ALEDO - People who couldn't make it down to Champaign watched the Mercer County High School football game Friday in town.
Beer Belly's Bar in downtown Aledo had about 25 people watching the game Friday afternoon. Mercer County beat Althoff Catholic 14-7 in the Class 2A state title.
"It's the best thing that could ever happen to this community," Joy resident Ron Parkinson said. "It really is."
Just three years ago, the Westmer School District in Joy and the Aledo School District merged to form the Mercer County School District. Aledo resident Brad Krstic says the merger has taken time for both towns to get used to.
"There have been a lot of mixed sentiments," Krstic said. "We're not Westmer. We're not Dragons. We're Eagles. And what a big win today. State championship flag once again."
It's the first time the consolidated school district has won a football state championship. Aledo formally won three state championships as the Green Dragons in 1998, 2001, and 2002. The town is holding a celebration party for them Sunday at 3 p.m. at the high school gymnasium.