Unity suffers loss at home in defensive battle to Cissna Park
TOLONO - The Unity Rockets girls basketball team fell short in a 36-25 loss to the visiting Cissna Park Timberwolves on Tuesday night, as offensive struggles and strong defensive pressure from the Timberwolves denied the team a home win in the non-conference contest at the Rocket Center.
Unity started strong, leading 9-8 after the first quarter, thanks to early contributions from Lauren Haas and Claire Meharry. Haas tallied four points in the opening period, while Meharry added five. However, Cissna Park adjusted in the second quarter, taking a 17-12 halftime lead behind the steady play of Lauryn Hamrick and Addison Lucht.
The Timberwolves maintained control in the second half, outscoring Unity 19-13 over the final two quarters. Hamrick led all scorers with 11 points, going 5-for-8 from the free-throw line. Lucht chipped in nine points, including an efficient 5-for-6 performance at the stripe.
Meharry finished with a team-high nine points for Unity, while Haas added seven, converting 33% of her attempts. The Rockets struggled offensively, shooting just 25% (10-for-40) from the field and 50% from the free-throw line.
The loss drops Unity to 4-3 on the season, marking their second consecutive defeat. The Rockets will look to rebound Wednesday night when they host Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond (ALAH) at the Rocket Center. Cissna Park improves to 5-1 with the win, continuing their strong start.
One for the record book, Unity nearly pulls off underdog victory over Althoff
TOLONO - Unity head football coach Scott Hamilton said Althoff Catholic (4-0) was the best team he has coached against in his career.
Hamilton told the team after the game that, having coached over 400 games, there has only been a handful in which he thought every player on the field would have to play at their absolute best to even have a chance of winning. Friday night's game against Althoff, which brought three Division I recruits to town, was one of those occasions.
The Rockets' roster (2-2) proved they were up to the task in the 53-52 loss to the Crusaders.
It was a record-breaking game for the Rockets.
Taking advantage of Unity's overflowing stable of receivers, Unity quarterback Dane Eisenmenger, who already led the passing stats with a 455-yard game against Mt. Carmel last year, finished with a career and program best of 543 yards. Eisenmenger completed 27 of his 42 passes against the Crusaders.
Receiver Tre Hoggard amassed a program-best 266 receiving yards, breaking a 34-year-old record held by Jeff Vail, who had 219 yards during Unity's 1990 game against Schlarman.
Unity's offense also reset the mark for the most yards in a game from 639 yards to 666 yards, of which 543 were produced thanks to their stable of seven sticky-fingered receivers.
To date, Friday night's game was the highest-scoring game ever played at Hicks Field. The combined score of 105 points exceeded both Unity's 61-42 win over Pontiac in 2017 and last year's 56-46 semifinal playoff loss to Mt. Carmel.
Althoff, which lost its semifinal game to eventual 1A winners Camp Point Central in 2023, was led in scoring by 5-foot-11, 188-pound Oregon commit Dierre Hill Jr. Hill ran for 255 yards and caught four passes for 48 yards. The senior scored five touchdowns, the last on a nine-yard pass to set up the Crusaders' game-winning two-point conversion with seven seconds left in the non-conference contest.
Hill scored his first two touchdowns in the first quarter, the first on a 68-yard gallop six and a half minutes into the game and the second on a five-yard run nearly four minutes later to give Althoff a 14-0 lead. "Honestly, he is the best player I've ever coached against in 33 years," Hamilton said. "There is a reason that kid is going to Oregon." With just over two minutes left in the first quarter, Eisenmenger hit a wide-open Tre Hoggard on a 31-yard pass play, closing the scoring gap to one touchdown after the extra point by Emmerson Bailey. Althoff responded with another touchdown courtesy of a 36-yard run from Jayden Ellington, leaving 21 seconds and a 21-7 score on the board in the east end zone.
