St. Joseph-Ogden quarterback Logan Smith dives into the end zone to score the first touchdown on Dick Duval Field's newly installed turf surface on Friday. Smith scored five times and three a 31-yard TD in the Spartans 40-14 win over visiting Monticello.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
SJO's Tim Blackburn-Kelley hauls in a short pass during the first quarter of play against the Sages. The explosive sophomore running back finished the night with 38 yards on seven carries and hauled in three passes for 31 yards. Blackburn-Kelley and the Spartans travel to Hicks Field this Friday to face Illini Prairie Conference favorite Unity. The Rockets also won their season opener defeating Prairie Central at home, 27-12.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
Monticello quarterback Luke Teschke, a senior, prepares throw the ball deep into SJO territory during the first quarter of their conference game. Teschke threw for 248 yards against the Spartans and ran collected 128 of the Sages' 177 yards rushing.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
SJO student fans cheer after another Spartan first down during first quarter action.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
Monticello's Jeremiah Wenke and Brandon Peters celebrate as teammate Raiden Colbert completes his 32-yard run through the St. Joseph-Ogden defense for a touchdown. The Sages would score their only other score in the third quarter on a 27-yard pass play.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
St. Joseph-Ogden English teacher Ashton Harwood (center) works with student-journalists Maya Botts (left) and Grace Getty (right) on the sidelines during first half. In just one year's time, the high school's journalism program grew from 12 students during the previous academic year to nearly 50 students. Harwood said that after a long hiatus SJO's school newspaper resume publishing again this school year.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
A trio of St. Joseph-Ogden football fans share a laugh during a lull in second half action at Dick Duval Field.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
Student fans cheer for the Spartans during the first half of the Illini Prairie Conference game.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
Spartan quarterback Logan Smith rolls out of the pocket in the second quarter. Smith led SJO's offense with 102 yards rushing and threw for another 163 yards. With the speed and mobility of a seasoned tailback, four of the five senior's touchdowns on Friday came inside the red zone.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
A flag girl waits for the command to begin her routine during the SJO Marching Band's halftime show.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
A member of the SJO Marching Band plays rototoms during halftime.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
Ray Gutierrez, Braxton Waller, Kodey McKinney, and Corbin Wells celebrate a recovered Monticello fumble.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
Lightning illuminates the sky to the west of St. Joseph forcing officials to suspend the game until a small storm system passes through the area.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
Kicker Joe Frasca kicks off to resume the game after a lightning delay in the third quarter.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
Die-hard SJO fans watch the game from under their umbrella after a nearly hour and half lightning delay.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
Spartan fans endure a light rain during third quarter action.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
With his team up on the scoreboard, Spartan linebacker James Barron is all smiles in the fourth quarter.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
Sophomore running back Wyatt Wertz takes the ball in a handoff from SJO quarterback Kodey McKinney for a short gain during fourth quarter action. Wertz had four touches to finish with 26 yards rushing.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
Following tradition, the entire Spartan football team sings the school song after their first victory on Dick Duval Field's new turf.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
Stat girls from the St.Joseph-Ogden football team sing the school song after the game with the team and fans.
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
