Unity senior Keegan Germano has established himself as a versatile defensive weapon, combining speed, agility and physicality at strong safety and outside linebacker.
TOLONO - Unity senior Keegan Germano has built a reputation as one of the Rockets’ most reliable defenders, combining speed, agility and physicality in a versatile role at strong safety and outside linebacker.
The 5-foot-10, 202-pound Germano led Unity’s defense last week with five solo tackles. After two games of his senior season, he is averaging a sack per game after recording five sacks as a junior.
Germano enters Friday’s matchup with Bloomington Central Catholic having already made 157 tackles during his Unity career, including 139 during last season’s 14-game run that ended with the Rockets playing Byron in the Class 3A state championship game.
Despite Unity’s 27-24 loss to Monticello last week, Rockets fans can expect Germano to remain an integral part of the defense as Unity looks to make another run this fall.
The photos captured from Unity's home game against the Sages, showcase the senior's speed and intensity that he brings to the Rockets’ defense.
Eleven area players received All-State recognition from the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association this week.
Keegan Germano (Unity), Zeke Young (Monticello) and Cameron Wagner (St. Joseph-Ogden) are three of 11 football players earning spots on the IHSFCA All-State list this fall.
URBANA - In Class 1A, Oakwood running back Kyler Johnson and Salt Fork's Zayden Bromley received first-team recognition from the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association. Fisher defensive back Andrew Todd and Oakwood lineman Walker Enos earned honorable mention nods.
Five players from area Class 3A programs made the annual list. St. Joseph-Ogden offensive lineman Cameron Wagner, Unity linebacker Keegan Germano and Monticello receiver Zeke Young were named among Illinois' top small-school players.
The Spartans' Lane McKinney earned an honorable mention at quarterback, while the Rockets' Michael Hardin made the list at running back.
Lane McKinney St. Joseph-Ogden
Michael Hardin Unity
From the eastern side of Champaign County, Mahomet-Seymour running back Marco Casillas was the only area player recognized in Class 4A and above.
Rounding out the list was St. Thomas More's Sam Kluesner, who earned an honorable mention in 8-man football.
Players will be introduced prior of their respective classes state championship game at Hancock Stadium and presented with a certificate of recognition from the IHSFCA. Portions of the ceremony will be shown during the State Final game broadcast.
Area All-Staters ====
1A All-StateKyler Johnson
RB/LB 12 5'10 190
Oakwood High School
Head Coach: Cameron Lee Zayden Bromley
HB/DB 11 6'1 175
Salt Fork High School
Head Coach: Les Siefert 1A Honorable MentionWalker Enos
OL/DL 12 6'0 300
Oakwood High School
Head Coach: Cameron Lee
Andrew Todd
DB/QB/LB 11 5'9 180
Fisher Jr/Sr High School
Head Coach: Jeff Palmer
3A All-StateCameron Wagner
OL/DL 12 6'7 310
St. Joseph Ogden
Head Coach: Shawn Skinner
Keegan Germano
LB 12 5'10 196
Unity High School
Head Coach: Tony Reetz Zeke Young
WR/DB 12 5'10 155
Monticello High School
Head Coach: Cullen Welter 3A Honorable MentionLane McKinney
QB/DB 11 6'0 170
St. Joseph-Ogden
Head Coach: Shawn Skinner Michael Hardin
RB 12 5'11 198
Unity High School
Head Coach: Tony Reetz
5A All-StateMarco Casillas
RB 11 5'10 195
Mahomet-Seymour
Head Coach: Jon Adkins
8-man footballHonorable mentionSam Kluesner
WR/DL/RB 11 6'2 165
The High School of St Thomas More
Head Coach: Cary Matthews
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TAGGED: Illinois high school football All-State selections, Champaign County football player recognition, IHSFCA All-State football honors, Oakwood and Salt Fork football standouts, St. Joseph-Ogden and Unity football players
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.
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TAGS: Unity Rockets defeat Monticello, IHSA Second-Round Football game, Illini Prairie Conference rivals Monticello and Unity, Monticello football, Unity Rockets football team.
