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

Rockets' title quest stopped short in epic Class 3A battle

Unity and Byron delivered a championship matchup for the ages, breaking 10 records in a 56-50 Byron win. The Rockets’ passing attack and the Tigers’ rushing game rewrote IHSA history.

Unity quarterback Dane Eisenmenger avoids being tackled by a Byron defender

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Unity's Dane Eisenmenger avoids a sack attempt from Byron's Zion Gautier during first quarter action in the Class 3A championship game at Hancock Stadium. The All-State quarterback passed for 541 yards against the Tigers.

NORMAL - Records didn’t just fall during Friday’s Class 3A state championship — they shattered in waves. Ten IHSA marks were rewritten in a game that roared from start to finish, delivering an offensive spectacle unlike anything the title stage had seen, before coming down to a single fourth-and-goal throw with 16 seconds left. Byron held its ground in the final moments, denying Unity at the goal line to close out a 56-50 thriller that instantly joins the list of all-time great championship finishes.

The teams combined for 106 points, breaking the previous title-game scoring record of 89 set in 2006 when St. Joseph-Ogden and Plano traded blows in another classic shootout. Their 1,211 total yards also set a new 3A championship standard, with Unity responsible for 652 of them — a new team record. Individually, the numbers were just as staggering. Byron running back Cade Considine ran for 371 yards, a new championship record, and finished with 430 all-purpose yards. Unity quarterback Dane Eisenmenger broke five marks of his own: 541 passing yards, seven touchdowns, 42 completions and 65 attempts. Tyler Henry set the new receptions record with 16 and added three scores.

Despite entering the week labeled the underdog, Unity kept swinging. The Rockets led 29-28 at halftime and went toe-to-toe with a Byron team making its third straight title-game appearance. The Tigers, who have reached the championship every other year since 2021, completed another perfect 14-0 season and extended their streak of title wins to three — 2021, 2023 and now 2025.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Virtually unstoppable, Byron's Caden Considine runs the ball for a Tiger first down.

Considine’s performance carried Byron throughout the night. “I think he saved his best for last,” head coach Jeff Boyer said. “He has been a great player here at Byron. Maybe one of the best who has ever played here. He’s a kid that wasn’t going to let us lose.”

While leaning on their dependable ground attack, Byron junior Andrew Talbert provided timely support through the air, completing four of five passes for 98 yards, though he did throw one interception.

Eisenmenger’s record-breaking night was fueled by his trio of reliable targets, each showing exceptional hands and speed. Tyler Henry led the Unity receiving corps with 16 catches for 160 yards and three touchdowns. Tre Hoggard added two scores and a game-high 189 yards on 12 receptions, while Mason O’Neill joined the 100-yard group with six catches for 130 yards and two touchdowns.

Unity was held scoreless in the third quarter but made a furious charge late. Down 56-43 with 6:01 left, Eisenmenger tossed a six-yard touchdown that cut the deficit to six with 2:00 remaining. The Rockets then executed a perfect onside kick and recovered at the Byron 45, pushing the stadium into full suspense. Eisenmenger guided Unity to a first-and-goal, and two plays later the Rockets stood on the 13-yard line after a costly penalty.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Unity kick off team celebrates the recovery of an onside kick on the 49-yard line in the fourth quarter. With two minutes left to play, the Rockets had a minute and 46 seconds to at least tie the score or win the game outright, and came up short after 13 plays.

With the season down to one snap, Eisenmenger rolled right and fired toward the end zone. Considine, playing linebacker, read the play and broke up the pass, sealing the Tigers’ victory and leaving Unity inches short — just as St. Joseph-Ogden had been in its memorable 2006 duel.

“I never had a doubt that we would be with them right there to the end,” first-year Unity head coach Tony Reetz said. “These kids have given us no reason to believe that we were ever out of the game. These guys have battled all year long. They’ve been on the ropes before. We came out on top, obviously. There was just one game we came up one play short.”

Unity finishes its season 12-2, earning the school’s seventh runner-up trophy — and its first in the Reetz era following six under longtime coach Scott Hamilton. It was a game that pushed boundaries, rewrote history, and ended with the Rockets leaving everything they had on the field.

