Explosive Ironmen offense outlasts Raiders in high-scoring crosstown thriller

Normal Community defeated Bloomington 56-42 in a high-scoring Big Twelve rivalry game, capitalizing on turnovers to seize the conference lead.

Photo: Alan Look Photography

Photo: Alan Look Photography

Bloomington's Arian King and Cooper Childers stop the Normal Community ball carrier during their game on Friday. The two teams put up a combined 56 points in the first half.

by Alan Look
Best Look Magazine

NORMAL – In a clash defined by explosive plays and momentum-swinging mistakes, the Normal Community Ironmen defeated the Bloomington Raiders 56-42 in last night Big Twelve matchup. The high-octane affair was a contrast in offensive philosophies, where the Ironmen’s ability to turn opponent errors into scores proved to be the decisive factor in the rivalry game.

The Raiders entered the contest with a clear strategic identity, focused on a physical, ground-and-pound rushing attack. Their offensive game plan was to control the clock and wear down the opposing defensive front, using their powerful running game to consistently gain yardage and shorten the game. The strategy yielded several sustained drives and long runs, allowing the Raiders to put up significant points and keep the score competitive deep into the second half.

Raider receiver lays horizontally to catch pass

Photo: Alan Look Photography

Bloomington's Jamari Sutton stretches out a pass. The Raiders dropped the conference battle at Dick Tharp Field after giving up 21 points in the second half. Next up, BHS travels to Peoria Friday to take on Notre Dame hoping to punch their ticket into the 2025 IHSA playoffs. See more photos from this game here ...

The major turning point in the contest, however, was the disparity in turnovers. The Raiders’ reliance on a conservative, run-heavy attack was undermined by several costly ball security issues. Each of the Raiders’ turnovers led to an immediate shift in momentum and, crucially, resulted in an Ironmen touchdown. The Ironmen defense and opportunistic offense turned a handful of dropped balls and errant throws into a 14-point swing on the scoreboard.

The Ironmen's victory was a masterclass in capitalizing on an opponent's mistakes. Their ability to deliver long touchdowns was crucial, as they consistently answered the Raiders’ lengthy drives with scores that required far less time off the clock. The cumulative effect of those quick, long-yardage scores, coupled with the points generated directly from turnovers, was the key difference-maker, ultimately overwhelming the Raiders' methodical attack and securing the 56-42 win for the Ironmen.

Normal Community’s 56-42 victory over Bloomington dramatically reshaped the IHSA Big Twelve Conference playoff outlook, giving the Ironmen sole possession of the conference lead and essentially guaranteeing their postseason qualification with an overall record of 5-1. Before the game, both teams were undefeated in conference play and vying for the top spot, but the Ironmen’s win gives them the critical head-to-head tiebreaker, putting them in control of the Big Twelve title race and likely earning them a higher seed and home-field advantage in the IHSA state playoffs.

Conversely, the high-scoring loss drops the Raiders to 4-1 in conference play, placing them in a crowded second tier with teams like Peoria and potentially Normal West. They’ll now have to battle through a tight race for one of the top remaining conference bids and the valuable playoff seed points that come with them.

TAGS: Normal Community vs Bloomington football, IHSA Big Twelve standings, Illinois high school football scores, Ironmen football 2025, Bloomington Raiders turnover game, high school football playoff outlook, Central Illinois prep football, Normal Community playoff chances, Bloomington vs Normal rivalry, IHSA state playoff seeding

Practical woodworking; 10 easy woodworking projects for beginners

From simple toolboxes to stylish coffee tables, these woodworking ideas help you learn essential skills. Perfect for new builders ready to dive in.

Photo: Bailey Alexander/Unsplash

Looking for a new hobbie? Here are several simple projects for making useful items that you can make if you are new to woodworking.

by Casey Cartwright
Contributor Writer

Are you starting your woodworking journey? It likely feels exciting and overwhelming at the same time. You’ve probably spent hours watching YouTube videos of master craftspeople creating beautiful furniture pieces, wondering if you’ll ever reach that level of skill. Well, the good news is that you don’t need decades of experience or a workshop full of expensive tools to create something meaningful with your hands.

We’re here to explore some practical woodworking projects that are fit for beginners like yourself. Each idea will teach you fundamental skills and result in something you’ll actually use around your home.

Now, before we dive into specific projects, let’s talk about the tools sitting in your garage or workshop. Many beginners think they need every tool featured in woodworking magazines, but that’s simply not true. A basic toolkit and one or two pieces of specialized machinery can get you surprisingly far.