Like two prizefighters throwing heavy hands and neither backing down, Unity put the ball in the east end zone again as time ran out. Garrett Richardson sprinted 76 yards to make the score 21-14. Unity and Althoff continued to slug it out, both teams scoring two touchdowns in the second quarter to start the second half at 35-21. "I give a lot of credit to our kids. We had so guys go out with cramping and few things here and there," Hamilton said, proud of how well his team played against an obviously talent program. "We had other guys step up and just kept battling. I just don't have enough great things to say about our kids, our coaches, our plan, and how the kids executed." He add, "We just wanted to keep throwing punches at them and see what we could get."
Hamilton and his staff made some defensive adjustments that held the Crusaders scoreless in the entire third quarter. Meanwhile, the Rocket offense delivered two passing touchdowns to end the third quarter at 35-all.
With the ball spotted around the 27-yard line and unable to pick up a first down, the Rockets called Emerson's number. The senior, who was already 3-for-3 on PATs, booted a 34-yard field goal between the uprights for the go-ahead score, 38-35.
"I'm really glad the pressure didn't get to me," Bailey said. As went out to make the kick, he said he kept his head down and tried not to look at the crowd in order to control the anxiety he was feeling as much as he could. "I didn't look up once. I just put my head down, and did what I do."
In the remaining 10 minutes and 44 seconds left in the game, the Rockets scored two more times via the Eisenmenger-Hoggard connection.
The Crusaders bookended a field goal with two touchdowns from Hill. Hill scored on a 26-yard run and on a nine-yard pass to trail Unity 52-51 with seven seconds remaining in the game. He then went on to score on the two-point conversion for Althoff's road win.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Dane Eisenmenger looks for open receiver under pressure during the first half. A junior, he threw 548 yards, connecting 27 of the 42 attempts for seven touchdowns.
Dierre Hill, Jr. bounce out of the backfield late in the fourth quarter. The elusive Oregon commit was hard to bring down thanks to his incredible balance and ability to change directions on a dime. The senior scored five touchdowns and 11 yards every time he touched the ball. See more Sentinel photos here.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Hill scored his first two touchdowns in the first quarter, the first on a 68-yard gallop six and a half minutes into the game and the second on a five-yard run nearly four minutes later to give Althoff a 14-0 lead. "Honestly, he is the best player I've ever coached against in 33 years," Hamilton said. "There is a reason that kid is going to Oregon." With just over two minutes left in the first quarter, Eisenmenger hit a wide-open Tre Hoggard on a 31-yard pass play, closing the scoring gap to one touchdown after the extra point by Emmerson Bailey. Althoff responded with another touchdown courtesy of a 36-yard run from Jayden Ellington, leaving 21 seconds and a 21-7 score on the board in the east end zone.
Unity's Tre Hoggard out runs Althoff's Lorne Green during the second half. Hoggard finished the game with 266 receiving yards and four TDs on 12 catch. He also tacked on six rushing yards on two carries to his stats on Friday.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Like two prizefighters throwing heavy hands and neither backing down, Unity put the ball in the east end zone again as time ran out. Garrett Richardson sprinted 76 yards to make the score 21-14. Unity and Althoff continued to slug it out, both teams scoring two touchdowns in the second quarter to start the second half at 35-21. "I give a lot of credit to our kids. We had so guys go out with cramping and few things here and there," Hamilton said, proud of how well his team played against an obviously talent program. "We had other guys step up and just kept battling. I just don't have enough great things to say about our kids, our coaches, our plan, and how the kids executed." He add, "We just wanted to keep throwing punches at them and see what we could get."
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Emmerson Bailey celebrates after hitting his 34-yard field goal in the 4th quarter. Bailey, who contributed 10 points in the loss, also went 6-for-6 on PATs.
