Pantagraph.com - Sports - BHS defense comes through vs. Champaign Central

CHAMPAIGN -- On a night when the offense didn't put up huge numbers, the Bloomington High School defense responded to limit Champaign Central to 160 total yards and just two field goals in a 28-6 Big 12 Conference triumph Friday night.

Bloomington finished with 297 yards of offense, including 144 yards passing, to improve to 4-1 overall and in the conference. Champaign Central fell to 2-3, 2-3.

"I'm not displeased with the effort. Obviously I'm pleased with the 'W'," said Bloomington coach Rigo Schmelzer. "We have to continue to improve. With the line, we still feel like we're growing. We are not yet where we want to be and there are some things we can build on."

After a scoreless first quarter, Raider quarterback Stephen Esch ran 19 yards to cap a scoring drive. Adam Peden added the first of four extra-point kicks for a 7-0 lead.

Champaign Central responded with 29 and 34 yard field goals to pull within 7-6 before the Raiders went up 14-6 at the half on a Josh Mitchell 38-yard scoring pass from Esch.

"My personal feeling is if you can't run the ball and you can't pick up the blocks to allow play action to develop, then you're going to be in trouble against good clubs," Schmelzer said. "They played one-on-one coverage and brought heat to make us not get the yards that we want."

While the Bloomington defense continued to thwart Champaign Central in the second half, Raider running backs Darrelynn Dunn and Darian Davis went to work.

Dunn, who finished with 35 yards rushing on six carries, scored on a 7-yard run in the third quarter to give the Raiders a 21-6 lead.

Davis added a 6-yard score in the final period for the final score.

Davis had 56 yards on 14 carries as the Raiders finished with 153 yards on the ground while holding the Maroons to just nine yards on 30 carries.

"We couldn't get a push up the middle," Schmelzer added. "Davis is a good back and he needs to learn to turn the corner. If he does that, he's going to be a great back. He's got great wheels. He was able to do that tonight."

Esch finished with 42 yards rushing and completed 7 of 17 passes for 131 yards with one interception.

David Cook led Bloomington receivers with one catch for 50 yards while Mitchell added 41 yards on two receptions.

"We did some good things defensively," said Schmelzer. "I thought Champaign played a great physical game. I think they have ability."

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