Unity's senior playcaller wasn't even guaranteed to be its starting quarterback as a junior. Once he grabbed the job, though, he never let it go and guided the Rockets to a Class 3A state runner-up finish.

Hamilton's 28th season running the Rockets began with his 250th career victory and concluded with a trip to the Class 3A state championship game.

Congrats to 13 of the 26 athletes who led our local prep football efforts this fall.

Congrats to 13 of the 26 athletes who led our local prep football efforts this fall.

Unity soared to the Class 3A state championship game and paces our final rankings as a result. But how did the rest of the field fare?

Beesley key part of North Central football team as Cardinals play in D-III national championship game on Friday night

The Falcons' standout running back has dealt with injuries throughout 2021 but has an optimistic outlook for what's to come in his college career.

The offensive lineman, who signed a National Letter of Intent on Wednesday, helped the Raiders to their first above-.500 season since 2006 and wants to push Illinois to even greater heights.

Allen recently retired from his role with the Falcons after 21 seasons and a pair of Class 2A state championships. Now he'll be recognized for his work on the gridiron.

Scott Hamilton's Unity football players took in some adoration from their fellow students on Monday afternoon before some ran off to basketball or wrestling practices.

Rockets football supporters made the trip from the school's five towns to see Unity vie for its first state championship in this sport, during Friday's Class 3A title game versus Byron.

Unity earned its sixth state runner-up trophy in as many tries, but its longtime coach and current players left DeKalb without the ultimate prize.

The Rockets finish as Class 3A runner-up in sixth title-game appearance

How Unity's quarterback has turned into a senior playmaker for the Rockets — and how this run has brought out all sorts of emotions for his mom and dad

Senior safety Nat Nosler and junior defensive end Nick Nosler are critical components of a stout Unity defense that will face its last test of the season in Friday's Class 3A state championship game.

He'll coach in his sixth state championship game Friday evening. But before he tries to guide Unity football to its first-ever state title when the Rockets play Byron at 4 p.m. at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb, veteran coach Scott Hamilton caught up with Sports Editor Matt Daniels:

All four starters — McDaniel, Nosler, Varala and Root — all play key role in Unity wrestling program, too

Preps coordinator Colin Likas breaks down Friday's 4 p.m. kickoff between the Rockets and Tigers, who are vying for the Class 3A state crown.

When will Unity leave for state title game? What uniforms will they wear? What's up with their helmet stickers? Sports editor Matt Daniels attempts to answer these questions and more ahead of Friday afternoon's showdown with Byron