Varsity Snapshot |
Unity's Carter Schmid

Unity junior quarterback Carter Schmid has quickly established himself as a versatile weapon for the Rockets, combining a strong passing performance with an effective rushing attack through the team's first two games.

TOLONO - For Unity junior quarterback Carter Schmid, the Rockets’ offense has quickly become a showcase for his versatility. In his second varsity start as the Rockets' signal caller, he follows a long line of outstanding quarterbacks to wear the "U".

Schmid accounted for 210 yards in Unity’s latest game against visiting Monticello, completing 17 of 25 passes for 171 yards and a long completion of 46 yards while adding 39 yards on 12 rushing attempts. Through two games, Schmid has rushed for 66 yards and passed for 297 yards, accounting for three touchdowns for the 1-1 Rockets.

Despite the loss to the 27-23 loss to the Sages, his numbers tell only part of the story. The photos in the slideshow below captures the junior quarterback in action as he helps lead Unity’s offense this season.

Carter Schmid Photo Gallery

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Photos: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

TAGGED: Carter Schmid Unity football, Unity Rockets quarterback, Unity high school football, Carter Schmid football photos, Illini Prairie Conference football

Sentinel area volleyball scores for August 31

Area volleyball scores

Champaign Centennial 2, Peoria 0
25-17, 26-24

Other scores from around the state

Bloomington Central Catholic 2, Heyworh 0
25-17, 25-15

Kiley Twist piled up 14 aces across two games in the Lady Saints' home match on Monday. Senior Kampbell Niepagen tallied ten of the team's 23 kills in the non-conference victory. Kendall Fair dished out 19 assists.

Cissna Park 2, McNamara 0

Islamic Foundation 2, Garcia 0
25-12, 25-18

Quincy Notre Dame 2, Jacksonville 0
25-19, 25-18

Sacred Heart-Griffin 2, New Berlin 0
25-16, 25-22

Lake Forest 2, St. Viator 1
13-25, 25-9, 25-23

Rochester 2, Williamsville 0
25-19, 27-25

Photo Gallery |
Unity falls to Monticello in Friday night thriller

The Unity Rockets came up just short against Monticello, falling 27-23 in a game that featured two strong passing performances.

TOLONO -It had all the trappings of a playoff game — packed stands, fireworks and two teams playing their hearts out to the last down on a warm but pleasant Friday evening at Hicks Field. It’s been a minute since the Rockets have dropped a regular-season game to the visiting Sages from Monticello. In fact, the last time Unity dropped a league game to Monticello was in 2018, the year its opponents ran the table, finishing with a perfect 14-0 record and the Class 3A state title.

The outcome was in the balance until the last down. When the final horn sounded, Unity fell 27-23. Carter Schmid completed 18 of 26 passes for 193 yards for the Rockets. His Monticello counterpart, Colton Shubert, went 17-for-27, tossing for 260 yards and one interception.

Next, Monticello (2-0) faces Rantoul (0-2) at home Friday, looking to continue its undefeated season. Unity (1-1) travels to Bloomington to square off with Central Catholic (2-0) in its three-game gauntlet against the top three teams in the Illini Prairie Conference.

Unity vs Monticello Photo Gallery

TAGS: Unity Rockets football, Monticello linebacker Mason Vance, Junior Monticello running back Daniel Moore, Monticello lineman Branden Bartlow, Rockets' wide receiver Beckham Brink, Carter Schmid throws passes for Unity Rockets, Illini Prairie rivalry, Michael Hardin leading rusher for the Unity Rockets, Unity football photo gallery vs Monticello

You pick 'em |
Week 3 Illini Prairie football predictions

It is time to pick your teams for the Sentinel's Week 3 Friday Night Forecast. Join this week's panel by filling out the form below.

