DANVILLE — Consistently, every year, the Normal Community Ironmen are one of the best football teams in the Big 12 Conference and in the state of Illinois.
In more than 45 seasons, the Ironmen have only had one losing season while they have finished the regular season undefeated seven times and Normal Community claimed the 2006 IHSA Class 6A state title.
That’s why Danville coach Marcus Forrest openly admits that he wants his program to be very similar.
“There is a reason that they have played as well as they have over the years and there is a reason that they continue to play the way they do,’’ Forrest said. “They are annually one of the top teams in the league, no matter if it’s an up year or a down year, they consistently play their brand of football.
“It’s a team that we toward being similar to, as far as playing hard, playing physical and doing things the right way.’’
This year is no different.
Normal Community (5-0 overall, 4-0 in the Big 12) is the No. 4 rated team in Class 7A with wins over Springfield Sacred-Heart Griffin, Normal West, Peoria High and Bloomington this season and the Ironmen have won 10 straight over the Vikings heading into Friday’s 7 p.m. contest at Ned Whitesell Field.
“There really hasn’t been a team that has been able to stay close with them,’’ said Forrest, noting that Normal Community beat Peoria High 63-42 on Sept. 15. “Peoria High is fast and aggressive, but they were not as disciplined as Normal Community. That discipline defense helped them to get turnovers and then their discipline offense converted those defensive stops into points.’’
But, facing one of the top teams in Central Illinois is nothing new for the Vikings.
Danville opened the year at Chatham Glenwood, then played at Peoria High, and Bloomington before beating state-ranked Champaign Centennial 25-12 last Friday.
“We’ve been in this position before,’’ said Danville senior Caleb Robinson. “Each one of those games have helped prepare us for this challenge against Normal Community.’’
But, even Robinson admits, this Ironmen squad is extremely talented this year.
“They are just very consistent in what they do. They are a good all-around football team,’’ he said. “If we are going to beat these guys, we have to max their energy. We have to swarm on every play defensively and play together. We have to be there for every single tackle.’’
Forrest believes his team has gotten better every week, except when Bloomington defeated Danville 31-14.
“We started really slow that game, we got behind and it cost us,’’ Forrest said. “We actually learned from that game, as we started faster last week against Centennial and we were able to get the win.
“We are going to have to do the same thing this week, because if we have the same mental mistakes that we made earlier this season, or we don’t care of the ball like we did at times last week, we will be in a real tough position against Normal Community.’’
Danville should actually have a little bit of confidence playing Normal Community after last year’s triple-overtime thriller, won by the Ironmen 50-43.
“We have some of the same guys on our team this year and they also have some of the same guys,’’ Robinson said. “That was one of the best games that we’ve played since I’ve been here at Danville.
“We were just one or two plays from winning that game.’’
Normal Community quarterback Kyle Beaty, who threw for 313 yards and 3 scores, is still directing the Ironmen offense, while Brady Augstin, who had two rushing touchdowns including the game-winner is also back.
Danville will counter with the ground attack led by Phillip Shaw IV, who had 92 yards on 16 carries last week.
The Vikings rolled up 121 rushing yards in the fourth quarter with an offensive line with three new starters and another player switching spots.
“We have at least five kids that have played on either the offensive or defensive line for us this season that are not available this week because of either injury or ineligibility,’’ said Forrest, noting his six offensive line starters from last week should start this week. “Thankfully, we have had other kids step up.’’
Forrest notes that next-man mentality started nearly 20 years ago with former coach B.J. Luke.
“B.J. always talked about how we have a different type of cat here in Danville,’’ Forrest said. “We are different in the things we have to go through and a lot of the things we experienced. Sometimes, people look at it as a negative, but we see it as a positive. Because if you an persevere through the external things, internally when you get to football, it should be easy.’’
That’s why Forrest isn’t worried about Normal Community dressing as many as 70 kids this Friday, while Danville will have about 35.
“We don’t have any many kids as other teams. Normal has more on one side of its roster that we are going to dress this Friday,’’ he said. “We have shown the kids. They also don’t have any many kids going both ways. In our eyes, do you like football or are you a football player? If you are a football player, you don’t want to come off the field. You want to be part of everything going on.
“We might be short in numbers, but we have built confidence and pride in having Danville-type football players.’’
The Vikings will find out if that’s enough this Friday at 7 p.m. when they try to beat the Ironmen. Friday’s game can be heard on WDAN-AM 1490.
TODAY
Prep Cross Country
South Newton and Fountain Central at Seeger, 4:15 p.m.
Prep Girls Golf
IHSA Class 1A State Series: Hoopeston Area/Armstrong-Potomac, Salt Fork, Schlarman Academy and Westville at Lincoln Regional
Prep Boys Soccer
Covington at Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin, 4:30 p.m.
Schlarman Academy at Hoopeston Area, 4:30 p.m.
Georgetown-Ridge Farm/Westville at Oakwood/Salt Fork, 4:30 p.m.
Prep Girls Soccer
Covington at Faith Christian, 4:30 p.m.
