Still undefeated! Spartans outlasts visiting Rockets in playoff win

The Unity defense held St. Joseph-Ogden to under 40 points again, something only one other team has done this season. Keeping their foot on the gas, the Spartan multi-faceted offense was relentless in moving the ball down the field against their archrivals.

Photos: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

St. Joseph-Ogden's Ike Shelato erupts with joy while teammates Jameson Ennis and Lucas Waters join the celebration after Shelato's interception with 25 seconds left on the clock in the Spartans' second-round playoff game against Unity. SJO outlasts the Rockets 35-21, advancing to another home playoff game next Saturday.

LEFT: SJO's Lane McKinney avoids a tackle attempt by Garrison Cler. McKinney scored three times, finishing the day with 192 yards on 30 carries. MIDDLE: Unity's Jackson Cheely is lifted off his feet by Spartan Ike Shelato with the help of teammate Royce Loschen during a second-half play. RIGHT: Rockets' Beckham Brink hauls in a pass despite intense coverage by St. Joseph-Ogden d-back Lane McKinney.

Photos: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

St. Joseph-Ogden student fan section celebrate with players after the Spartans' home playoff victory. The Maroon Platoon will be back Dick Duval Field next Saturday when SJO hosts Mt. Carmel in Class 3A quarterfinal battle of the unbeaten. More photos from this game dropping on Monday.

TAGS: SJO quarterback Lane McKinney, Unity receive Beckham Brink, St. Joe-Unity playoff game, Illini Prairie football teams, IHSA football playoff game, Second round IHSA playoff football, SJO - Unity football

Fire it up! Opening-round IHSA football playoff predictions

We picked 12 random opening-round games from across all eight IHSA classes for our panel of football experts to predict outcomes in this week's postseason pigskin pick 'em.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Prairie Central quarterback Collin Kilgus turns to handoff the ball to running back Kinser Benjamin during their team's road game at St. Joseph-Ogden. The 4-5 Hawks start the 2026 playoff journey with a trip to Palos Heights to take on No. 15 Chicago Christian (5-4) on Friday, Oct. 23 at 7:15 pm. Prairie Central finished in fifth in the Illini Prairie Conference standings and earned a No. 18 seed in this year's new IHSA playoff format. See six predictions from this week's experts below for tomorrow's game.

#18 Prairie Central at #15 Chicago Christian

Frank	Chicago Christian 28-14	.:
Cory	Chicago Christian 24-17	.:
DoubleJ	Chicago Christian 28-21	.:
Cory H - Steamers	Prairie Central 26-20	.:
Hillary	Chicago Christian 21-6	.:
The Sentinel	Chicago Christian 28-21	.:

#23 Robinson at #10 Unity

Frank	Unity 35-14	.:
Cory	Unity 21-7	.:
DoubleJ	Unity 42-14	.: Unity rolls this one.
Cory H - Steamers	Unity 34-10	.:
Hillary	Unity 7-28	.:
The Sentinel	Unity 42-21	.: The Rockets will go 2-0 against the Maroons after Saturday's win.

#23 Pontiac vs. #10 Dyett

Frank	Dyett 36-8	.:
Cory	Dyett 21-7	.:
DoubleJ	Dyett 35-16	.:
Cory H - Steamers	Dyett 24-21	.:
Hillary	Pontiac 17-3	.:
The Sentinel	Dyett 28-21	.: This where we find out how well IPC prepared the Indians for the playoffs.

#37 Stevenson at #28 Lockport

Frank	Lockport 28-14	.:
Cory	Stevenson 21-17	.:
DoubleJ	Lockport 21-14	.:
Cory H - Steamers	Lockport 21-17	.:
Hillary	Stevenson 24-21	.:
The Sentinel	Lockport 28-14	.: Lockport defense will make the difference.

#38 Joliet West at #27 O'Fallon

Frank	O'Fallon 28-21	.:
Cory	O'Fallon 14-3	.:
DoubleJ	O'Fallon 28-20	.:
Cory H - Steamers	O'Fallon 32-24	.:
Hillary	Joliet West 31-21	.:
The Sentinel	Joliet West 28-14	.: JW playing a tougher schedule wins this one.

#17 Champaign Central
at #16 East Moline United

Frank	United 28-24	.:
Cory	United 31-28	.: Home field advantage will be a factor in this game, as both teams have had very similar stats.
DoubleJ	United 17-14	.:
Cory H - Steamers	United 17-16	.:
Hillary	United 21-0	.:
The Sentinel	Central 28-21	.: Central has the momentum riding on a four-game win streak.

#18 Reed-Custer at #15 Stillman Valley

Frank	Stillman Valley 21-14	.:
Cory	Reed-Custer 21-7	.:
DoubleJ	Reed-Custer 20-18	.:
Cory H - Steamers	Stillman Valley 24-16	.:
Hillary	Stillman Valley 17-10	.:
The Sentinel	Reed-Custer 15-7	.: Looks like heartbreaker in the making for one team.

