Unity advances to 3A State Championship game after instant classic in semis against St. Joseph-Ogden

St. Joseph, Ill. (WAND) -- The 3A semifinals saw two Illini Prairie rivals meeting up once again with a trip to the state championship on the line.

The Spartans looking for revenge against the Rockets after a loss back in week4 round two SJO hosting Unity in the semifinals.

Spartans would get out to a hot start, Wyatt Wertz goes up the middle for the first score of the game.
 
But the Rockets would answer right back, Crewe Eckstien take the hand off and is in but SJO keeps the 7-6 lead after a missed extra point.
 
Everything working for the Spartans early in this one, Kodey McKinney lobs it up to a wide open Wertz who walks into the endzone. Spartans go up 14-6.
 
But the Rockets offense would get going late in the half, Dane Eisenmenger airs it out deep connects with Mason O'Neill in stride and he's gone for the 70 yard touchdown catch. Unity down 17-12.
 
And that was when the momentum seemed to switch to the Rockets. Unity now up one after a pick six, well how about another one, this time pass is tipped and Caden Hensch takes it into the endzone for back to back pick six's. Rockets up 25-17 at the half.
 
But after the break, SJO comes out strong again our WAND Athlete of the Week McKinney calls his own number races into the endzone and falls onto the ball for the touchdown. Spartans down 25-23.
 
Later on, SJO receiving the kick off, Wertz taking the ball and he breaks away from everyone and is off to the races, a 95 yard kick off return touchown. Spartans down 31-29.
 
Very next possession for Unity, Eisenmenger again with time finds Tyler Henry along the sideline and he falls into the endzone to extend their lead to nine.
 
Unity returning to the 3A state campionship game for the first time since 2021 taking this one 51-44.
 
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