Unity's Nosler wins IHSA state wrestling title
Unity's Nick Nosler is declared winner after his 195-pound title match with St. Thomas More's Brody Cuppernell at the 2023 IHSA Individual Wrestling State Finals on Saturday. Nosler, who finished as the Sentinel area's top finisher, won the bout by major decision, 11-3. The senior improved to 55-2 on the season after going 4-0 at the State Farm Center. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
TOP LEFT: Nosler scores a takedown on Cuppernell. TOP RIGHT: Smiling for his official IHSA photo, Nick Nosler stands tall at the top of the 195-pound podium on Saturday. BOTTOM: Cuppernell tries to avoid being rolled to his back by Nosler during their title bout. (Photos: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
Brody Cuppernell is rolled to his back by Unity's Nosler. Cuppernell, a junior at St. Thomas More, finished his season with 45 wins and against 6 losses. See more photos of area wrestlers at the state tournament here. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
Photo of the Day | January 12, 2023
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
Rockets fight fall short at Christie Clinic Shootout
ST. JOSEPH - Unity's Henry Thomas drives to the paint into Normal University's Jacob Johnson in their Christie Clinic Shootout game last Saturday. After a nearly even first period of play, U-High outscored the Rockets 20-12 in the second frame and held the lead until the final buzzer. Thomas finished with a team-high 13 points, but it wasn't enough to get past the Pioneers, who won 56-48.
Search by athlete's name, team, school and more
Unity soccer topples Judah Christian
TOLONO -- For the first time in school history, the Unity soccer team beat one of the area's traditionally top small school programs. The Rockets literally pounded Judah Christian on Thursday via 3-1 decision.
Junior Gabe Pound delivered a hattrick, scoring one goal in the first 90 minute period on a feed from Brendan Bachert to give the Rockets a 1-0 lead at the break. After the Tribe's Okeke tied the game at 1-all in the second period, Pound found the net again with an unassisted score and later booted his third one in on a pass from Mason Davis for the hattrick.
Cole Saunders made four saves for the Unity.
The Rockets start a two-match home stand on Monday, hosting Georgetown-Ridge Farm-Chrisman at 4:30p. Twenty-four hours later, coach Michel Stringer's and his squad play their first Illini Prairie match with Bloomington Central Catholic.
Rockets advance in three events at state track
Unity's Ashlyn Denney hands off the baton to teammate Arianna Pruitt-LeFairve while competing in the 4x400 Relay at the Illinois High School Association Track & Field State Finals. The Rockets' time of 4:10.38 qualified the squad for the Class 2A finals in Charleston on Saturday. Unity will have an entry in two other events, including the 4x800 Meter Relay and Kayla Nelson in the 200-Meter Dash. See more Unity Rocket photos from state.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
Search by athlete's name, team, school and more
Prep Sports Notebook: Rockets blank Comets in first home game of the season
Three home runs power Unity over Oakwood
Hailey Flesch, Reece Sarver, and Ruby Tarr hit one home run apiece in the bottom of the third inning to lead Unity past Oakwood 18-0 on Monday.
With the Rockets already up 15-0, Tarr's three-run bell-ringer was the icing on the cake in the non-conference victory.
Attention high school coaches
We need your help covering your team this spring to help keep fans, college recruiters, and area readers informed. Send us your game or meet results for our Prep Sports Notebook and weekly stats leaders for our All-Area team selection at the conclusion of the season. If you are a coach at Unity, Urbana Uni-High, Urbana High School or St. Joseph-Ogden, the best way to send us box scores and other info is via email to sports@oursentinel.com or editor@oursentinel.com. Do you have a player on the verge of breaking a school record, signing an LOI, or have a story idea? Don't hesitate to email us.Photo-of-the-Day: January 28, 2022
Newton running back Isaac Flowers is stopped in his tracks by a trio of Unity tacklers during their first-round IHSA playoff football game on October 30, 2021. UHS defensive end Kyus Root made the initial stop as junior Nick Nosler, and another teammate barrel in to put Flowers on the turf for a loss of yards. The Rockets, who played all four playoff games on their home turf, defeated the Eagles (5-5) at Hicks Field, 46-6.
See more photos from this game.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
Search by athlete's name, team, school and more
High School hoops tonight | Unity hosts Tuscola, Tigers square off with Ironmen at home
Tonight's Live NFHS Broadcasts
January 11, 2022
|
|
** Just so you know: The Sentinel is reader-supported. When you make a purchase via a link on our site, we might earn an affiliate commission that we will use bring you more area news and sports coverage.
