Unity Christian Lions Football

New year. New vision. Same goal.

These two young men competed back-to-back this evening on the same mat for an IHSA State Wrestling Championship.

Those results are easy to find and if you look you will be able to seek them out fairly easily on social media. What is more important is the work that went into getting to this point. The process.

Over the last four years these two have done everything they could possibly do to improve not only themselves, but everyone and everything with which they have been associated. They are the most tireless workers this program has ever seen. They are two of the best young men this school has ever educated. And most important, they lead with a Christian heart.

Garrett and Clinton are champions because they see their value as they've been created in God's image and recognize that the greatest victory that has ever or will ever be won is Jesus' over sin, death and Satan.

This football program, athletic department and school are better because of you both and the way you go about glorifying God with the gifts he has given you.

Week 1 @ Pawnee Indians
Week 2 vs South Fork Ponies (Senior Night)
Week 3 --- Bye Week
Week 4 vs Martinsville Bluestreaks
Week 5 @ Hutsonville/Palestine Pioneer Tigers
Week 6 vs Meridian Hawks (Cheer Camp Night)
Week 7 @ Metro East Lutheran Knights
Week 8 vs Oblong Panthers
Week 9 vs Cerro Gordo/Bement Broncos (Homecoming)
Week 10 @ West Prairie/Southeastern Cyclones

* Dates and times TBD

Our wrestling coach, Zach Whitsel, tragically lost his father this past weekend.

This is especially difficult because of how generous Coach Whitsel is and what a huge supporter his father was of our wrestling program.

Please consider supporting the Whitsel family during this incredibly difficult time.

Donate to Help Us Lay Our Dad, William "Bill" Whitsel, to Rest, organized by Zachary Whitsel On behalf of my sister Tia and myself, we are heartbroken to shar… Zachary Whitsel needs your support for Help Us Lay Our Dad, William "Bill" Whitsel, to Rest

Thank you for your service.

Congratulations to our I8FA East All-District Team members!

43 CARRIES!?!?!

Clinton VerHeecke, you are ridiculous!

The Lions concluded their 2025 campaign with a hard-fought victory against perennial powerhouse, Milford-Cissna Park. MCP is one of the elite programs in the I8FA and always bring out the best in us when we line up against them. Coach Schwartz leads with class and integrity, and we wish him and his team the very best of luck as they begin their playoff run.

Unfortunately, our final record of 4-5 narrowly missed a playoff birth, despite the strength of schedule. Regardless, it was an incredible effort on the part of the UCS. Clinton Verheecke finished his season with a "Superman-like" 43-carry effort that netted him 223 yards and 3 TD. This brought his rushing total for the year to 1300+ yards! Isaiah Johnson (615 yards/5 games), Austin Kretzinger (508 yards/8 games) and Jaeden Jackson(507 yards/6 games) all added at least 500 yards rushing on the season to bring the team rushing total to over 3,000 yards. Our ground attack was led by fullback, Garrett VerHeecke, who also jumped to 4th place on the LSA/UCS all-time tackles list (234 tackles), and an offensive line who returns all of its starters in 2026.

Perhaps the most mind-bending stat from today is the time of possession, which saw Unity hold on the football for over 41 minutes! This, along with two takeaways, was just enough to keep the high-powered Bearcats offense off the field enough to secure the win.

To our incredible Unity Football community -- thank you for your unwavering support this year. It has made all the difference to our players and coaches. Through ups and downs, cheers and tears, you've battled alongside us no matter the circumstance. We are thankful for your passion!

Today was also the final time our eight seniors got to wear the red and black. To all of you -- Jaeden, Lily, Wyatt, Washington, Jackson, Xander, Garrett, and Clinton -- You’ve each lived out what it means to “leave it better than you found it.” Over the years, you’ve weathered challenges both on and off the field. You have embraced new roles and ideas with excitement and courage. Most of all, you have helped this team grow in faith, discipline, and unity. Your leadership and perseverance have set a standard for every player who will follow.

We love you all, we thank you, and we celebrate how you’ve served others, sacrificed for your teammates, and glorified God in the process.

Congratulations to Clinton VerHeecke, Unity's newest member of the 1,000-Yard Club! With his 207-yard effort yesterday, he now sits at 1,068 rushing yards for the season, joining Lleyton Miller, KC Kaufman and Gannon Harshman as only the fourth Lion to ever accomplish this feat.

Unity Christian - 6
St. Thomas More - 0

It only seems fitting that the longest football game in the history of LSA/UCS ends with one of the lowest scores.

After a 70-hour delay, the Lions traveled back to Champaign to complete the final three quarters of their game that was postponed last Saturday evening due to severe weather. It would make sense that drier, more mild conditions would be conducive to higher offensive production, but that was not the case as the only points scored were on the 4th play from scrimmage during the torrential downpour this past weekend.

The Lions were able to move the ball consistently, getting into the redzone on four possessions, but penalties and poor ball security would wreck what could have been a very solid night for the offense as a whole. Despite the hiccups, Clinton VerHeecke's 25-yard TD scamper was not only the lone score of the game, but was the highlight of 19 carry effort that saw him gain 207 yards and become only the third player in school history to join the 1,000-yard rushing club!

However, it was the defensive side of the ball where the Lions shined brightest during this epic affair. Garrett VerHeecke (16 tackles), Will Marley (4 TFL) and Jackson Pettyjohn (5 tackles/forced fumble) were all over the field and made huge plays when they were needed most.

With the win this evening Unity has an opportunity to sneak into the playoffs with a win this coming Saturday against a very dangerous Milford-Cissna Park team. The Bearcats (6-2) enter the contest as heavy favorites, looking to secure a home playoff game with their 7th victory. The last regular season game will kickoff at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 25th.

A HUGE thanks to our football community for continuing to support this team through what has been a roller coaster of a season. We'll need every ounce of energy you have this Saturday!

Clinton VerHeecke: 19 Rushes/207/1 TD
Austin Kretzinger: 17 Rushes/72 Yards/17 Yards Passing/6 Tackles
Garrett VerHeecke: 16 Tackles/5 TFL
Will Marley: 6 Tackles/4 TFL
Jackson Pettyjohn: 5 Tackles/2 TFL/Forced Fumble

Saturday night’s football game between Unity Christian and St. Thomas More was postponed due to inclement weather. The game will resume on Tuesday, October 21st at 6:00 at St. Thomas More High School. The game will begin with 10:12 remaining in the 2nd quarter. Unity will have possession of the ball, 1st down and 10 at the St. Thomas more 21-yard line.