#20 Chicago Marshall Coop
at #13 Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin

Frank	BHRA 28-21	.:
Cory	BHRA 24-17	.:
DoubleJ	Marshall 16-8	.:
Cory H - Steamers	BHRA 32-12	.:
Hillary	Marshall 28-0	.:
The Sentinel	Marshall 42-12	.: BHRA will have their hands full containing Marshall's speed.

#23 Dupo at #10 Villa Grove-Heritage

Frank	VG-H 35-14	.:
Cory	VG-H 48-13	.: Gavin Taylor Jr. Is one heck of a Wide receiver to look for. The kid put 172-yard receiving against Sullivan.
DoubleJ	VG-H 22-6	.:
Cory H - Steamers	VG-H 26-8	.:
Hillary	VG-H 10-7	.:
The Sentinel	VG-H 28-14	.: Blue Devils advance if their offense is firing on all cylinders.

#23 Georgetown-Ridge Farm
at #10 Warrensburg-Latham

Frank	Warrensburg-Latham 42-7	.:
Cory	Warrensburg-Latham 52-20	.:
DoubleJ	Warrensburg-Latham 42-7	.:
Cory H - Steamers	Warrensburg-Latham 28-14	.:
Hillary	Warrensburg-Latham 14-3	.:
The Sentinel	Warrensburg-Latham 36-14	.:

#46 Andrew at #19 Buffalo Grove

Frank	Buffalo Grove 41-28	.:
Cory	Buffalo Grove 34-12	.:
DoubleJ	Buffalo Grove 35-6	.:
Cory H - Steamers	Buffalo Grove 34-20	.:
Hillary	Buffalo Grove 35-0	.:
The Sentinel	Buffalo Grove 35-14	.: Andrew has the talent to pull off an upset but falls short.

#17 Tinley Park at #16 Woodstock North

Frank	Tinley Park 28-21	.:
Cory	Tinley Park 28-14	.:
DoubleJ	Woodstock North 24-20	.:
Cory H - Steamers	Tinley Park 34-26	.:
Hillary	Woodstock North 7-10	.:
The Sentinel	Woodstock North 28-21	.:

Want to share your predictions and go head-to-head with the experts in our first-round poll? Visit OurSentinel.com on Monday for details.

TAGS: Lockport Porters football prediction, Unity plays Robinson in opening-round football game, Praire Central Hawks travel to Chicago Christian, two Tinley Park teams hoping to make playoff noise, high school football predictions

Friday Night Forecast |
Week 9 Illini Prairie Conference football predictions

Last week, three of our guest prognosticators went a perfect 5-0. This week, we have seven analysts with predictions for IPC teams and their final regular-season game. Who will finish the season with yet another perfect forecast?

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

ST. JOSEPH - Keegan Schol runs the ball during his team's road game against the Spartans in September. At 2-6, IVC hosts Rantoul tonight looking for win that secures playoff eligibility under the new, expanded IHSA football playoffs this season. See below this week's game predictions.

	Cory	Best Look Magazine	Frank
Prairie Central vs Bloomington Central Catholic	Bloomington Central Catholic 49-14	Bloomington Central Catholic 35-14	Bloomington Central Catholic 35-21

Illinois Valley Central vs Rantoul	Illinois Valley Central 28-7	Illinois Valley Central 24-20	Illinois Valley Central 45-14

Monticello vs Paxton-Buckley-Loda	Monticello 35-21	Monticello 31-20	Monticello 38-7

St. Joseph-Ogden vs Pontiac	St. Joseph-Ogden 54-14	St. Joseph-Ogden 28-14	St. Joseph-Ogden 54-21

Unity vs Mt. Vernon	Unity 45-21	Unity 20-8	Unity 28-21
Game Notes:	Six out of the nine IPC teams qualified for a spot. What does that say about the quality of the league this season? I say that just goes to show that the IPC is one of the hardest conferences in Illinois. The last two state championships have had IPC teams as runners-up.	Six out of the nine IPC team qualified for spot. What does that say about the quality of the league this season? I don't think it says a lot about the conference. The IHSA has built a playoff scenario where you can go 4 and 5 and have a decent chance of making the brackets.	The IPC has shown itself to be the best 3A conference in the state the last few years. I would expect at least 2 teams to make a deep playoff run.

