Tolono Unity the one team standing between Byron and another state championship

BYRON, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — Byron’s football team has been on a mission this season to win a state championship. They’ve defeated 13 straight opponents. The 14th and final one that stands in the Tigers’ way is the Tolono Unity Rockets. It’s the 3A Championship Game Friday afternoon in Normal.The Tigers and the Rockets have some history. They faced each other in 2021 in the 3A championship game. The Tigers won that game big 35-7. The Rockets have a new head coach this year, but that hasn’t altered the way they go about their business.“Not really. Their staff is the same staff that has been there a long time, and this coach has been there I think 20-plus years, and he just happened to take over for coach Hamilton, so they’re doing a lot of things on offense and defense that we’ve seen in the past,” said Byron head coach Jeff Boyer.Unity runs a spread offense that can move the football. The Rockets have passed for more than 3,100 yards this season. They have also rushed for almost 2,800 yards.They have an All-State quarterback in 6’4 Dane Eisenmenger.|“He’s probably the best quarterback that we’ve seen the entire year,” said Boyer.In the playoffs so far, the Rockets have defeated schools that have some of the best football programs in the state…Mt. Carmel, Monticello, Williamsville and St. Joseph Ogden.The Rockets have finished second in the state six times since 2000. They’ve never won it, so they’ll be extremely motivated Friday.The Tigers feel like they’re more than ready for this game after the way they dominated IC Catholic and Richmond-Burton the last two weeks. The Tigers aren’t fazed by big games with high stakes.“It’s kind of been business as usual (this week),” said Boyer. “I credit that to some of the kids like Caden (Considine) and Andrew (Talbert) that have been there and played in the state championship game. I don’t think the stage is too big for those kids.”As the hours to kickoff keep counting down, there is one thought that consumes the Tigers.“Our goal at the beginning of the year wasn’t to be in the state championship. It was to win a state championship,” said Boyer. “We’re not just happy to be there anymore. Our kids want to compete and play their best game on Friday.”The Tigers have won three state championships previously in 1999, 2021, and 2023. They finished second in 2018 and 2019.Kickoff Friday at Illinois State University will be at 4 p.m.

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