The Ironmen (7-1, 7-0) will look to secure a third-straight Big 12 Conference title outright when they travel to take on the Peoria Lions (6-2, 6-1) Friday. 

The Lions enter Peoria Stadium looking to spoil the Iron’s chances at a third-consecutive undefeated season in league play and a guaranteed first-round home playoff game. 

Peoria, ranked No.7 in 5A, is playing for a share of the Big 12 title; the Lions’ lone conference setback was Week 5’s 43-38 loss to Normal West.

Peoria’s Scouting Report

The Lions are riding a three-game win streak after last week’s 42-14 drubbing of the Bloomington Raiders, and lead the Big 12 in scoring, averaging 57-points a game.  

Ironmen head coach Mr. Jason Drengwitz will lean on a defense surrendering 15 points a game to stifle Peoria High’s explosive offense. 

First and foremost, Drengwitz said, the community has to stop the Lions’ run game.

“They’re really physical up front,” Drengwitz said. “Their line is big” and “the running backs run hard.” 

Running back Detaurion Pollard will shoulder the load for the Lions. The senior surpassed 1,000 rushing yards for the second time in his high school career earlier this season, and tallied two touchdowns and 109 yards last week. 

Leading the way for Pollard is Jaquarius Green, a senior who earned his first offer from Morgan State at just 12-years-old, according to Jim Mattson. The four-year starter stands at 6-foot-3 and tips the scales at 385. 

Complementing Pollard’s rushing ability is the arm of senior quarterback Breon Green, a player Drengwitz called “outstanding” in the running and passing game.

Green threw for 1,729 yards and 20 touchdowns as a junior, adding 714 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on the ground.

The Iron must contain Green for success Friday, as the quarterback tallied three rushing touchdowns last week. 

The Lions’ Unique Look

Peoria has “athletes all over the field,” Drengwitz said, a luxury that allows them to present a variety of looks the Iron have yet to see this season.   

 They rarely punt. They always go for two. They almost always onside kick, Dregnwitz said.

“All of those things require more prep and execution,” the coach said. 

The Ironmen have shown varied success against the onside kick this season, failing to recover one against Bloomington. 

The Lions will challenge Community with their uptempo style, something, Drengwitz said won’t change the Iron’s identity. 

“We have to stay true to who we are offensively and defensively,” Drengwitz said. “We have to put in our own wrinkles to try to stop them and limit their explosiveness.”

A Playoff Feel

The Week 9 contest, against a quality opponent and with a conference title hanging in the balance, has a post-season feel, Drengwitz said.

“What a great way to get yourself ready, mentally and physically, for what the postseason is going to bring,” the coach said.

For Community, though, their sights aren’t set on the playoffs just yet.

“Every year, our first goal is to win the big 12 conference title,” Drengwitz said. “Nobody wants to win a share. You want to win those things outright.” 

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.