Prep Boys Tennis
IHSAA Fountain Central Sectional: Covington vs. Parke Heritage, 3:30 p.m.
IHSAA Fountain Central Sectional: Fountain Central vs. South Vermillion, 3:30 p.m.
IHSAA Frankfort Sectional: Lafayette Central Catholic vs. Seeger, 3:30 p.m.
Prep Volleyball
Attica at Covington, 5 p.m.
Seeger at Riverton Parke, 5 p.m.
North Vermillion at Fountain Central, 5 p.m.
Danville at Urbana, 6 p.m.
Schlarman Academy at Chrisman, 6 p.m.
Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin at Watseka, 6 p.m.
Iroquois West at Armstrong-Potomac, 6 p.m.
Oakwood at Georgetown-Ridge Farm, 6 p.m.
Cissna Park at Hoopeston Area, 6 p.m.
Westville at Salt Fork, 6 p.m.
FRIDAY
Prep Football
Seeger at Covington, 6 p.m.
Parke Heritage at North Vermillion, 6 p.m.
Fountain Central at South Vermillion, 6 p.m.
Normal Community at Danville, 7 p.m.
Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin at Watseka, 7 p.m.
Georgetown-Ridge Farm at Iroquois West, 7 p.m.
Oakwood at Hoopeston Area/Armstrong-Potomac, 7 p.m.
Salt Fork at Momence, 7 p.m.
Clifton Central at Westville, 7 p.m.
Prep Girls Tennis
Danville at Bloomington Invite, 1 p.m.
ON THE AIR
TODAY
Women’s College Soccer
Iowa at Purdue, Big Ten Network, 5 p.m.
Major League Baseball
Arizona Diamondbacks at Chicago White Sox, NBC Sports Chicago, 1 p.m.
St. Louis Cardinals at Milwaukee Brewers, WDAN-AM 1490, Bally Sports Midwest, 3:30 p.m.
Chicago Cubs at Atlanta Braves, Marquee Sports Network, 6 p.m.
National Football League
Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers, Amazon Prime, 7:15 p.m.
National Hockey League
Exhibition: St. Louis Blues at Chicago Blackhawks, NBC Sports Chicago, 7:30 p.m.
FRIDAY
Prep Football
Seeger at Covington, WKZS-FM 103.1, 6 p.m.
Normal Community at Danville, WDAN-AM 1490, 7 p.m.
Oakwood at Hoopeston Area/Armstrong-Potomac, WITY-AM 980, WITY-FM 99.5, 7 p.m.
Clifton Central at Westville, WRHK-FM 94.9, 7 p.m.
College Volleyball
Nebraska at Purdue, Big Ten Network, 6 p.m.
Penn State at Illinois, Big Ten Network, 8 p.m.
Golf
Ryder Cup, Day 1, USA, 5 a.m.
LPGA Tour: Walmart NW Arkansas Championship, first round, GOLF, 1 p.m.
Major League Baseball
San Diego Padres at Chicago White Sox, NBC Sports Chicago, 6:30 p.m.
Chicago Cubs at Milwaukee Brewers, Marquee Sports Network, 7 p.m.
Cincinnati Reds at St. Louis Cardinals, Bally Sports Midwest, 7 p.m.
Women’s National Basketball Association
WNBA Semifinals, Game 3: New York Liberty at Connecticut Sun, ESPN2, 6:30 p.m.
WNBA Semifinals, Game 3: Las Vegas Aces at Dallas Wings, ESPN2, 8:30 p.m.
Note — some events are subject to blackout rules and regulations
CONTACT US
Editor: Chad Dare (217) 477-5151
Reporter: Marvin Holman:(217) 477-5210
E-mail: sports@dancomnews.com
Note — The Commercial-News sports desk is staff Monday through Friday from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. All results and information should be reported during those times.
ATLANTIC CITY — Jerry Volpe, a purchasing consultant to the troubled Atlantic City Housing Authority, may get another increase in the amount of money he will be paid for his services at Thursday’s board meeting.
Volpe’s company Governance & Fiscal Affairs LLC has been paid more than $400,000 for a year’s work in handling procurement for the agency.
His work was criticized by former Housing Authority Executive Director Matt Doherty at a public board meeting last month, and two weeks later the board fired Doherty.
On Thursday’s agenda is a resolution for a change order on the contract with Volpe, presumably to increase the cap on how much he can be paid for his services. Currently it is capped at $460,000.
The authority has not provided a copy of the resolution after multiple requests, but Volpe is known to be approaching the maximum in his contract.
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Volpe declined comment on Thursday’s meeting.
The meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. at the All Wars Memorial Building at 1510 Adriatic Ave.
The agenda also says the authority board will consider a new management consultant contract for John Clarke’s Sunbelt Industries and outline plans for the future of Stanley Holmes Village, over which the authority is being sued by residents for poor living conditions.
Clarke was interim executive director under a previous contract with the board from August 2022 to May, when Doherty arrived. He stayed on as a consultant through Aug. 11.
