Doesn't sound like much, and it wasn't for Valshun Powe on Sept. 2, when Normal Community High School edged Bloomington, 17-14, in overtime at Hancock Stadium.

Powe played mostly on defense for BHS in that Intercity Doubleheader matchup, carrying the football twice for four yards and catching two passes for minus-three yards.

The net? One yard.

Powe figures to be a much bigger factor today when BHS (9-1) plays at NCHS (9-1) in a second-round Class 6A playoff game. The 1 p.m. contest is the 100th meeting between the schools.

"I don't want to seem cocky, but I think I can make a difference in this game with the help of my offensive line and the receivers blocking and Chris Jameson blocking for me at fullback," Powe said.

"The offense is clicking. I'm having good chemistry with my line."

That includes senior guard Tyler Cain, who said Powe "makes things happen when the ball's in his hands."

"We have a lot of confidence in what he can do," Cain added.

After splitting time at tailback early in the year with David Simmons, who is no longer on the team, Powe has been unstoppable as the feature back.

The 5-foot-11, 196-pound senior has rushed for 1,389 yards on 124 carries, an 11.2 average, and scored 17 touchdowns. He helped BHS, the No. 3 seed in Quadrant D, to a share of the Big 12 Conference title with second-seeded NCHS. The teams also share 10th in the 6A state poll.

"I've been playing against Valshun since we were in JFL (Junior Football League)," NCHS senior outside linebacker Anthony Hamer said. "He's been good.

"He likes to use his strength. He likes to run through you. You have to make sure you use all of your fundamentals, tackle him low and wrap up. You have to have great pursuit angles because he'll cut back also."

Powe did not play football last year, but was at tailback two years ago against NCHS on the sophomore level.

"I did pretty well," he recalled.

Ironmen coach Hud Venerable has heard plenty about Powe this season, saying, "Everybody who has seen him and played against him says he's the best running back in the Big 12, and maybe one of the best Bloomington has ever had."

"Valshun will be getting significantly more touches than he had in week 2," BHS coach Rigo Schmelzer said. "He is seeing the field better than he did at the start of the season. He's running very well."

Powe's emergence is one of two major changes from the first meeting, Schmelzer said.

The other?

NCHS' switch to a power, belly-option running attack.

"They're getting three, four yards or more per carry and keeping the other team from touches," Schmelzer said. "That's the big question about this game. Are they going to be able to drive the field against us and eat up seven minutes at a time?"

Mike Cross hopes so.

"They can't score if they don't have the ball," NCHS' 6-4, 270-pound senior lineman said. "We just try to take time off the clock and get the job done."

This is the fourth playoff game between BHS and NCHS. The Purple Raiders won the previous three, and lead the series 60-31-8.

Venerable said the Ironmen must put all of that aside.

"If you put too much emphasis on who you play, it takes away from how you play," he said. "If that's what you're thinking about -- I have to do this or do that because it's Bloomington -- you're not going to play well."

NCHS sophomore Austin Davis ran for 204 yards in the first meeting and has 854 yards and 10 touchdowns overall.

Seniors Shannon Cobb (578, 7 TDs) and John Venerable (338, 5 TDs) also have been productive, as has senior quarterback Craig Lutes (304, 5 TDs).

Powe has been complemented by Jameson's 304 yards and four scores, and senior quarterback Brent Holtz's 206 yards rushing, 541 passing and 16 TDs (11 passing, five rushing).

NCHS receiver Marcus King is out with an ankle injury, and standout nose guard Kirkland Grant also has a sore ankle.

"I think he'll play. I just don't know how effective he'll be," Hud Venerable said.

Sophomore defensive back Joey Anderson returns for the Ironmen after missing three games with a knee injury.

BHS will be without a starting offensive tackle for the first half because of what Schmelzer called "a slight school issue." Also, junior center Andy Malinowski has been ill and may not play.

"I'm looking at a front five in the first half where, by moving bodies, I'm going to have three of the five in new spots unless Andy's healthy," Schmelzer said.

The winner meets either top-seeded Mount Vernon or No. 5 Normal West next week.