Submit your picks for the opening week forecast and see how your calls stack up against fellow Illini Prairie Conference football fans all season long. Drop back by OurSentinel.com Friday mornings to see which teams are predicted to post another win on the way to qualifying for the state football playoffs.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

TOLONO - Beckham Brink avoids tackles by Monticello's Ayden McCool and Will Osborne on his way to a Unity touchdown. In classic fashion and a exciting playoff atmosphere, the Sages recovered and went on to win 27-23 in an on-the-edge of your seat regular season conference game. The Rockets (1-1) play on the road this Friday at Bloomington Central Catholic and Monticello (2-0) hosts Rantoul for Week 3 in the Illini Prairie Conference. More photos from this game coming soon.

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Friday Night Forecast Leaderboard

1. Coltrane (5-0)
1. DoubleJ (5-0)
1. Best Look Magazine (5-0)
1. SCOTTY P (5-0)
1. Sagesrunner (5-0)
1. Frank (5-0)
1. Bement Bulldogs (5-0)
1. Steve (5-0)
1. The Sentinel (5-0)

** After Week 1.

In case you are wondering, last week's predictions are here.

TAGS: Illini Prairie Conference football predictions, 2026 Illinois high school football predictions, Week 3 football predictions, Unity Rockets football predictions, St. Joseph-Ogden vs PBL, Illini Prairie Conference football predictions 2026, Sentinel Friday Football Night Forecast

Heyworth improves to 2-0 after 58-6 rout of Clinton

Heyworth dominated Clinton from start to finish Friday night, earning a 58-6 victory and improving to 2-0 on the season. The Hornets' offense, defense and depth proved too much for the visiting Maroons in the dominant home win.

Photo: Alan Look Photography/Alan Look

Heyworth's Lucas Bartels looks for open yardage behind a blocker in the Hornets' Week 2 game against the Clinton Maroons.

by Alan Look
Best Look Magazine

HEYWORTH - Friday night under the lights in Heyworth was a relentless statement performance from start to finish. The Heyworth Hornets put on an absolute clinic on their home field, delivering a 58-6 powerhouse victory over the visiting Clinton Maroons.

Just a week earlier, the Hornets, last year's Heart of Illinois Conference Small School Division champions, rolled past Shelbyville 27-6 in their season opener.

From the opening whistle, Heyworth controlled every phase of the game. The offense moved the ball almost at will, stacking up unanswered touchdowns and pulling away early, which brought the IHSA running clock into play for the second half.

On the defensive side, the Hornets were overwhelming, forcing turnovers and shutting down Clinton's drive momentum snap after snap. To their credit, the Maroons kept fighting to put points on the board late, but the night belonged entirely to Heyworth, whose depth, execution and explosive energy set a high bar for the rest of the season.

Photo: Alan Look Photography/Alan Look

Braydon Laesch gets past Cole Thomas. See more photos from the Heyworth - Clinton football gallery here.

Photo: Alan Look Photography/Alan Look

Jaleel Eads assists in stopping Marshawn Fitch.

Photo: Alan Look Photography/Alan Look

Caleb Troha stands in the backfield looking for a receiver. See more photos from the Heyworth - Clinton football gallery here.

With the victory, Heyworth, which finished last season 8-3, improves to 2-0 on the young season, while Clinton falls to 0-2 as it searches for answers moving forward. It was the kind of dominant home win that energizes an entire community and sends a loud message across Central Illinois.

The Hornets look to continue their momentum next Friday, hosting Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley. Meanwhile, Clinton will use the week to prepare for a home matchup against the Warrensburg-Latham Cardinals, who enter the game 1-1.

Alan Look is a Central Illinois photographer with more than two and a half decades of experience documenting sports, agriculture, automotive subjects, editorial assignments, and commercial projects across the Midwest. His work blends high‑impact action photography with long‑form documentary coverage, creating a visual record of regional sports history, rural life, and the people and industries that define Central Illinois.

TAGGED: Heyworth football 58-6 Clinton victory, Heyworth Hornets football 2026 season, Clinton Maroons high school football, Heart of Illinois Conference Small School football, Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley vs Heyworth football

Area football scores for August 28

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

TOLONO - Monticello's Clay Blickenstaff and Mason Vance celebrate their team's 27-23 road win against Unity. The Sages, along with St. Joseph-Ogden and Bloomington Central Catholic, are the only three undefeated teams in the Illini Prairie Conference at 2-0.