	Coltrane	DoubleJ	Bement Bulldogs
Prairie Central vs Bloomington Central Catholic	Bloomington Central Catholic 34-28	Bloomington Central Catholic 27-12	Bloomington Central Catholic 28-13

Illinois Valley Central vs Rantoul	Illinois Valley Central 68-34	Illinois Valley Central 28-6	Illinois Valley Central 33-24

Monticello vs Paxton-Buckley-Loda	Monticello 42-12	Monticello 41-14	Monticello 35-6

St. Joseph-Ogden vs Pontiac	St. Joseph-Ogden 35-20	St. Joseph-Ogden 54-18	St. Joseph-Ogden 48-12

Unity vs Mt. Vernon	Unity 48-12	Unity 42-27	Mt.Vernon 28-25
Game Notes:	The IPC is hands down the deepest and toughest downstate small school conference I don’t think any conference comes close, we have had at least one team in the 3A Semi finals 4 of the last 5 years. And 3 of the last 5 have had a team in the 3A state title game. You have 4 Central IL blue bloods make up the top of the conference. Also 7 of 9 schools have made at least 1 state title appearance in their history.	IPC is a quality league. Tough games every week. That said, the IHSA playoffs are NOT what they once were. It used to mean something to make the playoffs, not so much anymore.	IVC will get it done vs Rantoul. IPC is top 3A conference in the state year in and year out.

	The Sentinel
Prairie Central vs Bloomington Central Catholic	Bloomington Central Catholic 38-21

Illinois Valley Central vs Rantoul	Illinois Valley Central 36-21

Monticello vs Paxton-Buckley-Loda	Monticello 28-20

St. Joseph-Ogden vs Pontiac	St. Joseph-Ogden 54-28

Unity vs Mt. Vernon	Unity 35-21
Game Notes:	Game to watch is Rantoul at IVC. A win for the Eagles denies IVC a possible playoff bid and a celebration on their first win since their 2024 win over Pontiac.

Week 7 Results

1. DoubleJ .::. 5-0
1. Best Look Magazine .::. 5-0
1. Frank .::. 5-0
4. Sentinel .::. 4-1
5. Coltrane .::. 3-2

Friday Night Forecast Leaderboard

1. Sentinel .::. 34-5
2. DoubleJ .::. 33-6
2. Best Look Magazine .::. 33-6
4. Frank .::. 28-6
5. Coltrane .::. 28-7
6. Bement Bulldogs .::. 13-2
7. Sagesrunner .::. 11-4
8. SCOTTY P .::. 8-2
9. Steve .::. 5-0
10. Laura .::. 3-1
10. Naomi .::. 3-1
12. Buddy .::. 3-2

Statistical Leaders

1. Steve .::. 100.00%
2. Sentinel .::. 87.18%
3. Bement Bulldogs .::. 86.67%
4. Best Look Magazine .::. 84.62%
4. DoubleJ .::. 84.62%
6. Frank .::. 82.35%
7. Coltrane .::. 80.00%
7. SCOTTY P .::. 80.00%

8. Naomi .::. 75.00%
8. Laura .::. 75.00%
10. Sagesrunner .::. 73.33%
11. Buddy .::. 60.00%

Week 1 Predictions • Week 2 Predictions • Week 3 Predictions
Week 4 Predictions • Week 5 Predictions • Week 6 Predictions
Week 7 Predictions • Week 8 Predictions

You pick 'em |
Week 9 Illini Prairie football predictions

Logan Wedig runs through the Tinley Park Andrew defense

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

St. Joseph-Ogden's Logan Wedig tries to run past two Andrew defenders during their non-conference game at Dick Duval Field on Friday. The Spartans defeated the Thunderbolts 62-33 to remain one of 28 undefeated teams in the state this season. Wedig caught two TD passes, one for 32 yards in the first quarter and a 25-yarder in the second quarter. The sophomore receiver finished the game with five catches for 104 yards. Next up, SJO travels to Pontiac for their regular season finale.

URBANA - This is our final week of the season of Illini Prairie Conference football coverage. Want to put your football prediction skills to the test? Fill out this week's ballot for the Friday Night Forecast below.

Drop back by OurSentinel.com Friday morning to see which teams are predicted to win by this week's Pigskin Prophets.

This week's Illini Prairie games

Unity vs Mt. Vernon
St. Joseph-Ogden @ Pontiac
Rantoul @ Illinois Valley Central
Monticello @ Paxton-Buckley-Loda
Bloomington Central Catholic @ Prairie Central

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Week 8 Illini Prairie Conference Scores

Paxton-Buckley-Loda 30, Rantoul 26
Bloomington Central Catholic 31, Pontiac 28
Monticello 21, Prairie Central 8
Unity 64, Illinois Valley Central 24
St. Joseph-Ogden 62, Andrew 33

WEEK 8 FORECAST RESULTS

1. Frank ... 5-0
1. DoubleJ ... 5-0
1. Best Look Magazine ... 5-0
4. Sentinel ... 4-1
5. Coltrane ... 3-2

TAGS: St. Joseph-Ogden football predictions, Monticello Sages football predictions, Sentinel's Friday night football predictions, Illini Prairie Conference football predictions, High School football predictions, East Central Illinois high school football

