Byron got more than a momentum-changing turnover early against host Richmond-Burton.

Almost immediately afterward, Tigers all-stater Caden Considine got his confidence, or at least he rediscovered his “explosive-play ability,” as he called it. That might have shaken the confidence of the Rockets’ stingy defense, which had held seven of its 12 opponents going into Saturday’s Class 3A state semifinal to single-digit points.

A confident Considine crushed the home team. Considine rushed for 287 yards and five touchdowns on 24 carries, as second-seeded Byron rallied from an early deficit to beat No. 1 Richmond-Burton 44-10 in Richmond.

The win earned Byron (13-0) a berth in the state championship game against Tolono Unity (12-1). The teams will play at 4 p.m. Friday at Illinois State Unive

See Full Page