defensive player in the conference, maybe the best defensive player” in the area.

Montoya’s ability to disrupt offenses has been pivotal, and his presence on the field will be essential in containing West Chicago’s option plays.

But West Chicago’s defense will also pose challenges for the Ironmen. The Wildcats’ secondary has recorded eight interceptions, with four coming from offensive starters like Lee and senior receiver Tommy Doyle.

The Wildcats secondary “does a good job of keeping lids on things,” Drengwitz said.

That coverage has helped West Chicago rack up 10 sacks this season, with junior Jayden Rosario leading the team with six.

The Wildcats “play really, really well defensively up front,” Drengwitz said. “They have a bunch of different slight adjustments to their base front that tweak the way we have to do things.”

But Community’s running back Calen Taylor is confident their o-line can handle those adjustments.

“I’ve been playing behind these guys for four years now,” Taylor said, “so I’m just trusting their steps everywhere. They’re helping lead me to the promised land.”

Taylor has made himself at home in the endzone this season with 16 rushing scores and 24 total TDs.

But the promised land isn’t the endzone, its late November at Hancock Stadium.

To get there, the Iron will need everyone, Drengwitz said, doing “their 1/11th” with focus and intensity in each aspect of the game.

“I hope we come out right away and just play gangbusters from the beginning,” he said.

The winner of tonight’s game will face the victor of the Prospect/ Hersey contest in next week’s second round.

Tonight’s 7:30 p.m. contest will be broadcast on NCHSinkspot.com/live, coverage begins at 7 p.m.