Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Quarterback Dane Eisenmenger rolls out behind a solid wall of Unity blockers during their second-round playoff game against St. Joseph-Ogden. Eisenmenger, who was 9-for-14 passing, threw four TD passes to advance the Rockets past the Spartans.
TOLONO - In a second-round playoff matchup Saturday that saw both defensive grit and offensive fireworks, the Unity Rockets (8-3) defeated the previously unbeaten St. Joseph-Ogden Spartans (10-1) with a commanding 35-7 score. Unity’s defense held the Spartans, who averaged five touchdowns per game during their undefeated regular season, to their lowest scoring output since 2022, shutting down a high-powered, dominant offense that many thought would be difficult to contain. Unity’s ground attack was fueled by Garrett Richardson, who powered through the Spartans’ defensive line for 215 yards on 42 carries. Richardson's relentless rushes brought his season total to 1,635 yards. He found the end zone once in the first half, adding to his total of 103 yards at the break. Matching his impressive ground performance was Tre Hoggard, who provided a receiving spectacle with three first-half touchdown catches. He finished the game with 124 yards and a fourth touchdown that brought Unity’s lead to a decisive 35-7 with just over eight minutes left in the game. Quarterback Dane Eisenmenger also turned in a strong showing, completing 9 of 14 passes for 152 yards and connecting repeatedly with Hoggard to keep Unity’s offense pushing forward. Eisenmenger’s accuracy and strategic playmaking helped Unity establish a 28-7 lead by halftime putting SJO's back on the ropes.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Rockets' Garrett Richardson looks for running room around St. Joseph-Ogden's Tanner Siems. Despite not finding his way into the end zone, the senior running back ate up 215 yards of turf on SJO.
The true spotlight, however, belonged to the Rockets' defense. With 61 tackles, 36 of which were solo efforts, Unity suffocated the Spartans’ potent offense, led by the prolific SJO quarterback Kodey McKinney. St. Joseph-Ogden, a team known for its effective running game, was limited to just 59 rushing yards, rendering their offense one-dimensional and struggling to keep pace. Unity’s defensive unit, anchored by disciplined tackling and an aggressive pass rush, applied constant pressure, forcing quick decisions from McKinney and keeping SJO’s star receivers, Tanner Siems and Coy Taylor, in check. The Spartans' only score of the game came in the first quarter when McKinney powered through for a 7-yard rushing touchdown with 3:45 left. Siems, SJO's version of San Francisco 49ers great Jerry Rice, finished with four catches for 77 yards. Meanwhile, Taylor, who now holds Illinois’ all-time career receptions record with 259, managed seven catches but was limited to 34 yards in Unity’s tightly controlled defensive scheme. Unity head coach Scott Hamilton credited his team’s win to their experience and resilience, honed through a demanding schedule.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Big pushes by the Unity front line enabled ball carriers to pick up first downs almost at will against St. Joseph-Ogden. Rockets' Jaden Dene and Spartans' Carson Sarnecki mix it up nose-to-nose in the trench.
"You play guys like Belleville Althoff, you learn to get better and stick to the process," he said while players and fans celebrated near the east end zone. "We talked about running the ball, being physical and that's what it takes this time of the year." After a narrow 24-21 regular-season loss to St. Joseph-Ogden, Unity made noticeable improvements, especially in tackling and defensive discipline, which Hamilton attributed to focused preparation. "I think defensive we are tackling a lot better. Offensively, I think our edge, parameter stuff, and blocking has got a lot better." Hamilton also credited the big plays by special teams. The Rockets recorded three sacks and consistently enjoyed solid field position that kept the game’s momentum in their favor. "It was all three phases. It was a huge special teams win." The win not only solidifies Unity’s postseason run but also continues an impressive record against St. Joseph-Ogden in playoff meetings. In eight postseason encounters, Unity has emerged victorious seven times, with the Spartans’ lone win occurring in the 2006-07 season. Hamilton, who has led Unity’s program for 31 seasons and holds a remarkable 290-73 record, may have another opportunity to chase the state championship title that has eluded him thus far, with six runner-up finishes across his storied career. St. Joseph-Ogden head coach Shawn Skinner acknowledged that his team’s execution faltered in the face of Unity’s balanced attack. "There were so many things that didn't happen in this game that we've done all year," Skinner said after giving his team their last postgame talk on the gridiron. "We didn't convert in the red zone. We dropped interceptions that hit us on the hands. The field position game was in their favor for most of the first half. We haven't done that all year. We controlled the field position game." While the loss marks the end of SJO’s season at 10-1, the Rockets will face the Nashville Hornets (10-1) in the quarterfinals at Hicks Field on Saturday. Nashville advanced after a decisive 41-21 win over Greenville and brings its explosive offense to Tolono looking to step over Unity for a spot in the Class 3A semifinals. As the Rockets gear up for another round, Hamilton remains focused on Unity’s disciplined approach and urging his team to deliver the same intensity and physicality demonstrated against the Spartans. "Playmakers have got to make plays and we had some guys do it today," said Hamilton, who will be looking for more of the same this Saturday.
KEYWORDS: Unity Rockets football, SJO football, high school football playoffs, IHSA football, Scott Hamilton