IHSA 3A championship record game, Unity vs Byron 2025 football, Illinois high school football title history, high-scoring IHSA playoff games, Byron Tigers state championship

Photo of the Day |
The Keegan krush, Germano delivering the hits

Keegan Germano lays a big hit on Monticello's Maddox Utley

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

TOLONO - Unity's Keegan Germano lays out Monticello's Maddox Utley in a play in the first quarter during their IHSA second-round playoff game on November 8, 2025. The Rockets defeated the Sages at Hicks Field in an exciting matchup between two Illini Prairie teams 21-20. Advancing to the quarterfinals, Unity went on the road to face Williams and cruised to victory in the first half, setting up a semifinal showdown with St. Joseph-Ogden. Germano's defensive effort all season has been the cornerstone to the Rockets' 11-1 season.

TAGS: Unity Rockets defeat Monticello, IHSA Second-Round Football game, Illini Prairie Conference rivals Monticello and Unity, Monticello football, Unity Rockets football team.

Unity crushes Golden Aces, playoff rematch set for Saturday against the Monticello Sages

The Rockets rolled over Mt. Carmel in the first round and now prepare for a revenge-fueled playoff rematch with the Monticello Sages at Hicks Field.

Unity's Colton Langendorf celebrates a sack

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Unity's Colton Langendorf celebrates after putting Mt. Carmel quarteback River Deisher on the turf for a stop during first half action of their Class 3A first-round playoff game. Langendorf was a beast, leading the defensive unit to hold the Golden Aces to just 208 yards in the Rockets' seventh consecutive win.

by Clark Brooks

Sentinel Sports

TOLONO - The echoes of last November still linger in Tolono. A bitter 23-20 semifinal loss to Monticello ended Unity’s state title dreams and sent the Sages to the Class 3A championship game. Now, nearly a year later, the Rockets are rocketing toward redemption - and the rematch is set.

Unity made that clear Saturday afternoon at Hicks Field, where the fourth-seeded Rockets (9-1) dismantled Mt. Carmel 42-14 in a first-round playoff rout that felt over before it began.

Tyler Henry celebrates a second-quarter pass TD

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Unity's Tyler Henry celebrates his 46-yard TD catch in the east end zone at Hicks Field. The score came after his 35-yard pick-six less than two minutes earlier in the second quarter.

On a sun-splashed Saturday at Hicks Field, the Unity Rockets didn’t just win a playoff game - they made a statement. From the opening kickoff, it was clear that this wasn’t going to be one of those nail-biters fans talk about years later. It was domination, pure and simple, wrapped in maroon and white. The Rockets scored on their second play from scrimmage - just 28 seconds into the game - and never looked back, building a 42-0 halftime lead before turning the second half into a showcase for their freshman squad.

The win marked Unity’s seventh straight and punched their ticket to a second-round showdown with fifth-seeded Monticello, a rivalry game steeped in history, heartbreak, and high stakes.

But before we get there, though, the Rockets had business to take care of first. Let’s rewind to Saturday’s statement win.

Fast Start, Furious Finish

Crewe Eckstein wasted no time setting the tone. The junior running back sliced through the Golden Aces defense for a 21-yard touchdown run on Unity’s opening possession, then added a second score minutes later on a 10-yard burst. By the end of the first quarter, Unity led 21-0.

Tre Hoggard added to the fireworks with an 18-yard touchdown run in the first frame, then hauled in a 47-yard over-the-shoulder strike from quarterback Dane Eisenmenger in the second quarter. Eisenmenger was nearly perfect, completing 6 of 7 passes, while Hoggard finished with three catches for 70 yards.

Tyler Henry delivered the exclamation point before halftime. With 2:17 left in the second quarter, the senior intercepted a Mt. Carmel pass and sprinted 35 yards to the end zone, igniting the Unity bench and student section. Henry had already scored earlier on a 46-yard reception and finished with 55 yards on two catches.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Golden Aces' Jack Webb makes a leaping catch despite tight coverage by Rockets' Brayden Henry. Webb, a senior, finished the last game of his prep career with just three yards rushing on two touches and six yards on this catch.

