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BHS-Normal West
Ranked No. 3 in Class 6A, BHS (3-0, 1-0) meets struggling West (0-3, 0-1).
The Wildcats have scored just seven points this season and have lost nine
straight dating back to last season.
"On their field we have to make certain we don't have any letdowns or
start looking ahead to anybody else," said BHS coach Rigo Schmelzer.
The Purple Raiders were hampered by illness earlier this week and Schmelzer
is hoping most of the symptoms will have abated by today. Among the stricken
were fullback Damon Mehlberg and second string fullback Justin Harrison.
"We were wiped out (Monday)," said Schmelzer. "We hope
they'll be back on their feet. It's kind of out of our hands."
BHS' James Wade is second in the Pantagraph area with 488 yards rushing,
while quarterback Andre Brown has passed for 396 yards. The Raiders will be
without receiver Brandon Hughes because of an ankle injury.
"Mr. Brown is an outstanding quarterback. He's got a great arm,"
West coach Jim Baker said. "Mehlberg is a ton as well as Wade. The onus is
on us to stop those two at the line of scrimmage and at the same time force
Brown to throw the ball before the receivers complete their routes."
According to Baker, the West offense needs "one nice series. If we
could get that, we would be OK. If we have one happen, hopefully more will
happen. We're going in well prepared. We've had a great week of practice. The
intensity has picked up a little bit, and the learning curve has really improved."