Each Saturday, prep sports coordinator Fred Kroner will review Friday night's action:

RANDOM THOUGHTS

The waiting game

Eight area schools with five wins only needed a win Friday to assure themselves of a playoff berth. Only Unity did so. The other seven will wait to see if their playoff points are sufficient to earn a postseason game. In the best shape are GCMS (41), Danville (40), Ridgeview (40) and Villa Grove (39). Bubble teams appear to be Oakwood/Armstrong-Potomac (37), Watseka (36) and Monticello (35).

Turn around complete

One year ago, St. Thomas More was 1-8 and Champaign Central finished 2-7. Now, both are heading to the playoffs. The Sabers are the area's most improved team, closing 7-2, and the Maroons secured their advancement by beating Centennial to improve to 5-4. Central has 40 playoff points, which should be enough to play again next week.

Just like last year

Congratulations to St. Joseph-Ogden and Westville for going 9-0 again this season. Both schools would like the postseason to go as well. Both were 2006 state finalists.

GAME BALLS

Brock Baker, Hoopeston Area

In his final game, Baker just missed 500 yards of total offense, passing for 301 and rushing for 196, accounting for all six of the Cornjerkers' touchdowns.

Tyler Johnson, St. Joseph-Ogden

Continued his passing efficiency. Two completions, two more TDs gives him 22 scoring strikes out of 47 completions.

Westville offensive line

Caleb Pratt didn't rush for back-to-back 300-yard games without some help. Credit goes to unheralded Brad Falconio, Austin Gay, Jeremy Lutchka, Alex McMahon and Dusty Zaayer.

FRIDAY'S LEADERS

Top five rushers

CALEB PRATT, Westville: 21 carries, 324 yards, five touchdowns

AUSTEN SCHULTZ, Tuscola: 16 carries, 295 yards, two touchdowns

TAVERIA LAWRENCE, Rantoul: 205 yards, two touchdowns

BROCK BAKER, Hoopeston Area: 29 carries, 196 yards, two touchdowns

JUSTIN MASSIE, Tri-County: 38 carries, 167 yards, two touchdowns

Top five passers

BROCK BAKER, Hoopeston Area: 19 of 30, 301 yards, four touchdowns

KENDALL CARTER, Danville: 10 of 32, 209 yards, two touchdowns

JOHN WIENKE, Tuscola: 17 of 26, 195 yards, four touchdowns

ZACH GRAY, Watseka: 11 of 21, 193 yards, one touchdown

TRACE COLEMAN, Iroquois West/Crescent-Iroquois: 12 of 21, 187 yards, one touchdown

Top five receivers

NATHAN BOYD, Ridgeview: four receptions, 122 yards

RYAN KUNCE, Milford: four receptions, 116 yards, one touchdown

CAMERON PARKER, Watseka: five receptions, 107 yards

BRANDON O'HAIR, Georgetown-Ridge Farm: three receptions, 96 yards

CODY EELLS, Hoopeston Area: six receptions, 93 yards, one touchdown

WHO'S HOT

Unity

The 6-3 Rockets take a three-game winning streak heading into the postseason after ending Shelbyville's playoff chances Friday.

WHO'S NOT

Centennial

After a 3-0 start and a Top 10 state ranking, who would have thought the Chargers wouldn't make the playoffs?