Illini Prairie Conference Scores

Monticello 27, Unity 23
Mattoon 32, Rantoul 12
Central Catholic 41, Illinois Valley Central 6
Prairie Central 20, Pontiac 16
St. Joseph-Ogden 52, Prairie Central 14

Other area scores

Champaign Central vs Normal West ~ not reported
Champaign Centennial vs Danville ~ not reported
Bloomington 46, Urbana 0
Clifton Central 44, Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin 21
Oakwood 55, Momence 0
Iroquois West 33, Hoopeston Area 7
Westville 28, Salt Fork 14
Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley 21, Ridgeview 15
Tri-Valley 35, LeRoy 0
Villa Grove 27, Cumberland 15
Tuscola 32, Shelbyville 20

Scores from around the state

Williamsville 45, Auburn 22
St. Teresa 41, Reed-Custer 14
McNamara 41, Herscher 0
Wilmington 48, Morrison 0
Lincoln-Way Central 28, Barrington 14
Breese Mater Dei 20, Casey-Westfield 15
DuQouin 49, Harrisburg 28
Carterville 45, Nashville 14
Bradley-Bourbonnais 13, Thornwood 12
Lincoln-Way West 35, Peoria 0
Providence Catholic 39, Kenwood 24
Camp Point Central 15, Greenfield 13
Geneseo 26, Rochelle 21
Illini West 38, Monmouth United 24
Quincy Notre Dame 28, Carbondale 22
New Trier 35, Waubonsie Valley 0

Look back at Week 1 football scores

Player of the Game |
Wedig turns six catches into 3 TDs

Kaden Wedig gives SJO a dangerous downfield threat. The Player of the Game hauled in six passes for 135 yards and three touchdowns in the Spartans' opener against Prairie Central.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Prairie Central defensive back Tatum Creek shoves St. Joseph-Ogden's Kaden Wedig out of bounds after his catch near the SJO sidelines. Creek's effort saved another possible TD for the Spartans in their 64-20 conference win.

ST. JOSEPH - If quarterback Lane McKinney can get the ball within a three-foot target around senior Kaden Wedig, the play has darn good odds of turning into a touchdown. Whether that statistical trend continues tonight with SJO's road game at Paxton-Buckley-Loda remains to be seen.

In last Friday's home game against Prairie Central, Wedig caught just six passes, three for touchdowns. The senior wide receiver scored on plays of 45 and 15 yards in the first half and tacked on a third TD on a 31-yard catch. The six catches added up to 135 yards, leading the Spartans in all-purpose yards.

Officially a wide receiver on the roster, Wedig should be listed as a downfield tailback. Twice after making catches while surrounded by as many as four Prairie Central defenders, he broke tackles and charged into the Spartan end zone. Odds are, if the quarterback can get the ball to him, there is a 50-50 chance of him scoring on the play. SJO has got to love those odds with our Offensive Player of the Game this week.

Week 1 Player of the Game Kaden Wedig

TAGGED: Kaden Wedig SJO Offensive Player of the Game, St. Joseph-Ogden football Kaden Wedig, SJO football Prairie Central victory, Lane McKinney Kaden Wedig connection, Kaden Wedig three touchdown performance

Notebook |
SJO golf second at quad meet, Hoeing scores first goal for Unity

Quick notes and scores from area high school volleyball, golf, and soccer matches.

Volleyball

Prairie Central's Miranda Hari collected ten kills in the Hawks 2-0 win over Herscher on Thursday. Mia Elliot had two blocks and eight service points. Cadyn Pride added seven service points of her own in the 25-13, 25-22 non-conference win.

Other volleyball scores ~

St. Joseph-Ogden 2, Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin 0
25-15, 25-22

Cerro Gordo 2, Urbana University 0
25-16, 25-19

Westville 2, Kansas 0
25-20, 25-14

Paxton-Buckley-Loda 2, Urbana 0
25-19, 25-22

Armstrong 2, Rantoul 1
25-10, 25-15, 25-12

Heyworth 2, Oakwood 0
25-14, 25-18

Soccer

Joel Hoeing scored an unassisted goal in Unity's non-conference game against Olympia. The junior's effort wasn't enough to hold off the Spartans in the 5-1 loss. Dropping to 0-3, the Rockets take the pitch at home on September 1 against Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond.

