CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Few people know more about the Central-Centennial rivalry than Maroons head football coach Matt Leskis.

A graduate of Centennial, Leskis played in the series when the Maroons were the dominant team, but since then, things have changed. Central football has not gotten a win over Centennial since 2019.

The Maroons and Chargers face off on Friday in the WCIA 3 Spotlight Game of the Week.

“We lost all my freshman, sophomore and junior years,” said senior defensive end David Ward. “So this year we’re going to try to make some jump.”

After a tough week one loss to Springfield, Leskis and his team have a clearer picture of what their team is capable of this year.

“We had some mistakes, some were mental, some were physical,” said Leskis. “We had more than Springfield. So in close games like that, you have to be tight. So we’re tightening up those”

The chance to fine-tune those mistakes comes Friday night at Centennial in the annual crosstown meeting.