Community (9-1) faces a high-stakes test at Dick Tharp Field this Friday as they host the Prospect Knights (8-2) in the Round Two of the IHSA Class 7A Football State Series.

For nearly 15 seasons, the second round of the postseason seemed like the ceiling for the Ironmen football program. Despite qualifying for the playoffs every season from 2008 to 2022, despite 10 Round Two contests, Community successfully pushed through to the third round just once in 14 years.

Last season marked a breakthrough for the Iron, as Community clinched a thrilling overtime victory against Bradley-Bourbonnais, shattering that second-round ceiling.

That’s a feat the Iron would like to replicate this season.

Community breezed through the first round, handling West Chicago 41-16 on Nov. 1. But Ironmen head coach Mr. Jason Drengwitz knows that the Knights will be a different challenge.

“It’s a challenge that we are looking forward to,” Drengwitz said.

Prospect enters the matchup red-hot, riding an eight-game win streak after early-season losses to two of Illinois’ top 8A teams, including the second-ranked LaGrange Lyons. Those wins are quality wins, coming against 7A schools from the competitive Mid-Suburban East Conference.

The Knights don’t seem to have a crack in their armor, as they excel in all three phases of the game, Drengwitz said.

Prospect’s offense is led by quarterback Jack Skoog, a senior who posted a near-perfect performance in the Knight’s 56-14 first-round rout over Hersey last Friday. Skoog completed 13 of 15 passes for 184 yards against the Huskies.

Under center for the Knights this season, Skoog has completed 67% of his pass attempts, throwing for 1765 yards and 22 passing touchdowns.

That success comes courtesy of a receiving corps, Drengwitz said, that “run really, really good routes; they’re talented, and they’re fast.”

Skoog’s primary target, junior Nathan Cichy, has been explosive, with 42 receptions for 742 yards and 12 touchdowns, finding the end zone nearly 30% of the time he touches the ball.

But Prospect’s passing attack is just half the story. The Knight’s offense thrives on a rapid tempo with a balanced attack.

Running back Noah Easter is a force to reckon with, racking up over 1,200 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns this season.

Last week, the senior accounted for three of the Prospect’s four rushing scores.

Easter, Drengwitz said, “is outstanding. He’s big, he’s physical, he’s fast, and he runs well between the tackles.” To contain the Knights, the Ironmen aim to make Prospect one-dimensional.

“Shutting down the run and making them pass would be ideal,” Drengwitz said, “But they’re still really good in the pass game.”

On defense, Prospect has proved relentless. Last week, they held Hersey to a season-low 14 points, fueled by five interceptions, a forced fumble and a forced punt drop.

Defensive lineman Parker Ray, a 6-foot-4 powerhouse, leads the team with eight sacks.

Backing Ray up is a secondary that the Iron expect to see in cover-one coverage, testing opponents with tight, one-on-one matchups.

“We’re seeing things we don’t often face,” Drengwitz said.

But that doesn’t mean the Iron are unprepared; as Drengwitz said, the Iron “definitely… have answers” for the challenges Prospect presents.

The Ironmen’s answers can be seen in their numbers this season: 459 points, 58 offensive touchdowns and only eight turnovers, a showcase of firepower and discipline.

With a quarterfinal berth on the line, Friday’s winner will face the victor of the St. Charles North vs. Chicago Mt. Carmel matchup.

Kickoff is at 7 p.m., with live coverage starting at 6:30 p.m. on NCHSinkspot.com/live. Don’t miss this clash as the Ironmen fight to advance in their quest for a championship.