Rockets notch 11th win of the season, Unity picks up IPC victory
TOLONO -- Both teams were off to an ugly start in their first basketball game of 2022. Unity's shotmakers converted on just 34.2% of their shots while hosting Olympia in their Illini Prairie Conference game last Friday. Luckily, the visiting Spartans' shots weren't falling either allowing the Rockets to post a 41-34 win over their guests.
Backed by Will Cowan's 10 rebounds, seven of them on the defensive end of the court, Unity held Olympia to just six first-half points inside the Rocket Center.
The Spartans, who made baskets on 23.8% of the balls they tossed at the rim, were led by Chase Litwiller's double-double 19 points, and 11 boards.
Unity (11-2) took an early lead on a three-pointer from Cowan and two more, in addition to a field goal, from senior Blake Kimball for an 11-4 first-quarter lead. Kimball was Unity's only scorer in the next frame with six points. Meanwhile, Olympia mustered only two points, both on free throws from Litwiller and his brother Andrew before halftime.
Despite being outgunned 28-24 in the second half, a fourth-period burst from Kimball and teammate Henry Thomas' six crucial free throws kept the game from slipping away. Jacob Maxwell hit a field goal and free throw in the final frame for the Rockets.
Kimball led all scorers with 25 points. He also added to the cause six rebounds and a pair of steals from his 35 minutes on the court. A bigger asset on defense on Friday, Cowan finished the night with four points.
Cowan & Co. are at home again tomorrow against Tuscola. The varsity game is scheduled to start at 7pm. The Warriors are 12-3 on the season with losses to Okaw Valley, Monticello, and Indiana's 21st Century Charter.
Backed by Will Cowan's 10 rebounds, seven of them on the defensive end of the court, Unity held Olympia to just six first-half points inside the Rocket Center.
The Spartans, who made baskets on 23.8% of the balls they tossed at the rim, were led by Chase Litwiller's double-double 19 points, and 11 boards.
Unity (11-2) took an early lead on a three-pointer from Cowan and two more, in addition to a field goal, from senior Blake Kimball for an 11-4 first-quarter lead. Kimball was Unity's only scorer in the next frame with six points. Meanwhile, Olympia mustered only two points, both on free throws from Litwiller and his brother Andrew before halftime.
Despite being outgunned 28-24 in the second half, a fourth-period burst from Kimball and teammate Henry Thomas' six crucial free throws kept the game from slipping away. Jacob Maxwell hit a field goal and free throw in the final frame for the Rockets.
Kimball led all scorers with 25 points. He also added to the cause six rebounds and a pair of steals from his 35 minutes on the court. A bigger asset on defense on Friday, Cowan finished the night with four points.
Cowan & Co. are at home again tomorrow against Tuscola. The varsity game is scheduled to start at 7pm. The Warriors are 12-3 on the season with losses to Okaw Valley, Monticello, and Indiana's 21st Century Charter.