Unity edged Monticello 21-20 in a dramatic Class 3A playoff rematch at Hicks Field. The Rockets sealed the victory on a last-second interception by Tre Hoggard.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Unity's Tre Hoggard makes a leaping catch in front of a pass intended for Monticello's Jake Robinson on a two-point conversion attempt by the Sages. The snag by Hoggard as time expired ended the game with the Rockets on top 21-20 and advancing to the Class 3A quarterfinals.
TOLONO — The atmosphere was as electric and palpable as expected from the opening kickoff to the final interception that sealed Unity’s one-point victory over Monticello (8-3) at Hicks Field in their Class 3A second-round playoff game on Saturday. In a gritty, hard-fought battle, the Rockets avenged last year’s semifinal loss at Monticello with a dramatic finish of their own, winning 21-20 in a finale for the ages.
Unity, which advanced to the state quarterfinals for the fifth consecutive season and the 18th time in program history, will play at Williamsville (11-0) at 2 p.m. next Saturday.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Monticello's Zeke Young goes up for a pass between Unity defensive backs Tyler Henry and Adam Reedy early in the second half of their playoff game.
The matchup between the rival Illini Prairie Conference programs was a classic gridiron struggle filled with big plays and momentum swings on a gray, overcast day. Fueled by determination, athleticism, and sound fundamentals on both sides, “epic” might have been an understatement.
“Monticello is a great team with a great game plan,” Unity head coach Tony Reetz said. “We knew they would give us everything we could handle. They did a great job of making long drives and keeping our offense off the field. We never really got the field flipped the way we wanted. Hats off to them.”
Monticello senior quarterback Nolan Buehnerkemper’s swan song was bittersweet. The 6-foot-2, 185-pound senior played quarterback, safety and kicker, seemingly everywhere for the Sages. He completed 24 of 35 passes for 363 yards and two touchdowns.
Buehnerkemper scored Monticello’s first touchdown on a 1-yard plunge that gave the Sages a 7-0 lead with 5:56 left in the first quarter. Just over two minutes later, he connected with Zeke Young on a 75-yard touchdown strike, stunning the heavily favored Rockets with a 14-0 advantage.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Crewe Eckstein pushes Sages' Drake Weeks away on his way to the tying touchdown before the end of the first half. The senior ran for 157 yards on 25 touches.
Down two scores at the start of the second quarter, Unity responded immediately. On the first play of the quarter, Tre Hoggard ran nine yards for a touchdown. With 6:16 left in the half, Crewe Eckstein found the corner of the west end zone for another score. Kicker Ty Rodems converted both extra points to tie the game 14-14 at halftime.
“A lot of respect to them. They are a good team,” Eckstein said after posing for photos with friends. The senior finished with 157 yards on 26 carries. “They filled all their gaps. They hustle and they play hard.”
Neither team scored in the third quarter as both defenses stood firm.
Unity took a 21-14 lead with 9:41 left in the fourth quarter on a 1-yard quarterback sneak by Dane Eisenmenger.
“We were all clicking in the second half. The first half was a little iffy,” senior defensive back Coleton Langendorf said. “But we picked it up in the second half.”
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Unity's Keegan Germano tries to fold Monticello tight end Jake Robinson in half with a solid tackle during third quarter action. Teammate Coleton Langendorf said Germano delivered an outstanding effort on defense for the Rockets. "He was just flying around everywhere. He was making things happen," Langendorf said singing praises.
Monticello didn’t back down. With less than nine seconds remaining, Buehnerkemper found Heyden Ramano, who scooped the pass just inches above the ground for a touchdown to make it 21-20.
Instead of kicking the extra point to force overtime, Monticello head coach Cully Welter made the gutsy decision to go for two. Buehnerkemper threw over the middle to senior Jake Robinson, but before the ball could reach his neon-gloved fingertips, Hoggard leapt into the air and intercepted it — ending the Sages’ season and sending Unity to the quarterfinals.
“When the ball touched my finger, it was amazing,” Hoggard said. “I just knew the game was over.”