Defense Dominates

Unity’s defense was relentless. The Rockets held Mt. Carmel to just 208 total yards on 48 plays - a stark contrast to Unity’s 306 yards on 34 plays. Chason Daly recorded two sacks, Desmond Winfrey added a tackle for loss, and Graydin Cler snagged an interception to cap a suffocating defensive effort.

Mt. Carmel’s lone bright spot came in the second half against Unity’s JV unit. Senior Elliott Acree led the Golden Aces (5-5) with 83 all-purpose yards, including a 22-yard reception and 61 rushing yards on 13 carries. Jack Webb and Owen Blake each scored late touchdowns, but the damage had long been done.

Looking Ahead: Monticello Awaits

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Tre Hoggard runs the ball for a Unity touchdown in the first half. The senior rolled up 24 yards rushing and 70 receiving yards. Hoggard and the Rockets turn to defeating Illini Prairie foe Monticello for a second time this season.

The last time the two teams met, Unity rolled to a 34-7 win on the road in their regular season contest back in September. But the memory of last year’s semifinal heartbreak, when Monticello edged Unity 23-20 to reach the state title game, still lingers and there is redemption that needs to be settled.

Last November, nearly 50 weeks ago, Monticello stunned Unity on the last play of the game on their home field, sending the Sages to the state final. Saturday, with revenge and redemption on the line, the Rockets are will put the 2024 game behind them once and for all.

Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. Saturday at Hicks Field, where the fence line is expected to be packed three deep with fans, for an Illini Prairie team advance to a quarterfinal game.

TAGGED: Unity Rockets playoff football, IHSA Class 3A second round, Unity vs Monticello rivalry, Tolono Illinois high school sports, Unity Rockets dominate Mt. Carmel 42-14, Unity football wins

Friday Night Forecast |
Week 9 Illini Prairie Conference football predictions

Here are Week 9 predictions from Illini Prairie football pundits for this edition of The Sentinel’s Friday Night Forecast.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

ST. JOSEPH - Lucas Smith boots the ball on kickoff for the Spartans. Smith and 15 other seniors will be honored tonight before the start of the Spartans' home game against Pontiac.

Week 9 predictions

Illini Prairie Game of the Week
Rantoul vs Illinois Valley Central

Sara C: Illinois Valley Central .::. 36-12
Alan: Illinois Valley Central .::. 45-20
Denise: Illinois Valley Central .::. 21-0
Denise J: Illinois Valley Central .::. 21-14
J: Illinois Valley Central .::. 18-6
Mike Roy: Illinois Valley Central .::. 24-7
C: Illinois Valley Central .::. 32-0
Brooks Look: Rantoul .::. 21-14

Monticello vs Paxton-Buckley-Loda

Sara C: Paxton-Buckley-Loda .::. 32-27
Alan: Monticello .::. 35-14
Denise: Monticello .::. 28-7
Denise J: Monticello .::. 36-14
J: Monticello .::. 24-22
Mike Roy: Monticello .::. 27-7
C: Paxton-Buckley-Loda .::. 21-18
Brooks Look: Monticello .::. 28-21

Central Catholic vs Prairie Central

Sara C: Central Catholic .::. 48-27
Alan: Central Catholic .::. 42-17
Denise: Central Catholic .::. 42-14
Denise J: Central Catholic .::. 67-24
J: Central Catholic .::. 42-7
Mike Roy: Central Catholic .::. 55-7
C: Central Catholic .::. 67-14
Brooks Look: Central Catholic .::. 56-7

St. Joseph-Ogden vs Pontiac

Sara C: St. Joseph-Ogden .::. 48-21
Alan: St. Joseph-Ogden .::. 52-10
Denise: St. Joseph-Ogden .::. 56-7
Denise J: St. Joseph-Ogden .::. 42-27
J: St. Joseph-Ogden .::. 42-26
Mike Roy: St. Joseph-Ogden .::. 35-6
C: St. Joseph-Ogden .::. 32-21
Brooks Look: St. Joseph-Ogden .::. 42-16

