It's fairly certain Champaign Centennial didn't forget how last season ended.

Bloomington scored a late touchdown to edge the Chargers, 13-7, in a Class 6A quarterfinal playoff game at Tommy Stewart Field in Champaign.

That should make things interesting when the two Big 12 Conference teams return to the scene of that contest at 7 o'clock.

"If I were coaching them and talking about the upcoming game, I would bring it to everyone's attention. Fortunately, we have not had to use that as a motivator for three years," said BHS coach Rigo Schmelzer, whose team owns a 34-game regular-season winning streak.

"It's something I will point out to our team that they've waited a long time to make amends for what occurred."

Normal Community will get the earliest start to the season among the Intercity teams. The Ironmen travel to face Danville at 5:30 p.m. in another Big 12 contest.

New coaching eras begin for Normal West and University High. Darren Hess will guide West as the Wildcats entertain Rantoul in a Big 12 game, while Kurt Olson directs U High in a nonconference game against Farmington at Hancock Stadium. Both games start at 7.

Central Catholic opens its season with a 1 p.m. nonconference game Saturday against Chicago St. Francis de Sales at Hancock Stadium.

BHS-Centennial

With the Big 12 not splitting into divisions, this game carries more importance than in years past.

"I'm expecting a physical game and going to their field walking into a vocal, competitive environment," said Schmelzer. "We're bringing in inexperienced players. It will be a more physical and faster game than in practice. I'm nervous about our skill kids without the protection from the line we had last year."

A big question for BHS at the start of practice was a replacement for two-year starting quarterback Andre Brown.

Senior Jeremy Peden has emerged as the starter tonight.

"A lot of kids were pretty even. Jeremy has the ability to quickly recognize defenses a little better than the others," said Schmelzer. "In our scrimmage (last Friday), he had a better command."

Helping Peden out will be the presence of James Wade. The senior tailback gained 1,824 yards last season. How a revamped -- and smaller -- BHS offensive line fares tonight will be utmost on Schmelzer's mind.

"The last four years we've been big. I pointed out to these guys -- not to make them feel bad -- but in 22 years here we haven't fielded a smaller group," said Schmelzer.

BHS senior wide receiver Daniel Nathan will miss tonight's game with an injury.

Centennial's top returning player is 230-pound senior fullback/linebacker Nick LeVanti. Playing quarterback for the Chargers will be senior Morgan Turner, the son of University of Illinois coach Ron Turner.

NCHS-Danville

The oppressive heat the last two weeks might not have been a bad thing for NCHS. The Ironmen's next two games -- against Bloomington next Friday and Champaign Central in two weeks at the U of I -- both will start at 5:15 p.m.

"Maybe it gets us used to playing in the heat of the (late) afternoon and early evening. Our players have shown a lot of resolve practicing through the heat," said NCHS coach Hud Venerable. "We're physically fit as a team. I'm pleased with that."

Junior Jake Hopper will start at quarterback for the Ironmen. Senior Joe Kingdon started NCHS' final seven games last season.

"I feel Jake excels at running the option a little better and really won the job at this point. I feel he deserves a chance," said Venerable. "It was a pretty even competition in the summer and early in the preseason."

NCHS will be without junior guard Todd Hoback, who suffered a concussion in practice.

Once a perennial Big 12 power, Danville has won only one game the past two seasons. Venerable cautions it would be a huge mistake for NCHS to overlook the Vikings.

"I think Danville will have a successful season. They have too much speed and skill not to," said Venerable. "(Halfback Sherard) Blandon can play for anyone and two or three others can, too."

West-Rantoul

Every team wants to win the first game to set a positive tone for the remainder of the season.

Hess, the former NCHS defensive coordinator, believes a "W" carries more importance for a first-year program.

"I can't even tell you" how important it is, said Hess. "There are certain expectations coming from Normal Community where they make the playoffs every year. Everyone thinks it will happen overnight. All the work the kids have done buying into the system, they need a tangible reward."

According to Hess, the Wildcats will use about a 70-30 ratio as far as running and throwing. Junior Tyler Swearingen will be the starting quarterback.

West senior Mark Young, who suffered a knee injury in the summer, will be limited to offense only tonight at guard.

Rantoul won its opener last season before losing its final eight games. This will be the last Big 12 game between the Wildcats and Eagles, who move to the Corn Belt Conference next season. Hess will be matching strategy with former NCHS assistant Trevor Lehnen, who is in his second season as Rantoul's coach.

"I know Trevor likes to air it out. Our DBs (defensive backs) better be ready," said Hess.

U High-Farmington

Injuries already have hit U High with a pair of two-way starters out tonight.

Linebacker-offensive lineman Zach Truty is still recovering from a broken leg suffered in the summer. Tight end-defensive lineman Peter Buchignani might have a torn tendon in his foot and also won't play. Another U High player expected to see playing time, wide receiver-defensive back Dillon Caplinger, has a severely sprained ankle and will miss the game.

"It's very frustrating. We've only had one practice this year with everyone there," said Olson. "We're scrambling and people are moving spots. Our depth has gone way down."

The scrambling means U High will have seven two-way starters, according to Olson.

"It concerns me. We've stressed conditioning in practice," said Olson. "Once you get in a game, it's a different ball game. Adrenaline kicks in. I know in the first game two-way guys will be gassed by halftime and the third quarter. A lot of inexperienced juniors hopefully will gain experience quickly and go hard."

U High beat Farmington 18-12 in last year's season opener. Both teams are in the same predicament with assistants moving up to head coach as Jim Hardesty takes over for the Farmers.

Contact Jim Benson at jbenson@pantagraph.com.