Colt to Mustang: Unity-Payson counting on younger players to step up

Published 1:05 pm Friday, July 24, 2026

MENDON, Ill. — With a new cast of characters, Unity-Payson is prepared to go through some growing pains this season.

The Mustangs have to replace a number of key starters and will have to mix in some youth.

“We have a lot of guys that are getting some first-time varsity experience this year,” said Mustangs head coach Matt Woodworth. “I think we’re going to go through some growing pains a little bit, but I think we’ve got a lot of good guys. As every year, there’s a little bit of unknown to start the season.”

While there is inexperience at a number of spots, Unity-Payson returns some veterans who are helping the newcomers along.

“If you watched our first seven-on-seven compared to where we’re at now, it’s a completely different team,” said Unity-Payson senior Troy Miller. “If we keep growing like that, we should be a pretty decent team.”

One advantage Unity-Payson has is a top-notch coaching staff, led by Woodworth.

“Our coaching staff is amazing and what they do is amazing,” said Unity-Payson senior Trenton Jones. “As the weeks go on, our players will definitely adjust and be more focused on what they’re doing week to week.”

While there may be some mistakes early on, the Mustangs are counting on improvement as the season goes on.

“Once we get going, I think we’re going to improve,” said Woodworth. “Hopefully we’ll get ourselves back into the playoffs. We missed the last few years and hopefully we’ll be ready to see if we can make a run by the end of the season.”

The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) has expanded the playoffs, which moves the season up a week.

Although Unity-Payson is coming off back-to-back 4-5 seasons that would now put them in the postseason with that record, it’s not a change that the Mustangs were looking for.

“I’m not a fan,” Woodworth. “I don’t think 2-7 teams belong in the playoffs. You know, football was the only sport left in the IHSA where you had to earn your way to the playoffs. You had to be around a .500 team to have a chance for the playoffs in the past. Expanding the playoff another round moves the season up. We lost several days of practice. I don’t think it was a well thought out proposal.”

Regardless of the playoff format, Unity-Payson is hungry to return to the postseason for the first time since 2023.

“I’d like to be undefeated, but as long as we make it to the playoffs I’ll be happy with my season,” said Jones. “It’s definitely rough just because it’s my senior season and my last time playing with everybody, but it’s going to be fun. I’m definitely ready for it to get started and to have a great season.”

Unity-Payson opens the season up with a road game against conference rival Pleasant Hill on Friday, Aug. 21 at 7 p.m.

The Mustangs will then face Carrollton in the home opener on Friday, Aug. 28.

“We go up against Pleasant Hill in Week 1, and then against a new head coach at Carrollton in Week 2 and I think we have a decent chance of starting 2-0,” said Miller. “But it really depends on how good our poise is going into each game, how focused we are and our general effort. I mean, it’s football and any team can win in any given week.”

The Unity-Payson senior class is excited to get the season going.

“I think our team’s going to be really focused coming into Week 1, and I think Pleasant Hill is going to be tough,” said Jones. “It’s going to be a tough team. They got a lot of people coming back this year, and I think our team’s going to be able to do something pretty special this year.”