Your essential arsenal should start with a circular saw or miter saw for cutting lumber to length, and it should be fitted with a carbide blade for maximum precision and longevity. Though the lifespan of carbide saw blades depends on how well you care for them, they tend to last quite a while simply by virtue of their inherent durability.

You’ll also need a drill for making holes and driving screws, as well as sandpaper in various grits. Lastly, make sure you have a measuring tape, pencil, and square for marking your cuts accurately. You probably have these last three items lying around somewhere in the house, and they can handle most beginner projects without breaking your budget.

Another storage project to consider is the humble floating shelf. This fixture is incredibly simple.

Once you know that you have all the essential tools on hand, you can decide which project to begin with. We think that storage projects make perfect starting points because they’re forgiving, useful, and instructive of core woodworking principles. For example, a basic wooden box might seem mundane, but it introduces you to measuring, cutting, joining, and finishing—skills you’ll use in every future project.

Consider building a basic toolbox, which is a rectangular box with a handle. The project teaches you about butt joints and reinforcement. To start, cut five pieces of pine: two sides, a bottom, and two ends. The sides measure 16 inches long by 8 inches wide, while the ends measure 8 inches by 8 inches. The bottom fits inside at 14.5 inches by 6.5 inches. Drill pilot holes before screwing the pieces together—this prevents the wood from splitting. Once you assemble the pieces, test for a stable fit and then sand all surfaces smooth, starting with 120-grit sandpaper and finishing with 220-grit. Apply a coat of polyurethane finish to protect the wood from moisture and wear.

Another storage project to consider is the humble floating shelf. This fixture is incredibly simple. You’ll need a 1x6 board cut to your desired length, plus a 2x2 cleat system for mounting. This hidden bracket system teaches you the importance of precise measuring. Cut your shelf board and sand it smooth. Then, create the mounting system by ripping a 2x2 board at a 45-degree angle, creating two pieces that fit together like puzzle pieces. One piece mounts to the wall, while the other attaches to the back of your shelf—and that’s basically it!

Once you’ve mastered basic storage projects, furniture pieces can provide the next challenge. Take a coffee table, for example. This design uses basic lumber and straightforward joinery. You’ll need four 2x4s for the legs, cut to 16 inches each. The tabletop consists of 1x6 boards glued together and 2x4 aprons that connect everything and provide stability. Just cut the aprons to fit between the legs, creating a rectangle slightly smaller than your tabletop. Attach the aprons to the legs using wood screws and corner braces for extra strength. The tabletop sits on top of this frame and gets secured from underneath. Once it’s assembled, sand the entire table thoroughly and apply your chosen finish in thin, even coats.

Woodworking rewards patience and attention to detail more than speed.

You can also craft a matching dining bench to complete the set. The basic design uses 2x10 lumber for the top and 2x8s for the legs. Cut the top to your desired length (48 inches works well for most dining tables). For legs, you can install them at an angle to provide more structural stability and practice with non-90-degree cuts. Mark the leg angles carefully—a 15-degree outward angle looks proportional but not too dramatic. Cut these angles with a circular saw, taking your time to follow the lines precisely. Connect the legs to the top using carriage bolts, which provide strong connections and add to the rustic appearance.

Maybe you don’t need any more storage or furniture. In that case, consider some outdoor projects, which are useful items for your yard or patio that introduce you to weather-resistant materials and finishes. These projects also tend to be more forgiving since a perfect finish matters less outdoors.

We recommend making planter boxes if you have or want to start a garden. Simply build rectangular frames using 1x8 cedar boards. Corner joints can be simple butt joints reinforced with exterior screws. Then, line the inside with landscape fabric to prevent soil loss while allowing drainage.

If you’re not a gardener, then try making a birdhouse. Different bird species prefer specific hole sizes and house dimensions, so research your local birds before building. As an example, a basic wren house measures 4x4 inches at the base with 6-inch walls. The entrance hole should be 1.25 inches in diameter, positioned about 4 inches from the floor. Add small drainage holes in the bottom and ventilation holes near the top.

And there you have it—practical woodworking projects that are fit for beginners like yourself. Did anything strike your fancy? Whichever you’re feeling called to attempt, know that you’re sure to develop essential woodworking skills and create something useful for your home. Just remember not to rush the process. Woodworking rewards patience and attention to detail more than speed. As the old saying goes, measure twice and cut once. You won’t regret it!