Fans will approach it as the first week of the playoffs. Coaches, though, will try to convince their players this is just the 10th game of the season.

"We don't want to change anything. We take the same approach as we have in other games and keep the same routine," said Normal Community coach Hud Venerable. "That's probably why a lot of schools play on Friday night."

The three Intercity qualifiers -- NCHS, Bloomington and University High -- are trying to treat this Friday night like the nine previous.

U High returns to the postseason (or 10th week) after a year's absence. The Pioneers travel to face Coal City in a Class 4A game at 7:30.

BHS and NCHS play home games in Class 6A. The Raiders entertain Kankakee, while NCHS faces Big 12 Conference rival Champaign Centennial. Both contests begin at 7.

BHS-Kankakee

The Purple Raiders (9-0), the No. 1 seed in the same quadrant as NCHS, faced Kankakee in a first-round Class 5A playoff game in 1989. The Kays won 21-20 in double overtime.

Kankakee (5-4) probably would take a double overtime before the opening kickoff. The eighth-seeded Kays haven't beaten a team with a winning record and have allowed 25 or more points in five games.

In the past three games, the Kays have allowed 300 or more yards rushing each time. The prospect of facing BHS tailback James Wade (1,603 yards) likely doesn't sound too good.

Leading Kankakee offensively is Dylan Brooks. Since becoming the featured back at midseason, Brooks has prospered. He has rushed for 786 yards and seven TDs. Quarterback D'Andre Dowdy has completed 43 of 110 attempts for 565 yards, with seven TDs and six interceptions. The Kays have a big target in 6-foot-6 tight end Jeremy Gathing (16 receptions, 251 yards, six TDs).

NCHS-Centennial

The Ironmen (8-1), a No. 2 seed, could have revenge on their minds. Centennial ousted NCHS 18-14 in last year's Class 6A second round.

However, Venerable believes his team -- as well as seventh-seeded Centennial (6-3) -- is entirely different from a year ago.

"We haven't even discussed last year's game at all," he said.

NCHS has rolled to seven straight victories after falling to BHS 24-20. The Ironmen are playing without their leading rusher, senior fullback Antoine Kennedy (868 yards), who is out with an ankle injury.

Centennial has faced three playoff teams -- BHS, Rock Island and Mattoon -- and lost by a combined 107-19 score. The Chargers are led by quarterback Morgan Turner (55 of 122 for 886 yards and 14 TD), who is the son of University of Illinois coach Ron Turner, and Evan Foust (312 yards rushing, 305 yards receiving).

"We have to contain Evan Foust. He's an outstanding athlete, whether he's at tailback or wide receiver," said Venerable. "We can't let them establish their running game, and we have to be able to get a good push on the defensive front. Their defensive front is very good."

NCHS is The Pantagraph area's leading scoring team with a 42.2 average. With Kennedy out, the Ironmen's powerful running attack will lean more heavily on tailback Eric Scott (797 yards) and quarterback Jake Hooper (601 yards).

U High-Coal City

Sixth-seeded U High (6-3) faces a veteran quarterback in Brad Boresi. The senior missed a couple games in the middle of the season with a shoulder injury, but has recovered and completed 48 of 90 attempts and thrown for 10 TDs.

"They try to get an advantage by using a lot of multiple formations," said U High coach Kurt Olson. "They've got several tailbacks that have very good speed."

The Coalers (7-2), the No. 3 seed from the Interstate Eight Conference, like to move around Dan Tucker. He has rushed for 454 yards and also caught 20 passes for 308 yards while scoring eight TDs. Another weapon is wide receiver Nick Arndt (20 receptions, 372 yards, 5 TDs).

Defensively, Coal City has held six of its nine opponents under 10 points and posted two shutouts.

"Probably their best asset is defense. They're very aggressive and flow to the ball well," said Olson. "Their secondary is real athletic and quick. It's hard to get behind them."

U High received a needed boost last week when senior quarterback Nick Chiodo returned after a two-week absence because of a groin injury. According to Olson, Chiodo came out of the game in good shape.

Chiodo and senior tackle Brady Wrezinski are the only U High players who participated in a first-round Class 4A loss two years ago. Going on the road shouldn't concern U High as the Pioneers played four of their last five games away from home.

Contact Jim Benson at jbenson@pantagraph.com.