Box Score
Final: Prairie Central 48 - Urbana 21
Unity --
Kimball 5 (4) 3-10 -- 25, Cowan 0 (1) 0-0 -- 3, H. Thomas 0 (0) 6-8 -- 6, Rawdin 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Warfel 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Saunders 1 (0) 0-0 -- 2, Porter 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, O'Neil 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Price 1 (0) 0-0 -- 2, A. Thomas 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Langendorf 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Maxwell 1 (0) 1-6 -- 3 Olympia --
Ragland 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Peifer 1 (0) 1-2 -- 3, Wilson 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, D. O'Donnell 0 (0) 1-2 -- 1, Swartzendruber 0 (2) 0-0 -- 6, Pierce 1 (0) 2-4 -- 4, A. Litweiler 0 (0) 1-2 -- 1, Wilie 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Dane 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, C. Litwiler 6 (0) 7-9 -- 19, David 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Evans 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, G. O'Donnell 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Olsen 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F | |
| Unity | 11 | 6 | 5 | 19 | 41 |
| Olympia | 4 | 2 | 10 | 18 | 34 |
Kimball 5 (4) 3-10 -- 25, Cowan 0 (1) 0-0 -- 3, H. Thomas 0 (0) 6-8 -- 6, Rawdin 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Warfel 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Saunders 1 (0) 0-0 -- 2, Porter 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, O'Neil 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Price 1 (0) 0-0 -- 2, A. Thomas 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Langendorf 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Maxwell 1 (0) 1-6 -- 3 Olympia --
Ragland 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Peifer 1 (0) 1-2 -- 3, Wilson 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, D. O'Donnell 0 (0) 1-2 -- 1, Swartzendruber 0 (2) 0-0 -- 6, Pierce 1 (0) 2-4 -- 4, A. Litweiler 0 (0) 1-2 -- 1, Wilie 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Dane 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, C. Litwiler 6 (0) 7-9 -- 19, David 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Evans 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, G. O'Donnell 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0, Olsen 0 (0) 0-0 -- 0
Photo-of-the-Day: January 4, 2022
Putting the ball in play
Senior Taylor Joop takes a swing at a Westville pitch during Unity's home game on April 27, 2021. The Rockets, who would later finished the season in fourth-place at Class 2A state finals, shutout the Tigers, 6-0. See more photos from this game.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
Search by athlete's name, team, school and more
Slow start sinks Rockets at T-town
Despite draining two more treys than the Wooden Shoes, the 9-7 advantage did not keep the Unity's boys basketball team from absorbing their first loss of the season on the road on December 4.
Coming off a 61-53 win over Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin in their season opener at home on November 30, the Rockets' got off to a slow start against Teutopolis, scoring just seven first-quarter points to their opponent's 14.
By the end of the half, Unity trailed by 14 and was in the same position by the end of the third quarter at 48-34.
Blake Kimball scored seven of his 12 points for the night in the final quarter. The senior also went 2-for-2 from the free-throw line.
Tristan Price, who matched Kimball's performance from the line with two third-quarter shots from the line, finished the night with 8 points. Austin Langendorf was the team's second-leading scorer with 11 points.
The Wooden Shoes were paced by 16-point outputs from juniors Brendan Niebrugge and Caleb Siemer. Kayden Althoff converted on all six attempts from the free-throw line for Teutopolis.
Box Score
Final: Teutopolis 59 - Unity 51
Unity --
Kimball 10-2-12, Cowan 6-0-6, Thomas 7-0-7, Warfel 3-0-3, Price 6-2-8, Langendorf 9-2-11, Maxwell 2-0-2. Teutopolis --
B. Niebrugge 15-1-16, M. Niebrugge 7-2-9, K. Althoff 3-6-9, M. Althoff 2-0-2, J. Niebrugge 6-1-7, Siemer 12-4-16.
Kimball 10-2-12, Cowan 6-0-6, Thomas 7-0-7, Warfel 3-0-3, Price 6-2-8, Langendorf 9-2-11, Maxwell 2-0-2. Teutopolis --
B. Niebrugge 15-1-16, M. Niebrugge 7-2-9, K. Althoff 3-6-9, M. Althoff 2-0-2, J. Niebrugge 6-1-7, Siemer 12-4-16.
Class 3A runner-up, Rockets finish the season 13-1 after title game against Byron
Unity's Blake Kimball carries the ball during the IHSA Football State Finals Class 3A title game against Byron on Friday, November 27. The quarterback carried the ball nine times for a net gain of just 26 yards and threw for 102 on eight completions out of 15 attempts. Kimball and the Rockets finished the season with a record of 13-1 after falling 35-7 to the Tigers in high school championship game on Friday. View more photos from the game at here.
Chris Johns/PhotoNews Media
Trip #6! Rockets are going to state!
Unity football head coach Scott Hamilton celebrates with players and fans after his 2021 Rocket team defeated visiting Mt. Carmel High School on Saturday at Hicks Field on Saturday. Unity prevailed in the seesaw battle to advance to the state title game after defeating the Golden Aces, 28-21. Heading to the Class 3A championship game, the Rockets will take their 17-game win streak to DeKalb to face the Byron Tigers who upset IC Catholic with a stunning fourth-quarter 15-14 comeback.