Unity @ Mt. Vernon

Sara C: Unity .::. 30-27
Alan: Unity .::. 49-28
Denise: Mt. Vernon .::. 28-21
Denise J: Unity .::. 48-12
J: Unity .::. 34-7
Mike Roy: Unity .::. 46-14
C: Unity .::. 32-0
Brooks Look: Unity .::. 36-28

Last week's Illini Prairie Conference scores

Seneca 39, St. Joseph-Ogden 36
Unity 48, Illinois Valley Central 14
Paxton-Buckley-Loda 46, Rantoul 0
Central Catholic 48, Pontiac 21
Monticello 18, Prairie Central 14

Week 8 Results

Rank	Name	Record	Notes
1	Mike Roy	5-0	Week 8 winner!!!
2	J	4-1	5-way tie
2	Denise	4-1	5-way tie
2	Alan	4-1	5-way tie
2	Sara	4-1	5-way tie
2	Brooks Look	4-1	5-way tie

Cumulative Standings (After Week 8)

Rank	Name	Total Record	Wins	Notes
1	Brooks Look	33-7	2	Week 2 & 5 winner
2	Denise	30-10	0
2	Alan	30-10	1	Week 7 winner
4	Sara	26-9	1	Week 3 winner
5	J	25-5	2	Week 1 & 4 winner
6	Lyman	10-5	0
7	Mike Roy	10-0	2	Week 6 & 8 Winner
8	Frank	7-3	0
9	Denise J	5-0	0	New participant this week
10	Keith	3-2	0

TAGS: Illini Prairie Conference weekly football predictions, Week 9 SJO football predictions, Prairie Central Hawks football predictions this week, IHSA football prediction for the IPC

Pick your Week 9 Illini Prairie Conference football winners

Jameson Ennis play defense for the SJO football team

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

ST. JOSEPH - Spartans' defensive lineman Jameson Ennis shucks off a Monticello offensive lineman J.D. Bailey trying to shutdown a drive in the second half. SJO (4-4), suffering their first three-game slide since the 2021 season, needs a win over Pontiac (2-5) this Friday if they hope to find a spot in the 2025 playoffs.

Illini Prairie Conference scores

Seneca 39, St. Joseph-Ogden 36
Unity 48, Illinois Valley Central 14
Paxton-Buckley-Loda 46, Rantoul 0
Central Catholic 48, Pontiac 21
Monticello 18, Prairie Central 14

Week 8 Results

Rank	Name	Record	Notes
1	Mike Roy	5-0	Week 8 winner!!!
2	J	4-1	5-way tie
2	Denise	4-1	5-way tie
2	Alan	4-1	5-way tie
2	Sara	4-1	5-way tie
2	Brooks Look	4-1	5-way tie

Cumulative Standings (After Week 8)

Rank	Name	Total Record	Wins	Notes
1	Brooks Look	33-7	2	Week 2 & 5 winner
2	Denise	30-10	0
2	Alan	30-10	1	Week 7 winner
4	Sara	26-9	1	Week 3 winner
5	J	25-5	2	Week 1 & 4 winner
6	Lyman	10-5	0
7	Mike Roy	10-0	2	Week 6 & 8 Winner
8	Frank	7-3	0
9	Denise J	5-0	0	New participant this week
10	Keith	3-2	0

TAGS: Illini Prairie Conference weekly football predictions, Week 9 SJO football predictions, Prairie Central Hawks football predictions this week, IHSA football prediction for the IPC

Week 8 IHSA football scores from around the state

Marquan Dunn unloads a deep pass in the Urbana Tigers home game

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

URBANA - Urbana's Marquan Dunn looks to throw a deep pass during the Tigers' 2025 opener against St. Teresa. Facing Peoria Manual for their Senior Night opponent, the Urbana football program won their first game since the fall of 2021, beating the Rams big, 42-26.

