​Aug. 21—➜ Yes, Unity graduated a talented senior class. But the Rockets have seven state runner-up finishes in the last 25 years for a reason. Their next journey begins Friday night at Rantoul.➜ New quarterback Lane McKinney will operate behind a talented offensive line, led by Oregon commit Cameron Wagner. First up: Prairie Central at Dick Duval Field on Friday night in St. Joseph.➜ Watch out for junior running back Marco Casillas, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards as a sophomore. He and the Bulldogs get a quality test by hosting Morton on Friday night at Frank Dutton Field.➜ Marcus Otto and the Knights have their sights set on another Lincoln Prairie Conference championship. ALAH gets it going when it hosts Villa Grove/Heritage on Friday night at Wilson Field in Arthur.➜ The Comets return nearly all their starters from a 7-3 team a year ago. Kyler Johnson and his teammates embark upon a highly-anticipated season on Saturday night at BHRA.➜ The state’s most high-scoring offense in 2025 brings back a three-year starter at quarterback in Easton Bolin. Expect more success from the Tigers, who open at Iroquois West on Friday.➜ Underestimate a team coached by Cully Welter at your own risk. New quarterback Colton Shubert will make his first start on Friday night when the Sages host Chillicothe IVC in Illini Prairie Conference action.➜ A program with a rich playoff history, Tuscola last won a playoff game in 2022. Three-year starting quarterback Jon Pettry and the Warriors kick it off Friday night at Warrensburg-Latham.➜ New coach will count on returning starting quarterback Tucker Mueller this season. The Falcons have a quality test on Friday night when they host perennial power Tri-Valley.➜ The first of three straight games at Tommy Stewart Field for the Maroons begins on Friday night as new quarterback Luke Harding makes his first start against Danville.➜ Liam Parish and Co. have ample motivation to beat Oakwood on Saturday night after the Comets defeated the Blue Devils 21-13 to end the 2025 regular season. Should be a good one in Bismarck.➜ Centennial is the most consistent area Big 12 program this decade, with four playoff appearances since 20212. First-year coach Keegan Hill will look to keep that trend going, starting Saturday against Urbana.➜ A turnaround season in 2025 that featured a 7-3 record has heightened expectations for quarterback Micah Wiltz and the Mustangs. The task of maintaining that momentum begins Friday night against LeRoy.➜ The days of Sullivan struggling underneath the Friday night lights appear to be done. John Bertetto has gone 30-16 record in his five seasons in charge. His sixth begins Saturday night against Argenta-Oreana.➜ Fullback and linebacker Jamison Chambliss is who Vermilion Valley Conference teams will be leery of when they face the Storm, who open Friday night at Clifton Central.➜ If Max Wilson and the rest of the Blue Devils leave Arthur with a win against