Follow the link to see more photos from the semifinal game.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
Runaway Rocket
Unity quarterback Blake Kimball finds plenty of open turf as he sprints from 13-yards out for the north corner of the east end zone at Hicks Field. With just over two minutes left to play in the game, the score extended the Rockets' lead by 20 over the visiting Williamsburg Bullets and sealed their advancement for another 2021 playoff game. After the 28-7 win, the undefeated Rockets will host the 12-0 Mt. Carmel's Golden Aces in an unprecedented fourth consecutive home playoff contest next Saturday. Kimball, who finished with 85 yards on the ground, scored another touchdown earlier in the third quarter on similar play from the 15-yard line. More photos and game story coming soon.
PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
Photo Gallery: Unity wins playoff game over PBL, 21-14
Paxton-Buckley-Loda Seth Hitz misses a tackle on Unity's Tyler Hensch during the second-round playoff game last Saturday. The Panthers (7-4), new to the Illini Prairie Conference, put up a good fight against the state-ranked Rockets at Hicks Field before their season came to a close after a 21-14 finish in Unity's favor. Next, the Rockets host the Bullets of Williamsville at 2pm tomorrow.
Photo: Unity Rocket Photos
Unity quarterback Blake Kimball sheds PBL linebacker Dalton Jones keeping the ball for a short gain. On a beautiful November afternoon in Tolono, Kimball set a school record on Saturday for most completions in a single season with the Rockets at 136. Tomorrow, he will have an opportunity to set the bar higher when the Rockets host their third home playoff game this season against Williamsville for a quarterfinal showdown. Saturday's forecast calls for mostly cloudy conditions with the high in the upper 30s. West winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts to around 25 mph could be a problem for extending his mark much higher.
Photo: Unity Rocket Photos
Austin Langendorf and another Unity player break up a pass play to PBL's Jacob Gronsky. The Rockets, who entered the game scoring 41.9 points per game during the regular season, got the job done with a 21-14 victory is in its 26th playoff appearance in the last 27 fall seasons. A win tomorrow and the following week will mark Unity's sixth playoff appearance in as many years. See more game photos at Unity Rocket Football.
Photo: Unity Rocket Photos
The Unity Rockettes perform on the sidelines for fans during the game on gorgeous fall day.
Photo: Unity Rocket Photos
Braxton Manuel bursts through a banner before the start of second-round game between Illini Prairie Conference foes. Manuel and the Rockets defeated the Panthers earlier in the season, 35-0.
Photo: Unity Rocket Photos
Rockets' Boden Franklin grabs on to Panther ball carrier Tyler Smith on a third-and-three play for a loss. The stop forced PBL to punt the ball putting it on Unity's 9 yard line. See more game photos at Unity Rocket Football.
Photo: Unity Rocket Photos
Paxton-Buckley-Loda senior Tyler Smith along with help from teammate Garret Sanders brings down Unity's Matt Brown. With a chip on their shoulder and something to prove, the Paxton-Buckley-Loda defense held Unity, who averaged 41 points/game during the regular season, to a total of 21 in their playoff game. PBL gave up an average of just 11.9 points in their first nine games in the IPC.
Photo: Unity Rocket Photos
Unity assistant coach and offensive line coach Tony Reetz talks to players during the game. UHS trailed 14-7 early in the second half of an exciting high school football game. The Rockets erased the deficit, first, on a pass from Blake Kimball to Dillon Rutledge on a fourth-and-15 play, and later when Kimball found his way into the end zone on a 13-yard run with 6:42 left in the fourth quarter to seal the victory.
Photo: Unity Rocket Photos
Matt Brown evades PBL's Tyler Smith. Brown will be key to Unity's advance past Williamsville when they meet on Saturday at Hicks Field. In their last meeting back during the 2012 playoffs, Unity survived 10-7 on a last-second field goal on a day shaping up with similar weather conditions nine years ago. Brown finished the game against the Panthers with 87 yards on 24 carries.