Not bad for a player who hadn’t played defense all year but stepped in for an injured teammate in the Sages' last drive in the third quarter. He was on the field for just six plays, but his presence made the difference.
“It feels good. I wouldn’t say I was responsible for the win. There are others on our team who stepped up when they needed to. Defense stepped up in the fourth quarter for sure.”
After the game, Monticello players, even after a heartbreaking loss, displayed an impressive level of class, sportsmanship and conference camaraderie during postgame handshakes, telling their opponents, “Go get the big win.”
“They were wishing us good luck,” Eckstein said. “A lot of respect to those guys. They are all nice. They are all great.”
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Desmond Winfrey and Coleton Langendor celebrate a defensive stop in the third quarter. The Rockets move on in the Class 3A bracket with a roadtrip to Williamsville next Saturday.
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Tags: Unity Rockets Class 3A football playoffs, Monticello Sages vs Unity playoff game recap, Illinois high school football quarterfinal preview, Unity football Hicks Field Tolono Illinois, IHSA Class 3A playoff highlights 2025
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
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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
Unity host conference rival Monticello in regular season matchup at Hicks Field.
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.
CHILLICOTHE - In a clash between perennial rivals, Unity soared to a commanding victory over St. Joseph-Ogden in a dual meet that showcased the prowess of Unity's senior wrestlers. The match, held on Saturday, January 18, 2025, underscored Unity's dominance as they clinched a decisive 49-17 win over their opponents on the way to the Illini Prairie Conference title.
Unity, boasting a lineup featuring four seasoned seniors who were all state finalists last season, delivered a masterclass performance from start to finish. Leading the charge was Hunter Eastin, the defending state champion who stepped up in weight to 215 pounds for this encounter. Eastin's technical proficiency was in play as he pinned his opponent from SJO, Nathan Phillips, in 2 minutes and 10 seconds, contributing crucial points to Unity's overall score.
Unity's Hunter Eastin is declared winner after his 5-2 win over St. Thomas More's Brody Cuppernell in the 190 pound title match at the 2024 IHSA Individual Wrestling State Finals. See more photos from his state victory here. Eastin made short work of St. Joseph-Ogden's Nathan Phillips in their 215 pound match at the Illini Prairie Conference Meet.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Joining Eastin in Unity's formidable senior quartet were Kaden Inman, Holden Brazelton, and Ryan Rink, each bringing their own stellar track records to the mat. Inman, a senior standout who narrowly missed the state title last year, left no room for doubt in his match at 144 pounds, securing a dominant technical fall victory over SJO's Landen Butts with a commanding score of 19-4. Brazelton, who recently transferred to Unity from St. Joseph-Ogden, won his 150-pound match with a convincing tech fall, earning 17 unanswered points against his opponent, Thomas Ware.
Ryan Rink, another integral part of Unity's senior cadre, demonstrated his resilience and skill at 175 pounds, overpowering his counterpart from SJO with an 18-3 tech fall victory. These performances highlighted Unity's depth and experience, underscoring their status as a force to be reckoned with in the conference and beyond.
The dual meet began with early momentum swings, as SJO claimed forfeit victories at 106 and 113 pounds, courtesy of Ben Wells and Jackson Walsh, respectively. However, Unity quickly turned the tide with a series of strategic victories, starting with Zayden Mansfield's hard-fought decision over Camden Getty at 120 pounds, setting the stage for Unity's dominant run.
St. Joseph-Ogden's only bright spot was once again at heavyweight. Sophomore Cameron Wagner stuck Unity's Jaden Dene at 5:45 to give the Spartans their only contested win against the Rockets.
Throughout the match, Unity's conditioning and mental toughness, exemplified by Bryce Martin's controlled decision over Eli Birt at 126 pounds and Taylor Finley's decisive pin at 138 pounds. Keegan Germano and Abram Davidson continued Unity's winning ways with pins at 157 and 165 pounds, respectively, solidifying their team's dominant victory.