It was during Clarke’s tenure that the city declared an emergency at Stanley Holmes Village due to lack of heat and hot water and the inability of the authority to provide basic services like trash pickup.
At the time, Clarke was also executive director of the New Brunswick Housing Authority and interim executive director of the Princeton Housing Authority. He spent much less time working for the Atlantic City authority than the minimum of 20 hours per week he had promised to spend in his contract.
An analysis of Sunbelt’s billing invoices revealed Clarke did not meet that threshold in 31 of the 38 weeks he served as interim leader. At least four of those weeks, he dedicated less than five hours to the Housing Authority, including one in which he logged zero hours.
Clarke recently retired from the New Brunswick job.
There also are resolutions to hire an auditor and a mold remediation company.
More than a week ago, Volpe had said he would hold a news conference within days to outline the fraud he has found at the authority, but that did not happen.
At the same time Volpe has been handling procurement, the authority has run into problems related to its procurement practices.
In June, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development ordered the authority to stop using emergency contracts, which are awarded without competition. That required the stoppage of much of the work going on to fix problems with disintegrating gas lines, mold and pest removal, and other repairs.
Doherty, who started with the authority in May, was fired by the board in a 4-1 vote early this month. None of those who voted to oust him commented on why they did so, saying only that it was “for convenience.”
Doherty had said Volpe’s failure to go out to bid for an auditor, after saying he would do so, resulted in the authority missing a deadline for submitting an audit and being listed as “troubled” financially by HUD.
Asked about the failure to issue requests for proposals for an auditor, Volpe said he had asked for and never received specifications for what to require of an auditor.
Doherty also said Volpe had told him via email he would go out to bid on a new heat and hot water system for Stanley Holmes Village, where heat and hot water have routinely failed. But Volpe never sought those bids either.
Now, the old system will have to be used for another year, and more failures are likely.
Volpe has said the executive committee of the board told him not to go to bid on the new heat and hot water system.
Volpe has run Governance & Fiscal Affairs since 2002.
In 1999, he was barred from working with any federally insured credit union by a government agency responsible for regulating federal credit unions and protecting its members.
He was the former manager of the Jersey Metro Federal Credit Union in Passaic County when he signed a stipulation and consent order with the National Credit Union Administration, according to NCUA documents.
Volpe agreed to be “prohibited from further participation, in any manner, in the conduct of the affairs of any federally insured credit union.”
Asked about it recently, Volpe said he signed the order to end the cost of litigation, and denied wrongdoing.
“It was a civil matter, having nothing to do with the Housing Authority. It had nothing to do with purchasing,” Volpe said. “I uncovered monumental fraud, like I do at the Atlantic City Housing Authority. I am a whistleblower. I am whistleblowing at the ACHA.”
But the NCUA said it had information that penalties were in order.
“The NCUA, based upon information reported to it, is of the opinion that grounds exist to initiate an administrative prohibition/civil money penalty proceeding against Gerald F. Volpe,” said the order dated May 28, 1999. “Gerald F. Volpe denies that such grounds exist, but desires to avoid the time, cost and expense of such administrative litigation and, without admitting that such grounds exist, hereby stipulates and agrees to the following terms in consideration of the forbearance of the NCUA from initiating such administrative litigation against him.”
The order contains no details of what type of wrongdoing was suspected or found.
While leading the credit union, Volpe said he had helped put its former president and vice president in jail for fraudulent activities there. But he said the NCUA eventually took it over and then balked at paying Volpe the more than $1 million owed to him upon termination. It was part of a “golden parachute” he negotiated in his employment contract, he said.
The NCUA said Jersey Metro, once called SKD Federal Credit Union, is no longer in business.
The 1999 censure did not affect Volpe’s ability to get government work.
Volpe has been an adjunct professor at Rutgers University teaching procurement classes and municipal finance, his resume says, and worked for both the Passaic County and Hudson County sheriff’s offices. He also was the purchasing agent for Passaic County from 2001 to 2008.
DANVILLE — Three goals in less than two minutes helped propel the Danville Vikings to their first Big 12 Conference boys soccer victory on Tuesday afternoon at Ned Whitesell Field.
Freshman Carlos Juarez had three goals, while junior captain Cesar Segura had two goals and an assist in the Vikings 8-3 victory over the Peoria Manual Rams.
Also scoring for Danville was Rylan Anderson, Damian Carmona and Shaw Black, while Adam Perez finished with a team-high three assists.
The Vikings improved to 4-8-3 overall and 1-6-1 in the Big 12 Conference, while the Rams fall to 0-8-1 overall and 0-4-1 in the league.
For the complete story on the Danville soccer victory, please see Thursday’s print edition of the Commercial-News.
At Ned Whitesell Field
Danville 8, Peoria Manual 3
Manual `1 `2 `— `3
Danville `5 `3 `— `8
First half
Danville — Rylan Anderson (assist Cesar Segura), 34:42.
Danville — Segura, 33:28.
Danville — Carlos Juarez (PK), 32:58.
Danville — Segura (assist Adam Perez) 14:24.
Manual — Marlon Cabrera, 7:40.
