The Sentinel

September 09, 2023

Photo Gallery | Spartans posts road win at Unity

St. Joseph-Ogden's Jackson Ennis blocks Unity's 6'4" 195-pound sophomore lineman Coleton Langendorf during first quarter action of their Illini Prairie Conference regular season game. In a battle of the area's best quarterbacks, the Spartans (2-0) prevailed 38-35 to remain undefeated in conference play.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Top-left: Unity quarterback Dane Eisenmenger hands the ball of to teammate Garret Richardson. Richardson, a junior, finished the game with 53 yards against SJO. Top-right: SJO's Wyatt Wertz tackles a Unity receiver during firt quarter action on September 1. Bottom-left: Spartans' Nolan Earley celebrates a defensive stop against Unity. Bottom-right: St. Joseph-Ogden quarterback Logan Smith dumps off a quick pass during his team road game a Unity. Smith, one of the leagues leading signal callers, threw for 321 yards against the Rockets.

Photos: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Unity senior Brock Suding celebrates a defensive stop on the 10-yard line by the Rockets. The Rockets would later score two touchdowns in the quarter to go up 14-3 on the Spartans.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Top-left: Rockets' Tre Hoggard returns a kickoff in the first quarter. Hoggard, a sophomore, carried the ball 11 yards before being stopped on the play. Top-right: Unity's Ethan Reifsteck and Ryan Rink try to stop St. Joseph-Ogden's Justice Wertz during first half action. Bottom-left: SJO fans look concerned as Unity picks up another first down against the Spartans. Bottom-right: Dane Eisenmenger looks to unload a pass in the first half. Eisenmenger, a sophomore and starting QB, finished the game completing 15 of 26 passes for 197 yards.

Photos: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

SJO student fans celebrate a first down as the Spartans march the ball down the field. Spectators were treated to a great offensive and defensive battle between the two rival teams.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Justice Wertz crosses into the east end zone at Hicks Field to score St. Joseph-Ogden's first touchdown of the game after an 11-yard run. The two-point converstion good on a pass from Logan Smith to Tanner Siems, SJO trailed 14-11 on the scoreboard. Wertz went on to finished the night with 53 yards rushing.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Top-left:Tanner Siems makes a catch in the end zone for a Spartan two-point conversion. Top-right: Joe Frasca boots a PAT to give SJO an 18-14 lead in the second quarter. Bottom-left: SJO's Tanner Siems barrels his way through the Unity defense. Bottom-right: Igniting St. Joseph-Ogden fans in to a cheering frenzy, three-sport athlete Coy Taylor celebrates his go-ahead TD in the east end zone at Hicks Field giving his team a 17-14 lead before Frasca's extra point conversion moments later.

Photos: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Justice Wertz, Tanner Siems, and Tim Blackburn-Kelley celebrate Siems' catch on at two-point converstion to cut St. Joseph-Ogden's deficit to three on the scoreboard.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Top-left: Unity running back Garrett Richardson turns on the speed while carrying the ball in the first half. Top-right: Richardson gets the call on another play before the end of the first half against visiting SJO. Bottom-left: Spartans' Coy Taylor is wrapped up and pulled out of bounds by Rocket defender Coleton Langendorf. Bottom-right: St. Joseph-Ogden Nolan Earley 'pancakes' a Unity lineman during a play in the third quarter.

Photos: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

St. Joseph-Ogden senior Mitch Wright clears a path while fighting off Unity defenders during second quarter action. The Spartan offense finished the night with 446 yards.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Left and Right: Members of the Unity Marching Band perform during halftime. Middle: Rocket student fans show support for their team during the start of the second half.

Photos: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Members of the Unity dance team perform during halftime. In complete control of the game, the Rockets led at the break, 28-18.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Left: SJO QB Logan Smith is brought down by Unity defenders in the fourth quarter. Center: St. Joseph-Ogden head coach Shawn Skinner praises players after a big play. Right: Spartan lineman Nolan Earley explodes with excitement after teammate Garrent Denhart recovered a Unity fumble halting a drive that would have likely resulting in a score in the final minutes of the Illini Prairie Conference contest.

Photos: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

SJO senior Garrett Denhart celebrates as he returns to the sideline after recovering a Unity fumble with 2:29 left in the game. The recovery on the play ended a long march down the field by the Rockets and allowed the St. Joseph-Ogden to protect their three-point lead for the eventual win.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

St. Joseph-Ogden assistant coach Ben Gorman celebrates his team's win after time expires on the scoreboard. Gorman, an SJO alum, was a three-sport athlete for the Spartans.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Left: Junior wide receiver Tanner Siems celebrates his team's victory before congratulating Rocket players on a game well-played. Siems made six catches for 89 yards in the road win. Right: SJO junior Josh Courter rushes to the sidelines to join players and fans to sing the school song after the game.

Photos: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks