Plainfield had the stage Friday night.

It was Homecoming, the Quakers had won four straight and, at 3-0 in the Mid-State Conference, they were tied with Decatur Central for the top spot.

By the time the night ended, they weren’t tied anymore.

Decatur Central left with a 42-27 win and sole possession of first place.

The game had the feel of two teams that understood what was at stake. Both played fast. Both played physical. There were a few chippy moments as the night went on, but nothing that got out of hand. Every possession felt like it carried a little more weight.

Plainfield’s defense made Decatur Central earn its yards early.

The Quakers did a good job keeping Ezekiel Hester from simply getting outside, forcing the sophomore quarterback to make decisions with the ball in his hands. Hester kept finding ways to create with his legs, though, and that became a problem Plainfield couldn’t completely solve.

It also opened things up for Hunter Harvey.

Harvey wasn’t getting untouched runs. He was fighting through contact and taking what the defense gave him. The offensive line kept working to create those opportunities, with Jordyn Shanks making an important block on one first-down run.

Decatur Central didn’t need everything to be perfect. It just needed to keep moving.

Plainfield had an answer of its own in Bryce Sebanc.

When the Hawks brought pressure, Sebanc showed he could make something happen with his legs. He extended plays, picked up yards and kept Plainfield from falling out of the game when the pocket started closing around him.

Ethan Ellis continued to give Plainfield another option, and the Quakers kept attacking instead of letting Decatur Central dictate the entire night.

That’s what made the game stay competitive into the second half.

Eventually, though, Decatur Central’s defense started changing the rhythm.

Malik Campbell came up with a big sack, and the Hawks’ defensive front continued bringing pressure. Plainfield could still move the ball, but the clean opportunities became harder to find.

A forced fumble gave Decatur Central another possession, and the Hawks went right back to what had worked.

Hester’s legs.

Harvey’s physical running.

The offensive line creating just enough room.

Johnathan Rolling Jr. was making an impact outside of the offense as well. He contributed on defense, handled special teams responsibilities and blocked a field goal in the first half.

Plainfield kept fighting, but Decatur Central eventually found the separation it needed.

The Hawks pushed the lead to 35-27 before Harvey found the end zone again, making it 42-27.

From there, Decatur Central didn’t need another big play.

It needed to finish.

Plainfield couldn’t put together another response, and the Hawks eventually got the ball back and kneeled out the clock.

For Plainfield, Homecoming ended with its first Mid-State loss.

For Decatur Central, it ended with something bigger.

The Hawks entered the night tied with the Quakers at the top of the conference. They left alone at No. 1.

The final score says 42-27.

The way the game played out says a little more.

Decatur Central was able to lean on Hester when it needed a play, trust Harvey to keep grinding, get enough from its offensive line and eventually let its defense take over stretches of the game.

Plainfield made them work for it.

But when the game reached its biggest moments, Decatur Central kept finding a way forward.

Now there’s only one undefeated team left in Mid-State play.

And after six weeks, the Hawks have the conference lead all to themselves.