As the final whistle blew, Unity celebrated a resounding 49-17 triumph over St. Joseph-Ogden. With the postseason around the corner, Unity looks locked and loaded for another trip to Bloomington for the state team dual championships.
With state-ranked seniors Inman, Brazelton, Rink, and Eastin leading the Rockets, the program is poised take this year's Class 1A team title.
Box Score
106 - WELLS, BEN (SJO) over Forfeit, (Unity), FORFEIT;
113 - WALSH, JACKSON (SJO) over Forfeit, (Unity), FORFEIT;
120 - Mansfield, Zayden (Unity) over GETTY, CAMDEN (SJO), Decision 14-8;
126 - Martin, Bryce (Unity) over BIRT, ELI (SJO), Decision 11-4;
132 - Forfeit, (Unity) over Forfeit, (SJO), Double Forfeit;
138 - Finley, Taylor (Unity) over HUNDLEY, AIDEN (SJO), Fall 4:28;
144 - Inman, Kaden (Unity) over BUTTS, LANDEN (SJO), Tech Fall 19-4;
150 - Brazelton, Holden (Unity) over WARE, THOMAS (SJO), Tech Fall 17-0;
157 - Germano, Keegan (Unity) over DALY, NATHAN (SJO), Fall 3:55;
165 - Davidson, Abram (Unity) over MOORE, JONATHON (SJO), Fall 3:58;
175 - Rink, Ryan (Unity) over SWISHER, DEVAN (SJO), Tech Fall 18-3;
190 - Winfrey, Desmond (Unity) over Carter, Liam (SJO), Maj Dec 16-2;
215 - Eastin, Hunter (Unity) over PHILLIPS, NATHAN (SJO), Fall 2:10;
285 - WAGNER, CAM (SJO) over Dene, Jaden (Unity), Fall 5:45.
Rockets and Saints traded punches all night, but BCC had the last word. Unity drops tough 34-27 decision.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Unity's Crewe Eckstein drags Central Catholic's Greyer Pirtz into the end zone for a touchdown in the third quarter. Eckstein finished the team's first conference loss with 151 yards on 17 carries and two touchdowns. by Clark Brooks The Sentinel TOLONO — It was a beautiful evening at Hicks Field. The temperature at game time started in the low 80s and gradually dipped into the lower 70s as the sun set across Central Illinois. With more than 800 fans in the stands, two unbeaten Illini Prairie Conference heavyweights went toe to toe. From the opening kick to the final horn, momentum swung wildly, but in the end visiting Bloomington Central Catholic caught the last wave to victory, defeating Unity 34-27 in a high-quality high school football clash.
"We knew that it was going to be a heavy weight fight with two very good teams," said Saints head coach Kevin Braucht. "In a game like that, there are many swings in momentum and our ability to stay calm and focused on our jobs say much about out mental toughness and resiliency. We preach every day about looking at every moment as an opportunity vs. a burden regardless of the outcome."
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Bloomington Central Catholic's Valshun Powe looks at Unity's Brayden Henry as he tries to scamper down the sidelines for a first down.
Central Catholic found that opportunity when Unity’s first possession ended prematurely after a completed pass was fumbled near midfield. Central Catholic recovered and drove for a one-yard touchdown run. The Saints missed the extra point but struck again before the first quarter ended on a nine-yard run, extending their lead to 13-0.
The Rockets roared back in the second quarter. Dane Eisenmenger powered up the middle for Unity’s first score, followed by Crewe Eckstein’s four-yard burst that tied the game. Ty Rodems’ second extra point gave Unity a 14-13 edge. Minutes later, Brayden Henry’s interception set up Eisenmenger’s touchdown pass to Tre Hoggard, sending the Rockets into halftime with a 20-13 lead.
Central Catholic regrouped after the break, scoring on runs of nine and 26 yards to reclaim a 27-20 advantage.
"Coming out of halftime we wanted to limit their offensive snaps and wanted to control the clock better," Braucht said. A sound plan given how explosive the Unity offense had proven itself in the first two weeks of the season.
