The Tolono Unity Rockets used ball control and stout defense in a shutout win over Monticello, 28-0 Friday night in Illini Prairie Conference football action from Tolono.

Each team used a long drive to start the game. The Rockets turned it over on downs and off-setting penalties negated a good field goal from Monticello and the replayed fourth down resulted in a missed field goal early in the second quarter. 

After the Sages missed the field goal, it was all Rockets.

Matt Brown used a 60-yard run on the very next play to set up his first of four touchdown runs. 

Brown finished with 27 carries for 207 yards with his four scores. Jay Saunders hauled in five catches for 66 yards. 

Despite throwin a pair of interceptions and getting sacked six times, Drew Sheppard finished 23-for-38 for 204 yards for Monticello. 

Spencer Mitze paced the Sages receivers with eight catches for 57 yards. His efforts earned him the ServPro of Piat/DeWitt Counties player of the game.

Luke Teschke had five catches for 43 yards while Trey Welter hauled in four catches for 51 yards.

Monticello finishes the season 5-4 overall and will await its seeding Saturday night in the 3A postseason. Unity finishes the regular season 8-1. 

Hear coverage of the playoff pairings as they are released as well as a night full of interviews with central Illinois football coaches from 7 pm to 9 pm on WHOW/WEZC, at the many WHOW digital platforms as well as on the WHOW/WEZC Facebook and YouTube pages. 

Then tune in next weekend for Sages playoff football on 95.9 FM WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com.