Illini Prairie Conference scores

Seneca 39, St. Joseph-Ogden 36
Unity 48, Illinois Valley Central 14
Paxton-Buckley-Loda 46, Rantoul 0
Central Catholic 48, Pontiac 21
Monticello 18, Prairie Central 14

Big Twelve Conference scores

Peoria 42, Bloomington 14
Normal West 34, Champaign Central 14
Normal Community 56, Champaign Centennial 6
Danville 41, Richwoods 22
Urbana 42, Peoria Manual 26

Scores from around the state

Civic Memorial 21, Jersey 7
Waterloo 21, Triad 14
Highland 13, Mascoutah 10
Roxana 55, East Alton-Wood River 0
Breese Central 41, Columbia 8
Freeburg 45, Salem 18
Carlinville 35, Hillsboro 28
Staunton 27, Gillespie 8
Greenville 42, Southwestern 13
Vandalia 49, North Mac 0
Pana 63, Litchfield 21
Greenfield 35, Concord Triopia 12
Brown County 63, North Greene 0
West Central 58, Mendon Unity 50
Camp Point Central 60, Pleasant Hill 8
St. Louis St. Mary’s 23, Belleville Althoff 0
Cahokia 34, Collinsville 14
Doniphan (Mo.) 21, Granite City 13
Breese Mater Dei 65, Decatur St. Teresa 39
Chester 42, Red Bud 18
Wesclin 34, Carlyle 0
Dupo 29, Sparta 23
Amboy 68, West Prairie 8
Andrew 47, DeKalb 28
Annawan-Wethersfield 42, ROWVA-Williamsfield 6
Arlington Heights Hersey 38, Mt Prospect Prospect 34
Athens 29, New Berlin 27
Aurora Christian 28, Wheaton Academy 27
Barrington 42, Schaumburg 0
Batavia 31, St Charles East 13
Benton 56, Pinckneyville 7
Bradley-Bourbonnais 35, Lincoln Way West 13
Brother Rice 48, St. Laurence 6
Byron 77, Rockford Lutheran 0
Carterville 28, Murphysboro 7
Cary-Grove 40, Hampshire 7
Central 41, Crystal Lake Central 6
Central 44, Iroquois West 8
Central 60, Pleasant Hill 8
Centralia 48, Mt Vernon 44
Coal City 56, Herscher 7
Crete-Monee 52, Bloom 7
Danville 41, Richwoods 22
Deer Creek-Mackinaw 28, Lexington 19
Dixon 65, Streator 0
Downers Grove South 42, Leyden 3
Du Quoin 28, Nashville 18
Effingham 36, Mattoon 16
Elk Grove 10, Buffalo Grove 4
Erie-Prophetstown 27, Mendota 14
Fairfield 56, Christopher 12
Flanagan-Cornell 42, Peoria Heights 30
Flora 39, Hamilton County 23
Fremd 23, Palatine 13
Galena 46, Dakota 6
Galva 50, Ridgewood 44
Genoa-Kingston 62, Rock Falls 6
Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley 34, Fieldcrest 6
Glenbard East 21, Glenbard South 14
Glenwood 35, Sacred Heart-Griffin 31
Grant 54, Grayslake Central 20
Harrisburg 14, Herrin 7
Heyworth 30, Tuscola 14
Homewood-Flossmoor 29, Naperville Central 10
Huntley 48, McHenry 36
Illini West 42, United 22
Jacksonville 36, MacArthur 33
Johnsburg 24, Woodstock 21
Joliet West 31, Plainfield Central 7
Kaneland 23, La Salle-Peru 21
Lakes 35, Grayslake North 0
Libertyville 31, Lake Forest 6
Lincoln Way Central 37, Aurora Waubonsie Valley 3
Lockport 34, Aurora Metea Valley 21
Lyons 24, Downers Grove North 20
Macomb 42, Elmwood 13
Mahomet-Seymour 49, Charleston 0
Manteno 25, Peotone 20
Marion 39, Carbondale 35
Marist 51, Aurora Marmion 6
Metamora 63, East Peoria 20
Milledgeville 54, Alden-Hebron 22
Momence 44, Watseka 19
Monticello 18, Prairie Central 14
Morris 50, Sycamore 10
Morrison 31, Fulton 21
Morton 20, Dunlap 19
Mt. Carmel 35, Marshall 0
Naperville North 14, Lincoln-Way East 6
Nazareth 42, Benet 14
Newton 34, Lawrenceville 20
Oakwood 28, Salt Fork 7
Olney 28, Casey-Westfield 27
Olympia 54, Pleasant Plains 13
Orangeville 56, Christian Life 29
Oswego 33, Oswego East 21
PORTA 38, Riverton 8
Paris 41, Robinson 19
Pawnee 21, Metro-East Lutheran 20
Paxton-Buckley-Loda 46, Rantoul 0
Peoria 42, Bloomington 20
Peoria Notre Dame 47, St Bede 13
Pittsfield 34, Auburn 21
Plainfield South 49, Joliet Central 0
Polo 54, Kirkland Hiawatha 14
Princeville 48, Stark County 7
Providence 48, Marian Catholic 13
Richards 54, Lemont 27
Richmond-Burton 42, Marengo 13
Ridgewood 35, Bensenville Fenton 27
Riverdale 34, Hall 25
Riverside-Brookfield 31, West Chicago 14
Rochelle 42, Ottawa 3
Rochester 55, Springfield 10
Rock Island 41, Galesburg 6
Rockridge 48, Monmouth-Roseville 12
Rolling Meadows 63, Wheeling 0
Sandburg 24, Neuqua Valley 21
Saxony Lutheran, Mo. 42, Massac County 27
Seneca 39, St Joseph-Ogden 36
Sesser-Valier 24, Eldorado 20
St Charles North 31, Glenbard North 20
St. Francis 35, DePaul 14
Sterling 38, Quincy 17
Stockton 18, Durand-Pecatonica 14
T.F. North 31, T.F. South 12
Tri-Valley 50, Shelbyville 6
Unity 48, Illinois Valley Central 14
University 50, Southeast 14
Urbana 42, Manual 26
Vernon Hills 14, Maine West 7
Warren 27, Lake Zurich 17
Washington 48, Canton 12
Wauconda 25, Antioch 20
West Carroll 41, South Beloit 22
West Central 59, Bushnell-Prairie City 36
West Hancock 48, Bureau Valley 12
Westville 59, Hoopeston 0
Wheaton North 21, Geneva 20
Wilmington 54, Reed-Custer 6
York 21, Glenbard West 20

