Unity stings visiting Nashville in quarterfinal romp, Rockets readying for semifinal at Monticello

Garrett Richardson picks up a Unity first down, bouncing off of Nashville's Grady Kirchner. Two plays later, the senior, who finished with 205 all-purpose yards, would score the first of four touchdowns in Saturday's home game.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

TOLONO — Long before the game ended, Unity's first-string was chillin' in the waning November sunlight, singing Sweet Caroline and practicing their Cupid Shuffle steps on the sideline. It took a little more than 28 minutes for them to earn their R&R and from time to time cheer on a big play by fellow JV players. By now, the Rockets punched their ticket to the Illinois Class 3A state semifinals in commanding fashion, overwhelming the Nashville Hornets 47-24 in Saturday's quarterfinal matchup at Hicks Field.

The Rockets (9-3), who have surged since a midseason loss to Bloomington Central Catholic, showcased their dominance on both sides of the ball. Nashville (10-2), riding a nine-game win streak and averaging 40 points per game, managed just six points against Unity's varsity defense before scoring three touchdowns late against the Rockets' junior varsity.

A Unity student fan cheers during the second half after another touchdown.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Unity wasted no time establishing control, scoring on every possession of the first half. Quarterback Dane Eisenmenger led a high-powered Unity offense, throwing four touchdown passes and showcasing precision under playoff pressure.

"I think getting the wind at our backs in the first quarter really helped us," Unity head coach Scott Hamilton said, summarizing the explosive first-quarter barrage of scoring. "Special teams pinned them down early and our defense did a good job. We were able to get on the board early and kept rolling from there. We took them out of what they [Nashville] do."

Garrett Richardson, the team’s workhorse running back, opened the scoring with a 22-yard touchdown run midway through the first quarter. He followed that with a 50-yard touchdown reception, catching a perfect spiral over his shoulder from Eisenmenger and racing into the end zone untouched.

Eisenmenger spread the wealth among his receiving corps, connecting with Mason O’Neill for a leaping touchdown catch in the back of the end zone and hitting Brady Parr for a 10-yard score early in the second quarter. With 6:21 remaining in the half, wide receiver Tre Hoggard added a rushing touchdown, barreling through the Hornets' defense to make it 35-6 at halftime.

Unity’s defense was equally impressive, with Tyler Henry snagging three interceptions, one of which set up O’Neill’s touchdown. Henry, whose father holds the Illinois high school record for career interceptions, came within two yards of a pick-six after a dazzling 55-yard return.

"I was in the right spot," Henry said, still pumped up from the quarterfinal victory and his three interceptions. He had multiple chances earlier in the season to pick off a pass or two but always came up short. Today was different. "I just saw the ball in the air, and I just went and got it.

Unity's Tyler Henry

Tyler Henry is pulled down from behind by Hornets' Brynner Inman after grabbing his second interception against Nashville. The junior finished the day with three picks and has 54 tackles going into the game with Monticello later this week.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Richardson capped Unity’s scoring in the third quarter with a short touchdown run, pushing the lead to 47-6 and activating the running clock. Nashville managed three late touchdowns against Unity’s reserves, but the outcome was never in doubt.

Richardson finished the day with 155 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 17 carries. He also caught a touchdown pass, highlighting his versatility and value to the Rockets’ offense. Eisenmenger, who completed 15 of 18 passes for 217 yards, displayed poise and efficiency, finding four different targets for touchdowns.

Hoggard led all receivers with 10 catches for 109 yards, while Parr and O’Neill made the most of their opportunities, each snagging a touchdown in critical moments.

Caden Hench was a busy bee, collecting 11 tackles in two and half quarters against the Hornets. The heavy hitting done, he other members of the starting defense soak up the moment, knowing they will play another game in seven days.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Unity’s defense was relentless, holding a potent Nashville offense in check for most of the game. Junior linebacker Caden Hensch led the way with 11 tackles, including eight solo stops, while Coleton Langendorf added two sacks. Ryan Rink contributed six tackles in a gritty defensive effort.

"We knew they were a run heavy team. Once we stopped the run, our DB's are all good enough to stop the pass," Henry said. "We all settled in and it was game from there."

Special teams were another key factor, consistently flipping field position in Unity’s favor and containing Nashville’s return game. Bailey’s accurate kicking provided the Rockets with crucial extra points to sustain momentum.

Hamilton said the defensive unit did a thorough job preparing for the Hornets. He was happy with how the Rockets came out ready to play, immediately taking control of the game on their first possession, and keeping their foot on the gas.