Other soccer scores ~

St. Thomas Moore 4, Effingham 1

Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin 9, Schlarman 0

Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond 3, Robinson 2

Monticello 10, MacArthur 3

Hoopeston Area 9, Gerogetown-Ridge Farm 1

Oakwood 7, Watseka 0

Teutopolis 2, St. Thomas More 0

Golf

The St. Joseph-Ogden golf team finished second in a quad meet with Hoopeston Area, Armstrong-Potomac, and Fisher at Willow Pond Golf Course in Rantoul. Garrett Loschen led the Spartans, shooting a 42, and Finn Miller finished with 43 strokes. The Cornjerkers took the title behind Eizen Pyle's match-best 37 and Felix Cantu's 39.

Player of the Game |
Jameson Ennis powers St. Joseph-Ogden defense with 10-tackle performance

Jameson Ennis led a dominant St. Joseph-Ogden defensive effort with 10 tackles, including three tackles for loss and a nine-yard sack, in the Spartans' 64-20 victory over Prairie Central. The senior linebacker also brought relentless energy and emotion to SJO's season-opening win.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Jameson Ennis (left) celebrate as he leaves the field with teammate Ike Shelato after pair and the rest of the SJO defense force a turnover on downs in their home game against Prairie Central.

ST. JOSEPH — Jameson Ennis picked up right where he left off last season, delivering a dominant defensive performance in St. Joseph-Ogden’s season debut.

The senior linebacker led the Spartans to a stunning 64-20 victory in their home opener against Prairie Central last Friday, finishing with 10 tackles, one shy of his single-game career best of 11.

Ennis was particularly effective attacking the line of scrimmage. He recorded a career-best eight solo tackles, with three resulting in losses, and added a nine-yard sack.

The performance continued the momentum Ennis built during the 2025-26 season, when he finished with 63 tackles and 13 sacks.

Jameson Ennis battles at the line of scrimmage

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Ennis makes contact with Prairie Central's Ben Barbosa during second-half action of their conference opener.

Against Prairie Central, Ennis was explosive and tenacious on virtually every play. His effort was so relentless that he briefly had to leave the field to relieve the contents of his stomach. After rehydrating, he returned to the field minutes later and continued fighting through the Prairie Central trenches, making tackles and creating chaos for the visiting Hawks at Dick Duval Field.

When St. Joseph-Ogden needed a big play, Ennis consistently answered the call. His energy also extended beyond his own statistics, as he celebrated enthusiastically after defensive stops whether he or one of his teammates made the play.

Ennis’ combination of production, physicality and energy made him a driving force behind the Spartans’ impressive start to the season and earned him Defensive Player of the Game recognition.

Jameson Ennis defensive player of the game

TAGGED: Jameson Ennis SJO Player of the Game, St. Joseph-Ogden Prairie Central football, SJO football season opener, Jameson Ennis defensive performance, St. Joseph-Ogden football 64-20 victory

Illini Prairie Conference |
Unbeaten Sages and Rockets square off on Friday

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

TOLONO - Unity's Keegan Germano lays out Monticello's Maddux Utley during their second-round playoff game last year. The Rockets rallied back from 14 point deficit to win 21-20 and eventually advancing to the Class 3A playoff game weeks later. The Rockets host the Sages at Hicks Field on Friday. Both teams head into the regular season contest undefeated.

Friday Night Forecast |
Week 2 Illini Prairie Conference football predictions

Prairie Central linebacker Kinser Benjamin fights off a block from SJO Ryder Van Meenen

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

St. Joseph-Ogden's Ryder Van Meenen blocks Prairie Central linebacker Kinser Benjamin on a first-quarter play for the Spartans. This week, SJO (1-0) faces Paxton-Buckley-Loda (0-1) on the road while the Hawks (0-1) host their first home game of the season against Pontiac (0-1).