TAGS: Illinois high school football scores in October, Week 8 IHSA football results, Urbana wins first game in two years, SJO loses tight game to Seneca on the road, Wilmington crushes Reed-Custer

Friday Night Forecast |
Here's how tonight's Illini Prairie team will fare

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

BLOOMINGTON - Central Catholic quarterback Valshun Powe carries the ball for a first down against St. Joseph-Ogden last Friday. The Saints averaged two TDs per quarter to beat the visiting Spartans 67-28. BCC is on the road tonight against Pontiac.

Here are Week 8 predictions from Illini Prairie football pundits for this edition of The Sentinel’s Friday Night Forecast.

URBANA - Each week, we invite Illini Prairie Conference fans to predict the winners from conference matchups. New experts are welcome every week. Below is what this week's team of experts think they have figured out.

Week 8 predictions

Illini Prairie Game of the Week
Paxton-Buckley-Loda vs Rantoul

Denise: Paxton-Buckley-Loda .::. 63-21
J: Paxton-Buckley-Loda .::. 27-7
Alan: Paxton-Buckley-Loda .::. 38-7
Sara C: Paxton-Buckley-Loda .::. 38-21
Mike Roy: Paxton-Buckley-Loda .::. 35-7

Brooks Look: The Panthers might not make it to 4-4 overall if they fall asleep on the Eagles.

