Normal Community (orange/blaok) scored 21 unanswered points in the first half to take command over Danville in a 48-24 win. (Photo by Larry Duling/WJBC)

By Larry Duling

DANVILLE - Freshman Alec Bozarth scored three touchdowns as the Normal Ironmen took a big step toward their 17th straight play-off appearance with a 48-24 victory over the Danville Vikings.

Trailing 8-3 at the end of the first quarter, Bozarth followed a D.J. Frank 1 yard touchdown run with two of his own, as the NCHS outscored Danville 21-0 in the 2nd quarter to lead 24-8 at the half.

The Ironmen defense dominated the Vikings and picked off two Trent Sherfield passes including a 98-yard interception return for a touchdown by Junior Alex Broad. Quarterback Austin Jones got into the scoring act on a 46-yard run for a score early in the 4th which pushed the lead to 41-16 and Bozarth capped the scoring with his 3rd touchdown on a 3 yard run. Bozarth finished with 101 yards on 17 carries. Grant Donath chipped in with two fieldgoals of 35 and 32 yards.

Danville came into the game averaging 35 points a game, but the Ironman defense held Viking quarterback Trent Sherfield to only 59 yards on 20 carries and 13 of 33 passing and 2 interceptions.
NCHS improved to 5-3(5-2) and will host winless Champaign Central next Friday. Danville drops to 4-4(4-3) and travels to Urbana.

N - 35-yd FG Grant Donath
D - Trent Sherfield 20-yd. run (Sherfield run)
N - D.J. Frank 1-yd. run (Donath Kick)
N - Alec Bozarth 1-yd. run (Donath Kick)
N - Bozarth 9-yd. run (Donath Kick)
N - 32-yd FG Donath
N - 98-yd Interception Return Alex Broad (Donath Kick)
D - Sherfield 26-yd. pass to Steve Williams (Sherfield to Martez Davis)
N - Austin Jones 46-yd run (Donath Kick)
N - Bozarth 3-yd run (Donath Kick)
D - Sherfield 24-yd run (Sherfield to Smith)

NORMAL COMMUNITY INDIVIDUAL LEADERS: 

RUSHING - Alec Bozarth 17 - 101
PASSiNG - Austin Jones 2 - 5-16
RECEIVING - Nick Rohde 1 - 12