"Our defense did a great job putting them in tough field position," he said, complimenting their execution during the 27 minutes they were in the game and adjusting to the different offensive schemes. "We know next week we'll have to adjust to something new again. We will be ready for the challenge."

The Rockets now turn their attention to a semifinal clash with Illini Prairie Conference rival Monticello (10-2) next Saturday at 2 p.m. in Monticello. Unity won the teams’ Week 9 matchup 42-28, but the stakes are much higher this time with a berth in the state championship game on the line.

"I think it will be a good game," Henry said. "They are a good team. We played them earlier in the season and we won. We'll have a long week of practice, and we'll be good."

The winner will face either Montini (10-2) or Wilmington (12-0) for the Class 3A title on Nov. 29 at Redbird Stadium in Normal.

Unity football players singing on the sidelines

While players on the Nashville sidelines were likely singing the blues, Jaden Dene and three fellow players joined in together during a time out to sing the chorus to "Sweet Caroline" with the student fans behind them. The Rockets are one game away from another state final appearance, the last in November 2021.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Keywords: Unity Rockets football, Nashville Hornets playoff game, Illinois Class 3A state semifinals, Quarterback Dane Eisenmenger leads Unity, Garrett Richardson unstoppable, Unity vs. Monticello rematch

Brayden Henry lifts Rockets past Teutopolis 59-58

Unity overcame early-season losses to Teutopolis, winning the sectional final 59-58 on a buzzer-beater. Unity moves one step from a state tournament berth, facing Kankakee McNamara on Monday.

Photo: Lori Garrret for the Sentinel

Brayden Henry holds up the net while celebrating with teamates and fans after the Rockets' epic victory over Teutopolis on Friday.

MONTICELLO - Unity had already seen Teutopolis twice this season, and both times the Wooden Shoes walked away with the win. Friday night in the Monticello Class 2A sectional championship, the Rockets finally got their revenge and it couldn't have come at a better time.

Brayden Henry drove to the basket and delivered a layup at the buzzer, lifting Unity to a dramatic 59-58 victory and sending the Rockets to the Pontiac Supersectional.

The win sends Unity (32-2) one step from the state tournament, marking the program’s deepest postseason run since 2002. The Rockets will face Kankakee McNamara on Monday in Pontiac with a trip to the IHSA state finals on the line.

Friday’s matchup carried the intensity of a rivalry built over the course of the season. Teutopolis had claimed the first two meetings, defeating Unity 56-50 in the season opener and edging the Rockets again 37-36 on Dec. 31. With a sectional title at stake in the third meeting, the Rockets delivered when it mattered most.

Unity started quickly, building a 16-11 lead in the opening quarter behind seven combined points from the Henry twins and four points from senior Tre Hoggard. Teutopolis rallied in the second quarter and carried a 25-23 lead into halftime.

The Rockets reclaimed the momentum in the third quarter and opened the fourth with a 41-36 advantage, setting the stage for a tense finish.

Teutopolis mounted a late charge behind Isaac McWhorter, who finished with a game-high 23 points. McWhorter sparked the Wooden Shoes in the fourth quarter with three 3-pointers and two field goals, while also converting both of his free-throw attempts. Gavin Addis added 13 points, including two field goals and a perfect 3-for-3 performance from the free-throw line in the final quarter. Layndyn Thoele contributed nine points, all in the first half.

Unity answered with balanced scoring. Henry led the Rockets with 20 points, scoring in every quarter before delivering the game-winning basket. Dane Eisenmenger and Tyler Henry each finished with 10 points, while Mason O’Neill added two free throws. Eisenmenger was perfect from the line at 3-for-3, and O’Neill went 2-for-2.

The victory extends Unity’s winning streak to 23 games and moves the Rockets within one win of the state tournament.

Kankakee McNamara (25-5) awaits Monday in the Pontiac Supersectional after defeating Yorkville Christian 69-56 in overtime at the Seneca Sectional. The Fightin’ Irish enter the matchup averaging 61 points per game while allowing opponents about 45 points per contest.

TAGS: Unity Rockets Teutopolis Class 2A sectional recap, Brayden Henry buzzer-beater Unity vs Teutopolis, Monticello Class 2A basketball sectional results, Unity Rockets supersectional 2026 preview, IHSA Class 2A boys basketball playoff coverage

Looking Back | Unity loss sets up 5-game win streak

With the hectic 2022-23 season behind us, we want to use the summer to catch up publishing some of the great moments we captured this season but didn't have the time or resources to publish. Here is The Sentinel's next installment of our summer feature called Looking Back. Visit our website weekly for more photo features.