Rockets celebrate 13 All-Illini Prairie selections following state runner-up finish

Unity’s remarkable 12-2 season led to 13 All-IPC honorees, including eight First Team selections. The senior-heavy roster produced standout players on offense and defense.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Rockets' Dane Eisenmenger hands the ball off to running back Crewe Eckstein while lineman Coleson Miller opens a hole in the Byron defense during a play at the IHSA Class 3A Football Championships this weekend at Hancock Stadium. All three players earned recognition from conference coaches, making the Illini Prairie All-Conference First Team.

TOLONO - Thirteen members of the Unity Rockets football team have been named to the 2025 All-Illini Prairie Conference team, a fitting tribute to a senior class that led the program to a historic 12-2 season and a Class 3A state runner-up finish.

The Rockets' remarkable season, which culminated in what is being heralded as one of the best Class 3A championship games in decades, saw nearly half of the team's senior roster earn postseason recognition. This group of seniors concludes its tenure with an extraordinary record of 41 wins and 11 losses, having led the program to four quarterfinal appearances, three state semifinals, and this year's unforgettable title game.

Headlining the All-IPC selections are eight First Team honorees, all seniors. The First Team Offense is powered by record-setting all-state quarterback Dane Eisenmenger, dynamic running back Crewe Eckstein, tight end Tre Hoggard, and receivers Tyler Henry and Coleson Miller.

The First Team Defense features standout performers Coleton Langendorf on the defensive line, linebacker Keegan Germano, and defensive back Brayden Henry, underscoring the balanced strength of the Unity roster. Five additional Rockets earned Second Team and Honorable Mention accolades to round out the impressive list of thirteen selectees.

Unity All-Conference players

1st Team Offense

OL - Coleson Miller Sr
WR/TE - Tre Hoggard Sr
WR/TE - Tyler Henry Sr
RB - Crewe Eckstein Sr
QB - Dane Eisenmenger Sr

2nd Team Offense

OL - Hudson Dehart Jr

1st Team Defense

DL - Coleton Langendorf Sr
LB - Keegan Germano Jr
DB - Brayden Henry Sr

2nd Team Defense

DL - Dez Winfrey Sr
LB - Caden Hensch Sr
DB - Graydin Cler Sr

Honorable Mention Defense

DB - Adam Reedy Jr
PNTR - Dane Eisenmenger Sr

2025-26 Illini Prairie All-Conference Football

Unity Rockets 2025 All-IPC football selections, Class 3A state runner-up high school football recap, Illini Prairie Conference First Team football honors, Unity Rockets senior class playoff legacy

Nine Spartans earn all-conference football recognition

St. Joseph-Ogden was well-represented on the 2025 All-IPC football teams with seven total honorees. First Team selections included Cameron Wagner, Lucas Smith and Kaden Wedig.

All-Conference, All-State lineman Cameron Wagner

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

St. Joseph-Ogden's Cameron Wagner performing blocking duties in the Spartans' home playoff game against Unity. The junior was named to a spot on the First Team in the Illini Prairie Conference end of the season recognition.

ST. JOSEPH - Following a postseason run that captured the attention of the area, the St. Joseph-Ogden football team has been rewarded with seven selections to the 2025 All-Illini Prairie Conference teams and two honorable mentions, the league announced this week.

The Spartans, who finished their season 8-5 after an exciting, high-scoring playoff battle with rival Unity, placed three players on the conference's First Team Offense. Junior standouts Cameron Wagner, an offensive lineman, and receiver Kaden Wedig were honored alongside senior kicker Lucas Smith for their standout seasons.

The accolades continued with three more Spartans securing spots on the Second Team Offense. Senior quarterback Kodey McKinney, who orchestrated the team's attack, was selected alongside his top targets and classmates: running back Wyatt Wertz and receiver Tim Blackburn-Kelley.

Defensive prowess was also recognized, with senior Brennan Oleynichak earning a Second Team nod as one of the conference's top four defensive linemen. Oleynichak demonstrated rare two-way value, also receiving an Honorable Mention for his work on the offensive line. He was joined on the defensive honor roll by senior linebacker Ryker Lockhart (Second Team) and classmate Logan Rosenthal (Honorable Mention, linebacker).

The seven honorees punctuate a successful season for the Spartans, who rallied to win three playoff games before their season ultimately ended in a shootout against the Unity Rockets.

2025-26 Illini Prairie All-Conference Football

St. Joseph-Ogden football All-IPC selections 2025, Illini Prairie Conference high school football honors, SJO Spartans postseason recap and awards, Central Illinois high school football all-conference list

Griffin and Raiford shine, but Comanches drop tough road game in Springfield

A dominant opening quarter gave Cahokia momentum, but Springfield flipped the game with a big second frame to win 67-62. Griffin and Raiford kept the Comanches close with strong two-way performances.