Paxton-Buckley-Loda 42, Rantoul 21

Monticello @ Prairie Central

Denise: Monticello .::. 28-7
J: Monticello .::. 33-18
Alan: Prairie Central .::. 35-21
Sara C: Monticello .::. 28-27
Mike Roy: Monticello .::. 21-13

Brooks Look: The Sages doing Sages stuff, secure a spot in the playoffs.

Monticello 35, Prarie Central 14

Unity @ Illinois Valley Central

Denise: Unity .::. 32-14
J: Unity .::. 50-0
Alan: Unity .::. 31-20
Sara C: Unity .::. 38-21
Mike Roy: Unity .::. 47-0

Brooks Look: The playoff eligible Rockets will use this game to tighten up their defensive execution and get a lot of young players on the field in the second half.

Unity 49, Illinois Valley Central 7

Central Catholic @ Pontiac

Denise: Central Catholic .::. 54-14
J: Central Catholic .::. 46-7
Alan: Central Catholic .::. 42-14
Sara C: Central Catholic .::. 60-14
Mike Roy: Central Catholic .::. 63-7

Brooks Look: The undefeated Saints are just two games away from duplicating SJO's perfect 2024 IPC season. At this point, there is no reason to believe they can't do it.

Central Catholic 35, Pontiac 7

St. Joseph-Ogden @ Seneca

Denise: St. Joseph-Ogden .::. 42-28
J: Seneca .::. 49-28
Alan: St. Joseph-Ogden .::. 28-24
Sara C: St. Joseph-Ogden .::. 32-20
Mike Roy: Seneca .::. 56-14

Brooks Look: For a second straight week, the Spartans face another undefeated team. Seneca has scored at least 35 points per contest this season. SJO has struggled to score in the second half in their last three games and it feels like this week, the second-half drought is finally over with Wyatt Wertz back on the field.

St. Joseph-Ogden 28, Seneca 21

Week 7 Results

Rank	Name	Record	Notes
1	Alan	5-0	Week 7 winner via tiebreak!!!
2	J	5-0	3-way tie
2	Denise	5-0	3-way tie
2	Denise J	5-0	3-way tie
5	Sara	4-1	2-way tie
5	Brooks Look	4-1	2-way tie

Cumulative Standings (After Week 7)

Rank	Name	Total Record	Wins	Notes
1	Brooks Look	29-6	2	Week 2 & 5 winner
2	Denise	26-9	0
2	Alan	26-9	1	Week 7 winner
4	Sara	22-8	1	Week 3 winner
5	J	21-4	2	Week 1 & 4 winner
6	Lyman	10-5	0
7	Frank	7-3	0
8	Denise J	5-0	0	New participant this week
8	Mike Roy	5-0	1	Week 6 Winner!
10	Keith	3-2	0

TAGS: Week 8 Illini Prairie football, Weekly IPC football predictions, SJO football, Unity football predictions, IHSA high school football predictions

Week 7 Illini Prairie football, submit your Friday Night Forecast predictions

SJO's Lane McKinney dives in to break up a pass play

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

St. Joseph-Ogden's Lane McKinney dives in to break up a Unity pass play to Brayden Henry during their regular season game last month. SJO (5-1) takes on undefeated Bloomington Central Catholic this week while the Rockets (5-1) host Paxton-Buckley-Loda (3-3) for senior night.

Illini Prairie Conference scores

Unity 46, Prairie Central 7
Paxton-Buckley-Loda 38, Illinois Valley Central 30
Pontiac 42, Rantoul 22
Monticello 28, St. Joseph-Ogden 21
Central Catholic 61, St. Teresa 21

Week 6 Results

Rank	Name	Record	Notes
1	Mike Roy	5-0	Week 6 winner
2	Alan	4-1	3-way tie
2	Sara	4-1	3-way tie
2	Brooks Look	4-1	3-way tie
5	Frank	3-2	2-way tie
5	Denise	3-2	2-way tie

Cumulative Standings (After Week 6)

Rank	Name	Total Record	Wins	Notes
1	Brooks Look	25-5	2	Week 2 & 5 winner
2	Denise	21-9	0
2	Alan	21-9	0
4	Sara	18-7	1	Week 3 winner
5	J	16-4	2	Week 1 & 4 winner
6	Lyman	10-5	0
7	Frank	7-3	0
8	Mike Roy	5-0	0	Week 6 Winner!
9	Keith	3-2	0

