2026 Football Preview: Normal U-High aims to hold strong against elite competition

NORMAL — Turnarounds of high school football programs aren’t as easy as it seems in the movies.

But after missing the playoffs for seven consecutive seasons from the mid-2010s to early-2020s, Normal U-High has done just that. Head coach Brody Walworth has helped mold the Pioneers into a perennially competitive team with three straight playoff berths and they begin the season aiming to stand strong against each and every opponent.

“Still getting to that five or six win mark is a great goal to have in terms of the big picture,” Walworth said. “We want to compete at a high level in our conference and hopefully challenge somebody for a conference championship if possible.”