In a thriller heard on WEZC and online at dewittdailynews.com, Monticello scored a touchdown as time expired and a two-point conversion attempt to win the game was intercepted, and Tolono Unity held on for a 21-20 win in the second round of the Class 3A playoffs Saturday afternoon in Tolono.

Nolan Buehnerkemper converted three fourth downs on the final drive of the game - including a fourth down touchdown pass to Heyden Romano as time expired, setting up the chance for the Sages to pull off the upset of its bitter rival.

But Beuhnerkemper, as he had been most of the day, found himself under duress on the two-point conversion, and his pass was intercepted - allowing Unity to escape with the win and a matchup with Williamsville next Saturday in the 3A quarterfinals.

Monticello got off to a big start Saturday. The Rockets need just two plays to get inside the red zone on their first possession, but a fumble inside the ten-yard line was recovered by the Sages, who advantageously scored a touchdown when Buehnerkemper finished the drive with a one-yard sneak at the goal line.

After Monticello held the Rockets to a three-and-out on its next possession, Zeke Young hauled in a tipped pass and raced it 75 yards for the touchdown to put the Sages up 14-0 with 3:29 to play in the second quarter.

However, Unity would score the game's next 21 points. It started with a Trey Hoggard nine-yard run to open the second quarter, and then Crew Eckstein rumbled in from eight yards out to tie the game at 14-14.

The score would remain tied until Dane Eisenmenger used a sneak to score from a yard out and put Unity up 21-14 with 9:49 left in the fourth quarter.

The two senior quarterbacks were both brilliant. Eisenger finished 13-of-19 for 186 yards. Eckstein had 22 carries for 145 yards and a touchdown.

Hoggard finished with 51 total yards of offense, Tyler Henry had 54 total yards of offense for Unity, and Maddux Sutherland added two catches for 79 yards.

Buehnerkemper was 26-of-37 for 376 yards and two touchdowns and added 20 yards on 13 carries with another score for the Sages. Young finished with seven receptions for 180 yards while Forrest Rawdin added five catches for 68 yards. Jake Robinson had 44 yards on four receptions, and Romano finished with four receptions and 39 yards with a touchdown for the Sages.

Buehnerkemper and Young were co-State of Bank of Bement players of the game. 

Monticello finishes its season at 8-3.