Danville — Damian Carmona (PK) 3:24.
Second half
Danville — Juarez (assist Perez), 32:45.
Danville — Juarez (assist Perez) 18:24.
Manual — Cabrera (assist Adrian Contreras), 16:07.
Manual — Cabrera, 12:23.
Danville — Shaw Black (assisted by Carmona), 3:32.
Match statistics
Shots on goal — Manual 10, Danville 19. Keeper saves — Manual: 11. Danville: Austin Brown 7.
TODAY
Prep Cross Country
Covington and Attica at North Vermillion, 3:30 p.m.
Hoopeston Area, Westville and Notre Dame De La Sallete at Chrisman, 4:15 p.m.
Prep Boys Soccer
North Putnam at Covington, 4:30 p.m.
Peoria Manual at Danville, 4:30 p.m.
Georgetown-Ridge Farm/Westville at Schlarman Academy, 4:30 p.m.
Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin at Watseka, 4:30 p.m.
Hoopeston Area at Fisher, 4:30 p.m.
Prep Girls Swimming
Danville at Centennial, 4:30 p.m.
Prep Girls Tennis
Bloomington at Danville, 4 p.m.
Prep Volleyball
South Vermillion at Seeger, 5 p.m.
Fountain Central at North Putnam, 5 p.m.
Peoria Richwoods at Danville, 6 p.m.
Hoopeston Area at Schlarman Academy, 6 p.m.
Armstrong-Potomac at Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin, 6 p.m.
Georgetown-Ridge Farm at Watseka, 6 p.m.
Milford at Oakwood, 6 p.m.
Westville at Iroquois West, 6 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
Prep Boys Golf
IHSA Class 2A State Series: Danville at Champaign Centennial Regional, 9 a.m. (UI Orange Course)
IHSA Class 1A State Series: Chrisman, Georgetown-Ridge Farm, Oakwood, Salt Fork, Schlarman Academy and Westville at Tuscola Regional, 9 a.m. (Iron Horse Golf Club)
IHSA Class 1A State Series: Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin, and Hoopeston Area/Armstrong-Potomac at Grant Park Regional, 9 a.m. (Minne Monesse Golf Club)
Prep Boys Soccer
Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin at Decatur St. Teresa, 5 p.m.
Prep Girls Tennis
Schlarman Academy at Urbana, 4:30 p.m.
Prep Volleyball
Salt Fork at Paris, 6 p.m.
ON THE AIR
TODAY
Men’s College Soccer
Michigan at Indiana, Big Ten Network, 6 p.m.
Major League Baseball
Chicago Cubs at Atlanta Braves, Marquee Sports Network, TBS, 6 p.m.
Arizona Diamondbacks at Chicago White Sox, NBC Sports Chicago, 6:30 p.m.
St. Louis Cardinals at Milwaukee Brewers, WDAN-AM 1490, Bally Sports Midwest, 6:30 p.m.
Women’s National Basketball Association
WNBA Semifinals, Game 2: Connecticut Sun at New York Liberty, ESPN, 7 p.m.
WNBA Semifinals, Game 2: Dallas Wings at Las Vegas Aces, ESPN, 9 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
Major League Baseball
Arizona Diamondbacks at Chicago White Sox, NBC Sports Chicago, 1 p.m.
Chicago Cubs at Atlanta Braves, Marquee Sports Network, 6 p.m.
St. Louis Cardinals at Milwaukee Brewers, WDAN-AM 1490, Bally Sports Midwest, 6:30 p.m.
Note — some events are subject to blackout rules and regulations
CONTACT US
Editor: Chad Dare (217) 477-5151
Reporter: Marvin Holman:(217) 477-5210
E-mail: sports@dancomnews.com
Note — The Commercial-News sports desk is staff Monday through Friday from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. All results and information should be reported during those times.
DANVILLE — Having transportation to a needed medical appointment a good distance away can be an additional burden for some people.
That’s where LifeLine Pilots can help.
LifeLine Pilots, is a non-profit organization based in Peoria that coordinates free air transportation for people with medical or humanitarian needs. The pilots volunteer their planes, time and fuel to help people get where they need to go, at no cost to the people who need the transportation.
Local pilot Jeff Williams, who’s an information technology consultant and has a plane at the Vermilion Regional Airport in Danville, is a volunteer pilot with the organization.
He said some people might not know about this service, and it’s another benefit of having a local airport.
Williams learned to fly taking lessons from former Vermilion Regional Airport Manager Mike Potter about seven years ago. Williams got his license the following year.
“I’ve always been interested in aviation … ,” Williams said. But for a long time he just never fully pursued it, thinking he couldn’t afford it at the time.
Williams said he learned about LifeLine Pilots, which was started by Wanda Whitsitt of Champaign in 1981. As it grew, it moved to Peoria. Originally it was to cover needs in Illinois. Now it services a 10-state region. Flights are typically facilitated in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee and Wisconsin.
It has more than 450 volunteer pilots and has completed 10,000-plus flights, or missions, covering over six million miles.
The free service can be for someone who can’t easily afford to travel and take a commercial flight or it’s a really long drive.
