TOLONO, Ill. (WAND) - Second place leaves a sour taste in the mouth of whatever team comes up short of a championship. While the Unity Rockets are pleased with overall performance, having no title to show isn't something they take lightly.
Last Fall, the program finished as state runners-up for the 7th time since 2000. Former quarterback Dane Eisenmenger set a state final record for passing yards (545), TD passes (7), completions (42), and attempts (65), in the 50-56 loss to Byron.
Now, after graduating 28 seniors, second year head coach Tony Reetz is eager to see how a new team will follow in their footsteps.
"I think all of those guys want to prove their worth," Reetz says. "They've been kind of learning under the seniors that we had last year. Now it's their time to shine and they just want to step out and do the best they can to represent their community."
The 2026 season opens a door for many players who've been eager for an opportunity at the varsity level to step into starting roles. Offseason workouts and preseason camp have helped to narrow down a list of who deserves a chance to see the field.
"Every time you're on the field, whether it's a practice or a game, you're competing for a spot," says senior defensive back Adam Reedy. "No spot is guaranteed."
Stepping into the starting quarterback role this season is junior Carter Schmid. Following the performances of Eisenmenger last season leading to his signing with the University of Illinois, Schmid says he learned plenty to prepare him for the next step.
"Learning from Dane was awesome," Schmid says. "It was perfect for me. A division one quarterback going to Illinois. I mean, I don't know how much better I can ask for a starter in front of me. I was able to see firsthand everything he's doing - all the reads he's done, everything in the film room. It was just great prep for this year."
Entering the new campaign, gaining chemistry and nailing down timing with his receivers has been an emphasis for Schmid. A balanced attack on the ground and through the air has done well for Unity in the past and is expected to continue this season.
The Rocket offensive line boasts the most returning starters of any position group for Unity. Their relationship with the running backs to open holes in the rushing attack has been crafted through summer practices, sweating through the basic details to be effective.
"We're ready to get kicked into gear again to go back [to the championship] and go for it all this year," says senior center Elias Krall.
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