Starting Lineup: Thank your medical pros, plus a look at Week 3’s football games

It’s all about football on Fridays and today’s Starting Lineup looks at key notes and contests for Week 3 in Central Illinois.

Remember to tune in to ciproud.com to watch our WMBD Game of the Week between Washington and Metamora at 7:30 p.m. Additionally, you can tune in to watch our CSM Game of the Week, presented by Josh Riekena Country Financial, between Dunlap and Pekin on clutchsportsil.com with kickoff at 7:30 p.m. as well.

A thank you to athletic trainers and medical professionals

Athletic trainers and on-site medical staff deserve many thanks for what they do each night during football season and throughout the year. Unfortunately, not all high schools in the state have them. During a Chicago Public League football game on Thursday night between Chicago Mather and Chicago Senn, play was stopped and the game was eventually called in the fourth quarter after a Senn player sustained a serious injury. An ambulance was not on hand at the stadium and did not arrive until 30 minutes after the injury happened, according to Michael O’Brien of the Chicago Sun Times. Everybody hates to see injuries in high school sports, but when they happen, no one should overlook the job that on-site medical professionals do to keep athletes as safe and healthy as possible. 

An extended weekend of high school football

For those wanting an extra dose of high school football on Saturday, you’re in luck. Class 5A No. 3 Peoria High will clash with fellow heavyweight and Class 4A No. 3 Morris on Sept. 13 at 4:30 p.m. at Peoria Stadium. Both teams are coming off impressive wins and appear to be state title contenders at this point in the season. The two teams have a bit of history as Peoria High defeated Morris 76-56 at the same venue in a 2022 Class 5A state semifinal. 

Tonight’s slate

Friday night, however, will have plenty of notable games as well, including a state-ranked matchup between Class 3A No. 9 Bloomington Central Catholic and Class 3A No. 4 Tolono Unity. Get ready for the games by checking out our latest area power rankings and CSM Pick ‘Em for 11 of Friday’s best games. All of Week 3’s area contests are listed below: 

Washington @ Metamora, 7:30p

Morton @ Canton, 7:30p

Dunlap @ Pekin, 7:30p

East Peoria @ Limestone, 7:30p

Champaign Centennial @ Richwoods, 7p

PND @ Champaign Central, 7p

Bloomington @ Manual, 7p

Normal Community @ Urbana, 7p

Danville @ Normal West, 7p

Eureka @ Farmington, 7p

El Paso-Gridley @ Dee-Mack, 7p

Fieldcrest @ Tremont, 7p

Tuscola @ Tri-Valley, 7p

Heyworth @ Carlyle, 7p

St. Joseph-Ogden @ IVC, 7p

BCC @ Tolono Unity, 7p

Normal U-High @ Decatur Macarthur, 7p

Elmwood/Brimfield @ LVC, 7p

Olympia @ Pittsfield, 7p

Rushville-Industry @ Princeville, 7p

Peoria Heights @ Biggsville West Central, 7p