For example, someone may have to go to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota for many medical appointments. Sometimes the organization has to coordinate multiple legs, such as to get someone from Tennessee or Arkansas to a destination.
There could be just one person or multiple persons, such as family or friends that need to go with them.
Williams learned about this and other organizations like this, including Angel Flight, online. The organizations can partner together, in the different parts of the country they cover.
“It’s basically all about getting people in need where they need to go,” he said.
Williams recently had a mission to fly someone who was coming from Southern Indiana to Waukegan for medical reasons. It would be a seven-hour drive to north of Chicago, but is about an hour and a half flight.
He’s piloted two flights through the service so far, as he’s also working on getting his commercial license. He flew from Danville to Southern Indiana to pick up the two different persons and brought them to the Waukegan.
A couple other possible trips, including to Minnesota, had plans change for the passengers, he said.
Williams donates his time and fuel. He said the passengers are appreciative of the service because it saves them time, and it’s a good experience for the pilots.
“It’s just good all the way around,” he said.
“I plan to do more once I get my commercial license done,” Williams said, saying that he’s focused on studying and practicing for that.
LifeLine Pilots’ service is available in this area, he adds.
to qualify
According to the organization, to qualify for a LifeLine Pilots flight, a passenger must meet the following criteria:
- Have a non-emergency medical or humanitarian need far from home (usually between 100-1,000 miles from home).
- Have a financial or medical need for assistance.
- Provide a doctor’s name & fax number for LifeLine Pilots to contact for a Physician’s Release.
- Be able to fly in a small, 4-6 seat, non-pressurized aircraft.
- Be able to board the aircraft with minimal assistance.
- Be able to sit upright in a standard aircraft seat.
- Be willing to sign a liability release form.
- Provide own transportation to and from the airport(s).
vision
LifeLine Pilots’ vision is: A world where every person has equal access to transportation for healthcare and humanitarian needs.
According to LifeLine Pilots, “every year, millions of Americans delay or go without medical care because they did not have transportation. People living below the poverty threshold had even greater odds of reporting a transportation barrier to receiving medical care. There are many initiatives that provide free bus/shuttle services for local transportation, but when people need to travel 100 or even 1,000 miles for treatment, those with limited incomes or living in rural settings go without.”
“With the generous help of volunteer pilots, LifeLine Pilots provides a free alternative for accessing healthcare far from home, therefore improving health outcomes for everyone, regardless of location or income. The people we serve are unable to access medical care because they live on a limited income, do not have a caregiver who can drive them, have medical issues prohibiting them from driving a long distance, or are unable to fly commercially due to medical issues,” according to the organization.
LifeLine Pilots coordinates the non-emergency air transportation. There is never a cost to fly and no limit to the number of times a passenger can travel.
Pilot requirements include: 21 years of age or older; minimum of 250 hours of pilot in command time; meet Federal Aviation Administration minimums regarding flight status; and provide updated information whenever reportable changes occur such as loss of privilege, contact, or aircraft insurance information.
LifeLine Pilots depends on donor support. It receives no government funding, relying on individuals, businesses and foundations to fund the facilitation of every flight.
The largest contributors are the pilots who fly the missions. They donate their time, expertise, and aircraft use and cover all the expenses necessary to ensure that people needing medical and humanitarian assistance are supported. These donations are significant, as the Federal Aviation Administration confirms that the operating costs of a small aircraft can range from $100 to $200 per hour. Their contributions make up nearly 85% of LifeLine Pilots’ overall budget.
Pilots are encouraged to join the team.
For more information, visit the website https://lifelinepilots.org.
DANVILLE — The frustration of losing the last two years to a rival like Champaign Centennial was more than enough motivation for the Danville Vikings on Friday night.
But, only scoring once in those two losses was unaccepted.
The Vikings were determined that this year was going to be different.
Seniors Phillip Shaw IV, Caleb Robinson and Kaden Young all found the end zone on Friday night as the Vikings upset the eighth-rated Champaign Centennial Chargers 25-12 in a Big 12 Conference contest at Ned Whitesell Field.
“It’s been a long time since we beat them,” said Shaw, as Danville’s last win over Centennial was 13-0 triumph in the 2021 spring Covid-19 season. “It feels like we have lifted a curse or something.”
Curtis Beasley IV, who moved from tight end to guard Friday night to fill a hole on the Danville offensive line, said his team had seen a number of “predictions” picking Centennial.
“There was a lot of speculation coming into the game, what you would call predictions. If you believe in those, the odds were definitely stacked against us,” said Beasley IV. “We just fought harder than we have this year so that we could come out victorious.
“I feel like this game sets the tone for the rest of our season. We showed what we can do against a good Big 12 Conference team.”
Danville (2-3 overall, 2-2 in the Big 12) scored the very first time it touched the football.
Young, who was returning his first punt of the season, caught the ball at his own 20, started left, darted right to find a crease in the Centennial punt coverage unit. Punter Karson Kaiser was the last man with a chance to make the tackle, but Young just ran through his arms an into the end zone.
