Chance Ingleman tosses teammate Braxton Manuel up in the air during team introductions prior to the start of Unity's first round playoff game against Newton at Hicks Field. Undefeated in the regular season, the Rockets continued their win streak with a 46-6 win over the visiting Eagles.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
Running with the force of a Mac Truck, Unity's Matt Brown collides with Newton's Gus Bierman during first quarter action of their first-round playoff game. Brown was responsible for 175 of the Rockets' 421 total yards against the Eagles.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
Stopped late by Newton linebacker and team captain Meyer Tarr, Unity's Matt Brown scores the first of five touchdown against the Eagles on a short 4-yard run. Brown finished the game with 175 yards on 21 carries.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
Newton's Issac Flower is stopped in his tracks after a short gain by Unity defensive back Will Cowan and linebacker Boden Franklin during first half action. The Rockets' stingy defense helped the program move to 10-0 on the season.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
Four members of the Rockettes huddle together under a blanket while waiting to perform during halftime at last Saturday's home football game against Newton.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
Junior linebacker Austin Langendorf leaps to block a punt in second quarter. Langedorf and the Unity defense held the Newton offense under 100 rushing yards.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
Matt Brown, the unstoppable 6-foot-1 running back from Unity, drags three Newton players into the end zone for another Rocket touchdown.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
With Halloween 24 hours a way and in the spirit of the day, members of the Rockettes, Unity's competitive dance team, perform a routine to Michael Jackson's Thriller during halftime.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
Alto sax players from the award-winning Unity Marching Band perform during the halftime show.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
A Unity flag girl twirls her flag during the halftime show.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
Unity fans clap for the girls' cross country team who brought home a championship title from the Decatur St. Teresa Class 1A sectional meet on Saturday. This Saturday the Rockets will attempt to bring home the state title at Detweiller Park in Peoria before their football team's 2pm home game against Paxton-Buckley-Loda.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
Rockets' wide receiver Damian Knoll stiff-arms Newton's Gus Bierman as he is wrapped up by Austin Moore on a pass play in the second half.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
Unity's Matt Brown runs over Newton's Austin Moore before being brought down from behind by Eagles' Mason Mulvey and Gus Bierman.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
With Will Cowan looking on behind them, Rockets' Camden Mette breaks up a pass play to the Eagles' Trevor Haarman early in the fourth quarter.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
Unity running back Garrett Richardson scoots by Newton linebacker Kohlten Barthelme during the fourth quarter. With a running clock and the Rockets up 46-6 on the scoreboard, the two freshmen squared off in their first postseason football game.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
Lineman Kalen Shoot (68) provides a big hole for running back Garrett Richardson during the fourth quarter. The two freshmen players saw their several minutes in the first playoff game of their prep football career.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
Unity head coach Scott Hamilton delivers his postgame speech to his players. Saturday, Hamilton and the Rockets will host Illini Prairie newcomer Paxton-Buckley-Loda (7-3) at 2 p.m. next Saturday for a round-two. Earlier in the season Hamilton's team defeated the Panthers 35-0 at Hicks Field.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
Publisher's Note: Check later for more photos from this game. Looking for photos of a specific player? Email us at photos@oursentinel.com with the athlete's name and jersey number for details.
