Purple Raiders stay undefeated after dismantling Normal West in Week 4

Posted on September 20, 2024
Bloomington moves to 4-0 to begin the season, the first time the program has done that since 2004. (Tony Bauman/Bloomington Athletic Director)

By Jake Fogal

NORMAL – The Bloomington Purple Raiders are a secret no more.

Having a chip on their shoulders heading into this rivalry matchup against Normal West, BHS hadn’t beaten their rivals since 2012. The Purple Raiders came into the matchup undefeated at 3-0, while the Wildcats were entering the game at 2-1.

Bloomington began the game with efficient offense, as quarterback A.J. Codron led the Purple and Gold down the field in three consecutive drives to begin the game. The first two scores of the game are credited to Codron connecting with junior Keyontae Hamilton on short passes in the red zone.

BHS junior running back Cedrick Gassaway added to the scoreboard with a 2-yard run mid-way through the second quarter.

Codron added another touchdown before halftime after hitting Hamilton for the third time to push the Purple Raiders lead to 28-0.

Senior Lerenz Higgins saw more playing time in the second half, and scored for Bloomington to open the third quarter after a Mikey Kimmel interception.

Running backs Rob Lanier and Junior Isaiah Martin both scored for the Purple Raiders in the final quarter, to give BHS a 48-16 victory over the Wildcats.

Head Coach Niall Mulcahy joined WJBC’s Eric Lapan following the game. Lapan was also joined by Bloomington’s A.J. Codron and Rob Lanier.

Bloomington moves to 4-0 in Niall Mulcahy’s first season as the head coach. He spoke with WJBC’s Eric Lapan.
A.J Codron had three touchdown’s in the Purple Raiders win over Normal West. He spoke with WJBC’s Eric Lapan.
Senior running back Rob Lanier had 10 touchdowns entering Week 4. He chatted with WJBC’s Eric Lapan postgame.

Normal West found the end zone for the first time late in the third quarter as back-up quarterback Payne Mefford completed a pass to Cooper Temples for 45 yards. Mefford later found Maliq Givens for six-points in the fourth quarter.

Bloomington moves to is undefeated through four weeks of the season for the first time since 2004. Normal West falls to 2-2(2-2) after the loss.

Other final scores throughout Central Illinois in Week 4:

(3-1) Monticello 28-25 Central Catholic (2-2)

(3-1) U-High 52-0 Lincoln (2-2)

(3-1) Kankakee 26-13 Normal Community (3-1)

(1-3) Fieldcrest 54-0 Westmont (1-2)

(4-0) PBL 46-14 Pontiac (0-4)

(4-0) LeRoy 42-7 Heyworth (2-2)

(3-1) Tri-Valley 49-14 Dee-Mack (2-2)

(4-0) Olympia 38-35 Athens (1-3)

(4-0) Clinton 23-14 Ridgeview/Lexington (1-3)

(2-2) Prairie Central 49-0 Rantoul (1-3)

(4-0) Eureka 14-0 El-Paso Gridley (2-2)

(4-0) GCMS 42-20 Meridian (1-3)

(3-1) Shelbyville 55-12 Tremont (0-4)

The High School Football Extravaganza is sponsored by CEFCU.

Jake Fogal can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…