SPRINGFIELD - For one electric quarter, the Cahokia Comanches looked unstoppable, building a commanding 16-point lead. But a devastating second-quarter swing proved too much to overcome, as Springfield High School roared back to hand Cahokia a heartbreaking 67-62 non-conference road loss last Friday night.

Balanced effort propels Central past Springfield Southeast

The Maroons shook off an early stumble by defeating Springfield Southeast 60-47 last Tuesday.

CHAMPAIGN - After a season-opening stumble, the Champaign Central Maroons found their footing at home Tuesday night, using a stout defensive effort and balanced scoring to secure a 60-47 victory over the Springfield Southeast Spartans.

The win, which evened Central’s early season record at 1-1, was fueled by contributions across the roster. Junior Jeremy McCoy led all scorers with 18 points, while senior Cayden Love provided a pivotal two-way performance with 15 points, a team-high seven rebounds, and three steals. Sophomore L. Cooper Sutton rounded out the double-figure scorers with 12 points, adding six defensive rebounds to help Central control the glass with a 27-rebound team total.

That defensive energy was personified by Love and senior Jayden Means, who each recorded three steals as the Maroons consistently disrupted the Spartan offense. The effort marked a significant turnaround from a 48-39 home loss to Peoria Manual just two days prior.

The Maroons will look to build on this momentum as they hit the road for their next contest, a non-conference matchup against another Springfield foe. Central is scheduled to face Springfield High School (2-1) on December 3.

Box Score Highlights:

Jeremy McCoy: 18 PTS
Cayden Love: 15 PTS, 7 REB, 3 STL
L. Cooper Sutton: 12 PTS, 6 DREB
Team: 27 Total REB, 11 STL, 22 BLK

Champaign Central Maroons basketball recap, Springfield Southeast Spartans game analysis, Illinois high school basketball defensive highlights, Champaign Central vs. Springfield Southeast final score, Central Maroons early season performance

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December 1

As December arrives with festive lights and winter’s chill, we revisit the stories that defined our community — from holiday traditions and year‑end reflections to local sports highlights, civic milestones, and spirited debates. Explore archived posts published on this day in December across Champaign County and beyond, curated by The Sentinel.

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Guest Commentary |
It's December, give love and hope to others

Let’s focus on the one who really brings light to our lives and is the light of the world and that’s the baby Jesus.

by Glenn Mollette, Guest Commentator

Glenn Mollette

We can’t think about December without thinking about Christmas. December is saturated with Christmas. Christmas shopping, Christmas baking, Christmas Carols, Christmas television programs, Christmas religious services and the Christmas spirit.

Christmas has an accelerated pace of hustle and bustle but it also has an eerie haunting side. I was going through my cell phone contact list this morning and was appalled at how many contacts I have in my phone who are now deceased. Every time I turn around I discover an acquaintance has passed. For so many of us, we can’t really arise to the crescendo side of Christmas celebrations without wading through the mire of grief. We think about parents, spouses, children and friends whom we loved so much who are not here to celebrate Christmas with us. We remember old times that were good times. Those times aren’t as possible as they once were. So, this presents a major hurdle for many of us to overcome and it’s not easy.

Christmas presents a yearly challenge for us to create a new and special time. What was, will not be again. Thus, we have to recreate our holidays which means they will be different. They can’t be the same, because what was no longer exists. Therefore, what was, cannot happen again.

The baby Jesus was born in Bethlehem. He was God in the flesh. He came with a divine purpose to bring joy and life. He brought joy to Mary and Joseph, the shepherds and the wisemen who traveled from afar to worship him. Unfortunately, Jesus was troubling to some who did not understand his mission and purpose.

This month of December we will not forget those who were so special to us. They helped make Christmas bright. Let’s focus on the one who really brings light to our lives and is the light of the world and that’s the baby Jesus, who said, “I am the light of the world.” We need his light to navigate the darkness. Yes, the world has a dark side. Death and grief are difficult to navigate. We need the Christ child who came to help and save us to lead us through this month and the rest of our lives.

This December let’s focus on loving those we know and those who are here. Let’s draw close to each other. Jesus will help us. He said, “If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me.” He will make our journey lighter and brighter. Reach out to others. Don’t wait for your phone to ring. You make the call. Send the text and reach out. Spread God’s love and spread well wishes and goodness to all you know.

When we give love and hope to others, it comes back to us. If we invest in others, the invest in some way will be returned. Jesus is our example. He came to earth. He lived, loved and walked among us. We are the benefactors of his life. As we look to Him this season, may others be the beneficiaries of the Christmas spirit that dwells in you.

About the author ~

Glen Mollett is the author of 13 books including Uncommom Sense, the Spiritual Chocolate series, Grandpa's Store, Minister's Guidebook insights from a fellow minister. His column is published weekly in over 600 publications in all 50 states.

The views expressed are those of the author and are not necessarily representative of any other group or organization. We welcome comments and views from our readers. Submit your letters to the editor or commentary on a current event 24/7 to editor@oursentinel.com.

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Rockets celebrate 13 All-Illini Prairie selections following state runner-up finish