It was the first touchdown that the Vikings had scored on the Chargers since a J.J. Miles 2-yard run on Sept. 3, 2021.
“I took those losses the last two years personal,” Young said. “I reminded my teammates that this was the seniors last shot at them.
“To be able to score the first time we touched the ball was a big momentum swing.”
Centennial (4-1 overall, 4-1 in the Big 12) had a pair of drives deep into Danville territory in the second quarter.
Junior Ja’Vaughn Robinson broke up a pass on fourth-and-goal from the Danville 5 to thwart the first attempt and then sophomore Jayden Rowell intercepted a pass from Chargers quarterback Kellen Davis at the 1-yard line and then returned it 59 yards to the Centennial 30.
Six players later and just 20 seconds left in the first half, Shaw scored the first of his two touchdown runs to give the Vikings a 13-0 halftime advantage.
“Those plays just really hyped everyone up,” said Shaw of Robinson and Rowell. “We already thought we were going to win, but after that, we knew it was going to be a long time for Centennial.”
In the fourth quarter, the Chargers hit on their own big play with Davis connecting with Plamedie Ibinimion on a 75-yard touchdown pass, getting Centennial back within one score (13-6).
But, that’s when Danville started finding success with its running game.
Junior quarterback Darius Jay carried the ball six times on a 12-play drive that was capped with a 4-yard touchdown run by Shaw with 5 minutes, 39 second left in the contest.
“I’ve been watching film, and I knew Centennial would respect the pass. I knew if I used my legs, we would have a better chance of winning and I made that my mission,” said Jay, a transfer from Madison, Ind. “It was very frustrating not being able to throw the ball better. I just had to keep my head, but having your main receiver double team and them playing the deep ball well was very frustrating.
“We got the win and that’s all that matters.”
Davis connected on another long touchdown pass, this time 71 yards, to Kaiser to once again bring the Chargers within one score at 19-12.
And just like the previous possession, the Vikings went to their ground game.
Jay, Shaw and Robinson combined to carry the ball nine times for 57 yards on a scoring drive capped by a 2-yard run from Robinson that sealed the 25-12 victory.
“Those last two drives were mainly us showing how bad we wanted to win,” said Shaw. “When you run the ball like we did in the fourth quarter that is about putting pressure on the defense. Our offensive line was on another level tonight.”
And in that final quarter, it was an offensive line with only Kamarion Miles and Alex Doe at the same positions that started against Bloomington last week. Beasley moved from tight end to guard, junior Tayvion Diltz moved from guard to tackle, junior Gavin Bandeen came off the bench into a guard spot was sophomore A’jani Davis took over at tight end.
“We were all doing what we needed to do,” Beasley said. “I kept talking to guys — both offensively and defensively — about making sure that we keyed in on our responsibilities.
“So that when it came time, we didn’t have to think about it, we could just execute instinctually.”
Things won’t get any easier next week for the Vikings.
Danville will host Normal Community, the fourth-rated team in Class 7A, for its homecoming game at Ned Whitesell Field. The Ironmen (5-0 overall) shutout the Bloomington Purple Raiders 34-0 on Friday night.
TODAY
Prep Football
Schlarman Academy at St. Thomas More, 7 p.m.
Prep Cross Country
Fountain Central at Bison Stampede, 9 a.m.
Schlarman Academy, Salt Fork, Seeger, Oakwood, Armstrong-Potomac and Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin at St. Joseph-Ogden Invitational 9 a.m.
Hoopeston Area at Herscher Invite, 10 a.m.
Prep Boys Soccer
Monticello at Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin, 10 a.m.
Georgetown-Ridge Farm at St. Joseph-Ogden, 10 a.m.
Terre Haute North at Covington, 11 a.m.
Prep Girls Soccer
North Montgomery at Covington, 9 a.m.
Prep Girls Swimming
Danville at Bloomington Invite, 9 a.m.
Prep Boys Tennis
WRC Tournament, preliminaries: Attica, Covington, Parke Heritage, Riverton Parke, South Vermillion and Seeger at Fountain Central, 8 a.m.
Prep Volleyball
Bi-County Tournament: Attica, Fountain Central and Seeger at Covington, 8 a.m.
Danville at Watseka Invite, 8 a.m.
Oakwood at Hutsonville Invite
College Football
Florida Atlantic at Illinois, 2:30 p.m.
SUNDAY
No Local Sports Scheduled
MONDAY
Prep Boys Golf
Vermilion Valley Conference Tournament: Chrisman, Hoopeston Area/Armstrong-Potomac, Milford/Cissna Park, Oakwood, Salt Fork, Schlarman Academy, Watseka and Westville at Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin, 9 a.m. (Turtle Run Golf Course)
Prep Girls Golf
Vermilion Valley Conference Tournament: Hoopeston Area/Armstrong-Potomac, Milford/Cissna Park, Salt Fork, Schlarman Academy, Watseka and Westville at Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin, 9 a.m. (Turtle Run Golf Course)
Prep Boys Soccer
Georgetown-Ridge Farm/Westville at Hoopeston Area, 4:30 p.m.