Eckstein punctuated that thought when responded with his second touchdown run of the night, dragging a defender across the goal line to even the score at 27 in third quarter.
"Our kids battled there to the end. I'm pretty proud of them," said Tony Reetz, now 2-1 as Unity's head coach. "They (BCC) were able to control the clock, control the ball, and kept our offense on the sideline. They kind of wore our defense down a little, so credit to them."
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Keegan Germano, Desmond Winfrey, and Coleton Langendorf defensive tactic to contain Central Catholic's run gam while taking a breather on the bench in the first half.
The decisive drive came late in the fourth quarter. Facing 4th-and-1, Valshun Powe slipped away from Unity’s Adam Reedy to keep the Saints alive. Moments later, a leaping catch in double coverage put BCC on the Unity 12. Matthew Brady finished the drive with the go-ahead touchdown at the 2:50 mark.
Unity mounted one final push, reaching the Saints’ four-yard line. On the last play, Eisenmenger rolled left under pressure and lofted a pass toward Hoggard in the corner of the end zone. The ball glanced off his fingertips as time expired, sealing Central Catholic’s win.
Unity’s offense posted strong numbers despite the loss. Eckstein finished with 151 yards rushing on 17 carries, including a 56-yard breakaway. Eisenmenger added 40 yards on the ground while throwing for 196 yards. Henry led Rocket receivers with four catches for 92 yards, while Hoggard hauled in five for 87.
Overall, Unity ran 52 plays for 382 yards, while the Saints executed 70 plays for 405 yards and held a 31–22 edge in first downs. The Rockets lost the turnover battle 3-1.
"They played us in a little bit different coverage than we were anticipating, so it took us a while to get the passing game going," Reetz said. "I was happy with the way we executed when we figured out what we could take from them."
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Central Catholic receiver Crayton Schnierle makes a reception on a huge play between Unity defenders Brayden Henry and Graydin Cler. The catch set up the game-winning touchdown from Saints' Matthew Brady.
Braucht praised his team’s balance and once again highlighted their overall resiliency. "When you have three players of their abilities, you need to make sure they are getting most of the calls," he said, pointing to Powe, Brady and Crayton Schnierle as difference-makers. "Those three are very good players, but the real difference in that game was our offensive and defensive lines and how we controlled the line of scrimmage in the second half."
Reetz said the Saints exposed a few weaknesses that the team will work on. The luxury of having a tough game early in the season is that it gives you plenty of time to turn those shortcomings into strengths.
"It is just week three of the season. We're in this for the long haul. We're not trying to be ready with everything Week 3," he said. "This will be a good case study to look at."
The loss drops Unity to 2-1 heading into a road trip to unbeaten St. Joseph-Ogden (3-0) next Friday at Dick Duval Field. The Spartans dominated Illinois Valley Central 51-16. Central Catholic improves to 3-0 and will host Rantoul.
TAGGED: Unity Rockets football 2025, Bloomington Central Catholic Saints football recap, Unity vs Central Catholic Hicks Field 2025, Illini Prairie Conference week 3 football results, Illinois high school football Unity vs St. Joseph-Ogden preview
Illustrious - Showcases and the stories behind Illinois’ most iconic high school gyms
CHICAGO - On a quiet Saturday afternoon in January 2012, at the Oak Park-River Forest field house, a simple thought refused to leave Vincent Johnson alone.
Covering a girls basketball game for the Oak Leaves, Johnson found himself looking beyond the box score and into the bones of the building itself. The space was overwhelming in the best way. Big. Empty. Striking. The field house - massive, architectural, overwhelming in character - was alive with echoes. The gym itself demanded his attention.
How good is your next steak? Look closely at the marbling
By Casey Cartwright
A premium steak makes an impression before it even reaches the grill. Fine streaks of fat run through the muscle, creating the visual pattern known as marbling. Those delicate flecks do much more than make a steak look appealing. They influence flavor and tenderness and affect how the beef performs over high heat.
Marbling plays a major role in the experience people expect from premium beef, but understanding it takes more than looking for the fattiest steak in the case. The amount and distribution of intramuscular ...