URBANA - We start this season’s Friday Night Forecast with a nine-way tie. Last week, the Sentinel and eight challengers finished with perfect 5-0 records. Coltrane, DoubleJ, Best Look Magazine, SCOTTY P, Sagesrunner, Frank, Bement Bulldogs and Steve know their stuff.

This week, five brave prognosticators return, putting their reputations and Illini Prairie Conference football knowledge on the line with their picks for Week 2 winners in the 2026 race for the conference football title. Below are their projected winners and probable scores.

	Best Look Magazine	Doublej	Frank
Central Catholic vs Illinois Valley Central	Bloomington Central Catholic 35-7	Bloomington Central Catholic 42-0	Bloomington Central Catholic 45-6

Prairie Central vs Pontiac	Pontiac 21-14	Prairie Central 24-12	Prairie Central 28-14

St. Joseph-Ogden vs Paxton-Buckley-Loda	St. Joseph-Ogden 35-21	St. Joseph-Ogden 54-6	St. Joseph-Ogden 50-20

Monticello vs Unity	Unity 28-21	Unity 22-19	Unity 28-21

Rantoul vs Mattoon	Mattoon 28-14	Mattoon 18-12	Mattoon 35-14

Monticello receiver Zeke Young makes a catch in playoff game against Unity

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

TOLONO - Monticello's Zeke Young hauls in a pass during his team's second-round playoff game against Unity. Young sprinted to the goal line to give the Sages a 13-0 first-quarter lead. Young, now a senior, returns to Hicks Field on Friday, hoping to avenge last year's 21-20 playoff loss to the Rockets. Both Monticello and Unity opened their 2026 campaign with win in Week 1 competition.

	The Sentinel	Coltrane	Scotty P
Central Catholic vs Illinois Valley Central	Bloomington Central Catholic 35-12	Bloomington Central Catholic 55-0	Bloomington Central Catholic 42-6

Prairie Central vs Pontiac	Prairie Central 36-21	Prairie Central 32-14	Prairie Central 28-14

St. Joseph-Ogden vs Paxton-Buckley-Loda	St. Joseph-Ogden 42-12	St. Joseph-Ogden 41-14	St. Joseph-Ogden 63-14

Monticello vs Mattoon	Unity 28-21	Unity 27-14	Unity 14-7

Rantoul vs Mattoon	Mattoon 21-20	Rantoul 26-12	Rantoul 28-7

Week 1 Illini Prairie Conference Scores

Unity 30, Rantoul 8
Monticello 26, Illinois Valley Central 6
Central Catholic 41, Paxton-Buckley-Loda 0
Coal City 40, Pontiac 6
St. Joseph-Ogden 64, Prairie Central 20

Friday Night Forecast Standings

1. Coltrane (5-0)
1. DoubleJ (5-0)
1. Best Look Magazine (5-0)
1. SCOTTY P (5-0)
1. Sagesrunner (5-0)
1. Frank (5-0)
1. Bement Bulldogs (5-0)
1. Steve (5-0)
1. The Sentinel (5-0)

See the panel's Week 1 predictions

Look back at some of our previous Friday Night Forecasts

Varsity Snapshot |
Unity's Carter Schmid

Sentinel area volleyball scores for August 31

Photo Gallery |
Unity falls to Monticello in Friday night thriller

You pick 'em |
Week 3 Illini Prairie football predictions

Heyworth improves to 2-0 after 58-6 rout of Clinton

Area football scores for August 28

Illini Prairie Conference Scores

Other area scores

Scores from around the state

Player of the Game |
Wedig turns six catches into 3 TDs

Notebook |
SJO golf second at quad meet, Hoeing scores first goal for Unity

Volleyball

Soccer

Golf

Player of the Game |
Jameson Ennis powers St. Joseph-Ogden defense with 10-tackle performance

Illini Prairie Conference |
Unbeaten Sages and Rockets square off on Friday

Friday Night Forecast |
Week 2 Illini Prairie Conference football predictions

Week 1 Illini Prairie Conference Scores

Friday Night Forecast Standings

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