SJO gets win under Friday Night Lights

Brodie Sullivan celebrates a St. Joseph-Ogden touchdown with teammates during second half action against visiting St. Thomas More. After giving up an early touchdown in the first quarter on a STM pass play, the SJO defense jelled into a nearly impenetrable wall repelling every Saber effort to score for the remainder of the conference opener on Friday. The Spartans went on to win the bout, 36-8. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

Above: Spartan defenders Sam Wesley and Payton Cain tie up St. Thomas more running back Braylon Peacock for a stop during first quarter action. Right: Running back Jarrett Stevenson carries the ball for the Spartans for long gain. The senior had a huge opening night running for 173 yards, four touchdowns and converting three times on two-point conversions thanks to an explosive line on special teams. (Photos: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

The Maroon Platoon, St. Joseph-Ogden's student section, cheers the football team on to victory. See more photos from the game here: SJO vs STM Football. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

Members of the SJO Marching Band perform one of the two movements from their competition show routine called "Decomposer". More photos of the band's performance debut will be added to the gallery later this week. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

Flag team members entertain spectators during the halftime show while performing with this year's marching band. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

Senior Brodie Sullivan, left, listens to directions from head coach Shawn Skinner with assistant coach Ben Gorman and other players during a timeout. Skinner, a SJO alum entering his fourth season at the helm, picked up his 15th victory as the Spartan head coach. See the first installment of Friday's game photos here . . . (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

No luck needed, SJO tarnishes visiting Saints, 18-7

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

St. Joseph-Ogden's Jordan Kelly runs through the team tunnel before the start of their home game against Bloomington Central Catholic on Friday, September 13. The Spartans, thanks to a stout defensive effort once again, won the Illini Prairie Conference matchup, 18-7. Click this link to see all of the photos from Friday's home game against BCC.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

A full moon floats above the press box at St. Joseph-Ogden High School during Central Catholic game. The Saints, who were held to just ten first downs and only 155 all-purpose yards, had virtually no luck in trying had the Spartans their first loss of the season. The IPC win improved SJO's record to 3-0 and sets the stage for what could be crucial road game at Unity as they step closer to postseason playoff eligibility.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

A flute player from the St. Joseph-Ogden marching band plays the school fight song before the start of the game.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Keaton Nolan is tripped up as he crosses the goal line by a Central Catholic defender on his way to scoring an SJO touchdown. Nolan ran for 107 yards on 20 carries in addition to scoring his TD for St. Joseph-Ogden.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Isaiah Immke cheers with fellow students during the second half of the Spartans home game. The victory put SJO in a two-way tie for first with also unbeaten Illinois Valley Central, who will face St. Joseph-Ogden here under Friday night lights on October 11.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

A member of the Spartan Marching Band plays during the halftime time show. The band performed their competition routine dubbed "Decomposer". See more photos of the band performing . . .

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

With Brayden Weaver providing protection, St. Joseph-Ogden's Crayton Burnett hands off the ball to Keaton Nolan during his team's home game against Bloomington Central Catholic. All three players scored once to lead SJO past BCC, 18-7. Nolan finished with 107 yards and Weaver added another 104 against BCC. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)