Normal West at Danville, 6 p.m.
Prep Girls Soccer
Covington at North White, 4:30 p.m.
Prep Boys Tennis
WRC Tournament, finals: Attica, Covington, Parke Heritage, Riverton Parke, South Vermillion and Seeger at Fountain Central, 3:30 p.m.
Prep Girls Tennis
Danville at Champaign Central, 4 p.m.
Prep Volleyball
North Montgomery at North Vermillion, 5 p.m.
Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin at Fountain Central, 5:30 p.m.
Armstrong-Potomac at Urbana University, 6 p.m.
Georgetown-Ridge Farm at Westville, 6 p.m.
Hoopeston Area at Rantoul, 6 p.m.
Gibson City/Melvin-Sibley at Salt Fork, 6 p.m.
Oakwood at Paxton-Buckley-Loda, 6 p.m.
College Golf
Danville Area Community College Fall Invite at Danville Country Club, 8:30 a.m.
ON THE AIR
TODAY
College Football
Rutgers at Michigan, Big Ten Network, 11 a.m.
Florida Atlantic at Illinois, WDAN-AM 1490, WDNL-FM 102.1, Big Ten Network, 2:30 p.m.
Maryland at Michigan State, NBC, 2:30 p.m.
Louisiana Tech at Nebraska, Big Ten Network, 2:30 p.m.
Ohio State at Notre Dame, NBC, 6:30 p.m.
Iowa at Penn State, CBS, 6:30 p.m.
Akron at Indiana, Big Ten Network, 6:30 p.m.
Minnesota at Northwestern, 6:30 p.m.
Auto Racing
NASCAR Xfinity Series: Andy’s Frozen Custard 300, USA, 2:30 p.m.
Formula One: Japanese Grand Prix, ESPN2, 11:55 p.m.
Golf
Solheim Cup, GOLF, 7 a.m.
Champions Tour: Pure Insurance Championship, second round, GOLF, 5 p.m.
Major League Baseball
Colorado Rockies at Chicago Cubs, Marquee Sports Network, 1 p.m.
Chicago White Sox at Boston Red Sox, NBC Sports Chicago, 3 p.m.
St. Louis Cardinals at San Diego Padres, WDAN-AM 1490, Bally Sports Midwest, 7:30 p.m.
SUNDAY
Auto Racing
NASCAR Cup Series: Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400, USA, WHRK-FM 94.9, 2:30 p.m.
Golf
Solheim Cup, GOLF, 4 a.m.
Champions Tour: Pure Insurance Championship, final round, GOLF, 5 p.m.
Major League Baseball
Chicago White Sox at Boston Red Sox, NBC Sports Chicago, 12:30 p.m.
Colorado Rockies at Chicago Cubs, Marquee Sports Network, 1 p.m.
St. Louis Cardinals at San Diego Padres, WDAN-AM 1490, Bally Sports Midwest, 3 p.m.
National Football League
Indianapolis Colts at Baltimore Ravens, WDAN-AM 1490, CBS, noon
New Orleans Saints at Green Bay Packers, FOX, noon
Chicago Bears at Kansas City Chiefs, FOX, 3 p.m.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Las Vegas Raiders, NBC, 7:20 p.m.
Women’s National Basketball Association
WNBA Semifinals, Game 1: Connecticut Sun at New York Liberty, ESPN, noon
WNBA Semifinals, Game 2: Dallas Wings at Las Vegas Aces, ESPN2, 4 p.m.
Women’s Soccer
International Friendly: United States vs. South Africa, TNT, 4:30 p.m.
MONDAY
Major League Baseball
Arizona Diamondbacks at Chicago White Sox, NBC Sports Chicago, 6:30 p.m.
National Football League
Philadelphia Eagles at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, ABC, 6:15 p.m.
Los Angeles Rams at Cincinnati Bengals, ESPN, ESPN2, 7:15 p.m.
Note — some events are subject to blackout rules and regulations
CONTACT US
Editor: Chad Dare (217) 477-5151
Reporter: Marvin Holman:(217) 477-5210
E-mail: sports@dancomnews.com
Note — The Commercial-News sports desk is staff Monday through Friday from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. All results and information should be reported during those times.
DANVILLE — High school football games are four quarters of 12 minutes.
For the Danville Vikings this season, it’s been the first two quarters (24 minutes) that has basically determined their record.
In all three losses this season, the Vikings have trailed at halftime and even in their victory, Danville trailed for more than six minutes in the first half.
“In every game this year, we have trailed at some point in the first half,’’ Danville coach Marcus Forrest said. “We really haven’t play well in the first half of games this season, and it has put us behind the 8-ball.’’
That’s because the Vikings will need at least four wins in their final five games to become playoff eligible.
Danville’s drive for a postseason berth starts at 7 p.m. this Friday against the Champaign Centennial Chargers, who are rated No. 8 in Class 6A.
“We have to focus on being fundamentally strong and starting out fast,’’ Forrest said. “The better we start, the more consistent we can be throughout the game.’’