Cumulative Standings Win % (After Week 6)

Rank	Name	Precentage
1	Mike Roy	100%
2	Brooks Look	83.33%
3	J	80%
4	Sara	72%
5	Alan	70%
5	Denise	70%
5	Frank	70%
8	Lyman	66.67%
9	Keith	60%

TAGS: Weekly Illini Prairie Conference football predictions, Week 7 SJO football predictions, Unity football predictions this week, IHSA football predictions this season

Illini Prairie Football
Week 2 Friday Night Forecast

PBL's Dameion Olivero tries to tackle Kodey McKinney

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

ST. JOSEPH - Spartan quarterback Kodey McKinney runs by Paxton-Buckley-Loda middle linebacker Dameion Olivero during their 2024 regular season finale. The Panthers return to Dick Duval Field searching for the first victory of the season and retribution for last season's 42-14 loss to St. Joseph-Ogden in their Week 2 game on Friday.

Submit your picks for this week's forecast and see how your calls stack up against other Illini Prairie Conference football fans. Drop back by OurSentinel.com Friday morning to see which teams are predicted to win as they work to qualify for this year's state football playoffs.

Loading…

Leaderboard:

Rank	Player	Overall Record	Contest Wins	Notes
1	J	5-0	1	Week 1 Winner
2	Sara	5-0	0	Perfect start, lost tiebreaker
3	Brooks Look	4-1	0	Strong debut
4	Denise	4-1	0	Solid opening week
5	Alan	3-2	0	Winning record

Previous predictions:

Week 1 Predictions / Week 1 Results

Illini Prairie Football
Week 1 Friday Night Forecast

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 last November. The senior announced his commitment on August 1 to continue is football career for the Mules of the University of Central Missouri.

URBANA - High school football season is here, and we’re kicking off something new for our readers — Friday Night Forecast. Each week, we’ll highlight the top Illini Prairie Conference matchups and invite you to put your football instincts to the test.

Less reliable than the weatherman, but twice as fun, join us in predicting the Illini Prairie Conference wins and upsets. May your predictions be slightly more accurate than a coin flip!

With the opening kickoff for the conference just two weeks away, we've opened up voting early to see who IPC fans think will start their 2025 campaign with the 'dub'.

Think you can spot the upsets before they happen? Ready to back your hometown team with more than just school spirit?

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 OurSentinell.com Friday morning to see which teams are predicted to win as they work to qualify for this year's state football playoffs.

Unity football coach announces retirement after 31 seasons

Unity head coach Scott Hamilton talks to players after their home game against Althoff Catholic on September 20, 2024. After the game, Hamilton said the eventual Class 1A state champions was the best team his program has faced on the gridiron. See 19 more photos of Hamilton from his final season below.

All photos: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

TOLONO - The end of an era has come. Unity head football coach Scott Hamilton announced today that he will retire from the helm of Central Illinois' football powerhouse.

He made his future plans known via a post on social media thanking the school board, community, all the players he coached the past 31 years, and, of course, his family. He said his future plans included spending more time with his family, golfing, and the Florida sun.

Hamilton took the reigns to the Rockets' football program starting 1994, amassing a record of 291 wins against 74 losses in his 31-year tenure. He guided Unity to six state championship games, starting in 2000 in Class 2A, and made five more appearances in Class 3A in 2005, 2009, 2012, 2015, and 2021. In all five cases, his team finished with runner-up trophies.

Thanks to Hamilton, Unity won its first playoff game back in the 1996 season, knocking off St. Joseph-Ogden in a 42-6 thrashing. The contest cemented the intense legendary rivalry between the two programs that continues to this day. The Rockets went on to finish 11-1 after the quarterfinal loss.

Under the Roxana native and 2017 Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Famer, Unity has seen just one losing season. In 2018, the Rockets finished 4-5. The only other year the team missed the playoffs was in the spring 2021 season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.