Normal Community's Jerry Patton tries to break a tackle against Champaign Centennial. (Photo courtesy You Name It Sports)

By Eric Stock

Chris Carpenter is scheduled to make his first start of the season on Friday when the St. Louis Cardinals visit the Chicago Cubs. 

Carpenter underwent what was expected to be season-ending surgery to repair a nerve problem that caused numbness on the right side of his body. He ended up having a rib removed. 

The Cardinals, winners of four in a row, maintain a 2.5 game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers in the race for the second National League Wildcard spot. 

WJBC 1230 AM and 93.7 FM will have the call with Mike Shannon and John Rooney starting at 12:25 p.m. You can hear the Cubs call of the game with Pat Hughes and Keith Moreland on 98.9 FM WJEZ at 12:45 p.m. 

Extravaganza

Normal West hosts Normal Community in the annual Chili Bowl, that's our feature matchup on the Friday Night High School Football Extravaganza on WJBC 1230 AM, 93.7 and here on WJBC.com. You can get a full rundown of WJBC's coverage here. 

Pontiac visits Central Catholic at 6:45 p.m. on WJEZ 98.9 FM and WJEZ.com.

Redbird volleyball 

Illinois State volleyball plays host to Northern Iowa. You can hear the match here on WJBC.com.

Eric Stock can be reached at eric.stock@cumulus.com.