Getting a good start against the Chargers (4-0 overall and in the Big 12) isn’t going to be easy.
Centennial has won the last two meetings with Danville, 7-0 last year and 13-6 in 2021.
“The last two times we have played Centennial, it’s been small errors and small mistakes,’’ said Danville senior Evan Yates. “It’s painful to watch, but it’s stuff that happens and we hope to turn it around this time.’’
How does that happen for the Vikings?
“It’s mental strength and mental focus,’’ he said. “We have to stay strong and not give in. It’s all about paying attention and doing your job.’’
Forrest noted the last two losses against Centennial are reminiscent of his team’s struggles this season.
“The last two years, we have had a lag for whatever reason,’’ said Forrest, noting that Danville ran 11 plays inside of the Centennial 10-yard line without scoring last year, including four straight in the game’s final minute. “It’s more mental than anything.’’
Forrest admits that every week is a “must-win” for the Vikings to qualify for postseason play, but neither he nor his team is looking that far down the road.
“We need to focus and see the better things ahead of us,’’ said junior lineman Tayvion Diltz. “Being 1-3 right now, is not what we wanted. We wanted better things. We can change it, starting this week, if we come out and play how we can.
“We need to focus on getting better and healthy.’’
After playing at Bloomington last Friday without seniors Caleb Robinson (RB/LB) and Kaden Young (WR/DB), this week both of those players are back, but the Vikings will be without junior lineman Jeremy Etchinson-Lock because of a foot injury.
“That’s been an important message this week. Against Bloomington, we have some guys trying to composite for those kids not being there,’’ Forrest said. “We just needed everyone to do their own jobs and trust the other kids to do their jobs.
“If they do that, everything will work together to where we can make plays, score points and stop them from scoring. It’s a simple game and a simple thing to do, but these are high school kids and nothing is ever simple.’’
Centennial is led by junior quarterback Kellen Davis, who has passed for 690 yards and 13 scores while also running for 221 yards and five touchdowns.
“We saw him last year and he is an athletic kid that moves well,’’ Forrest said. “They go offensively as he goes. We really have to focus on keeping him in the pocket, and when he throws, we need our linebackers and defensive backs to be disciplined.’’
Friday’s game is set for a 7 p.m. kickoff and the game can be heard on WDAN-AM 1490.
CAYUGA, Ind. — The Seeger girls cross country team was able to beat out the rest in winning the team title at the North Vermillion Invitational on Tuesday.
Hadessah Austin had a time of 19 minutes, 5 seconds to take first individually for the Patriots with teammate Caleigh Purcell in second at 20:18, Hayden Frodge in fifth (21:39), Emily Greene at seventh (21:51) and Adara Austin was eighth (22:27).
The host Falcons did not have a team score, but Riley Smith was fourth (21:31), Reagan Bean was 26th (29:50) and Izabel Starwalt was 29th (32:05).
In the boys race, Seeger was second to LaSalette Academy with Nathan Odle taking fourth (18:01), John Puterbaugh was ninth (18:32) and Landon Dispennett was 10th (18:36).
North Vermillion did not have a team score with Landon Wesch taking 17th (20:01) and Covington was represented by Pierce Whiteman, who was 40th (30:28).
PREP BOYS CROSS COUNTRY
At Cayuga, Ind.
North Vermillion Invitational
Team scores — 1. LaSalette Academy 29, 2. Seeger 56, 3. South Vermillion 65, 4. Riverton Parke 109, 5. Parke Heritage 121, 6. Attica 146.
Individuals (3 miles) — 1. Karter Jackson (SV) 16:38, 2. Daniel Sullivan (LA) 17:50, 3. Andrew Gross (LA) 17:52, 4. Nathan Odle (S) 18:01, 5. David Lacy (PH) 18:08
Seeger (56) — 4. Odle 18:01, 9. John Puterbaugh 18:32, 10. Landon Dispennett 18:36, 16. Malachi Lathrop 19:20, 18. Konner Brenner 20:15, 25. Nicholas Wallpe 20:53, 31. Jimmy Stamm 22:02.
North Vermillion — 17. Landon Wesch 20:01.
Covington — 40. Pierce Whiteman 30:28.
PREP GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY
At Cayuga, Ind.
North Vermillion Invitational
Team scores — 1. Seeger 20, 2. South vermillion 52, 3. Parke Heritage 67, 4. Attica 100, 5. Riverton Parke 119.
Individuals (3 miles) — 1. Hadessah Austin (S) 19:05, 2. Caleigh Purcell (S) 20:18, 3. Isabella Turchi (SV) 21:08, 4. Riley Smith (NV) 21:31, 5. Hayden Frodge (S) 21:39
Seeger (28) — 1. Austin 19:05, 2. Purcell 20:18, 5. Frodge 21:39, 7. Emily Greene 21:51, 8. Adara Austin 22:27, 13. Claire Nern 24:04, 17. Jisela Buranoski 25:03.
North Vermillion — 4. Smith 21:31, 26. Reagan Bean 29:50, 29. Izabel Starwalt 32:05.