Photo: Unity Rocket Photos
Unity senior Blake Kimball stretches forward to get the ball into the end zone for the game-winning score. Kimball called his own number 23 times tallying 101 rushing yards producing a come-from-behind playoff win for the Rockets. See more game photos at Unity Rocket Football.
Photo: Unity Rocket Photos
Prep Sports Notebook: Rockets, Spartans sweep volleyball opponents
Unity football celebrates senior night
Unity's unblemished record will be on the line as the Rockets will host 5-2 Paxton-Buckley-Loda at Hicks Field tonight. It is the first time the two teams have met on the gridiron since 2006.
Fourteen senior athletes, who have already clinched a playoff spot for their 7-0 team, will be recognized at the football team's last home game of the season prior to kickoff.
This year's senior players include Nat Nosler, Blake Kimball, Tyler Hensch, Braxton Manuel, Dillon Rutledge, Damian Knoll, Trustan Price, Liam Alt, Oran Varela, Karson Richardson, Austin McDaniel, Cameron Marvin, Colby Loftsgaard, and Chance Ingleman.
Rockets pick up 23rd win
The Unity volleyball team battled past Pontiac in straight sets 27-25, 25-19 improving to 23-3 on the season after the conference match.
Emma Bleecher pounded 12 kills and had nine digs against the Indians. Three-sport star Taylor Henry had 13 digs of her own.
The Rockets also got 14 assists and 8 digs from senior Maddie Reed. Payton Kaiser, also a senior, contributed a pair of kills of her own next to seven digs.
Up next, Unity hosts Urbana on the upcoming Monday evening. A freshman bout will start at 5pm and the varsity main event somewhere around 6pm.
Burnett double-double lifts SJO
Outside hitter Kennedi Burnett posted 10 kills and recorded 10 digs in the St. Joseph-Ogden road match at Olympia last night. Libero Hannah Fox also contributed 10 digs to help SJO cruise past the other Illini Prairie Conference Spartans, 2-0.
Becca Steinbach notched 19 assists while Rachel Divan, who was a wall at the net with three blocks, contributed three kills.
SJO's Shayne Immke added another four kills and chipped in another seven digs in the conference sweep that ended, 25-8, 25-15.
The Spartans play again at Illinois Valley Central tomorrow at noon.
Prep Sports Notebook: Rockets move up in AP football poll
Rockets move up in AP football ranking
After one week, the Unity football team earned enough votes in the Associated Press poll to move up to #4 in the Class 3A poll. Ranked one spot above the Rockets are their Illini Prairie Conference rivals, the Monticello Sages. The two teams are scheduled to meet on the gridiron in a regular-season finale on October 22.
In the preseason poll, Unity was tied at fifth on the list with Farmington. Meanwhile, the Sages entered the season at #3.
Here is a complete listing of the Class 3A rankings.
Class 3A1. Wilmington (6) (1-0) 86 1
2. Princeton (3) (1-0) 75 4
3. Monticello (1-0) 68 3
4. Tolono Unity (1-0) 50 T5
5. Williamsville (0-1) 49 2
6. Byron (1-0) 39 7
7. Farmington (1-0) 35 T5
8. Nashville (1-0) 31 8
9. Montini (0-1) 17 10
(tie) Mt. Carmel, IL (1-0) 17 9
Others receiving votes: Paxton-Buckley-Loda 10, Benton 6, Carlinville 4, Peotone 3, Reed-Custer 2, Eureka 2, Fairbury Prairie Central 1.
Rockets roll past Spartans in homecoming game
271-pound running back Lane Innes rumbles past a couple of SJO defenders on his way to his a third quarter touchdown for Unity. The Rockets defeated visiting St. Joseph-Ogden in their 2021 homecoming game, 48-16. Unity improves to 3-0 on the season and will enjoy home field advantage next Friday against Mahomet-Seymour. Miles to the northeast, SJO (1-3) will host Bloomington Central Catholic in their final home game of the season. See photos from this game here...
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
Editor's Choice
Illinois Governor signs bill enacting immigrant protections in and around state courthouses
New Illinois law protects people attending court, making them “privileged from civil arrest inside state courthouses and with...