Friday Night Forecast |
Week 8 Illini Prairie Conference football predictions

"Run the ball effectively and they can outlast Andrew." That's what one Illini Prairie analyst says in this week's Friday Night Forecast.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

ST. JOSEPH - It takes three Saints offensive players to keep St. Joseph-Ogden's Cameron Wagner out of the backfield during Bloomington Central Catholic's road Illini Prairie game last week. Eli Peterlin, Carson Whitworth, and Jordan Lewis will have their work cut out for them against when the league's sleeper Pontiac comes to town today. Meanwhile, Wagner and the Spartans hosts Andrew from Tinley Park, a school with four times their enrollment, to Dick Duval Field.

	Frank	Best Look Magazine	Coltrane
Pontiac vs Bloomington Central Catholic	Bloomington Central Catholic 45-13	Bloomington Central Catholic 35-14	Bloomington Central Catholic 26-12

Illinois Valley Central vs Unity	Unity 28-7	Unity 38-14	Unity 48-6

Monticello vs Prairie Central	Monticello 28-14	Monticello 28-17	Prairie Central 28-20

Rantoul vs Paxton-Buckley-Loda	Paxton-Buckley-Loda 28-21	Paxton-Buckley-Loda 28-20	Rantoul 48-42

St. Joseph-Ogden vs Andrew	St. Joseph-Ogden 42-35	St. Joseph-Ogden 28-17	St. Joseph-Ogden 48-35
Game Notes:	SJO will win if they continue to have a balanced offense.	Depth. The players on the depth chart are gonna need to step up and be counted for the Spartans to win this one.	Monticello is starting to concern me they don’t look as good as they did the first few weeks, they struggled with Wing style formations Pontiac ran on them so I think if PC doesn’t turn the ball over and the prevent big plays from Monticello I think they will win.

	DoubleJ	The Sentinel
Pontiac vs Bloomington Central Catholic	Bloomington Central Catholic 38-8	Bloomington Central Catholic 36-14

Illinois Valley Central vs Unity	Unity 42-14	Unity 42-14

Monticello vs Prairie Central	Monticello 35-14	Monticello 28-21

Rantoul vs Paxton-Buckley-Loda	Paxton-Buckley-Loda 8-6	Rantoul 28-14

St. Joseph-Ogden vs Andrew	St. Joseph-Ogden 34-28	St. Joseph-Ogden 28-21
Game Notes:	SJO will need to control the clock. Run the ball effectively and they can outlast Andrew.	There is a an old Chinese saying: "Come like lightning. Go like thunder." If SJO get up at least three scores in the first half. They got the W.

Week 7 Results

1. Sentinel ... 5-0
2. Coltrane ... 4-1
2. DoubleJ ... 4-1
2. Best Look Magazine ... 4-1
2. Frank ... 4-1

Friday Night Forecast Leaderboard

1. Sentinel ... 30-4 2. DoubleJ ... 28-6
2. Best Look Magazine ... 28-6
4. Coltrane ... 25-5
5. Frank ... 23-6
6. Bement Bulldogs ... 13-2
7. Sagesrunner ... 11-4
8. SCOTTY P ... 8-2
9. Steve ... 5-0
10. Buddy ... 3-2
11. Laura ... 3-1
11. Naomi ... 3-1

Statistical Leaders

1. Steve ... 100.00% (5/5)
2. Sentinel ... 88.24% (30/34)
3. Bement Bulldogs ... 86.67% (13/15)
4. Coltrane ... 83.33% (25/30)
5. DoubleJ ... 82.35% (28/34)
5. Best Look Magazine ... 82.35% (28/34)
7. SCOTTY P ... 80.00% (8/10)
8. Frank ... 79.31% (23-29)
9. Naomi ... 75.00% (3/4)
9. Laura ... 75.00% (3/4)
10. Sagesrunner ... 73.33% (11/15)
11. Buddy ... 60.00% (3/5)

Week 1 Predictions • Week 2 Predictions • Week 3 Predictions
Week 4 Predictions • Week 5 Predictions • Week 6 Predictions
Week 7 Predictions

Photo Gallery |
St. Joseph-Ogden defeats Central Catholic

The Spartans (7-0) win their Illini Prairie game clinching the conference title with a 54-42 over visiting Bloomington Central Catholic (5-2). Check out 47 photos from the game in the slideshow below.

St. Joseph-Ogden away football game vs Monticello

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Photos: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

TAGGED: BCC football, St. Joseph-Ogden beats Bloomington Central Catholic at home, photo gallery from the Spartan home game against the Saints, SJO football team wins conference game, Illini Prairie football game

Illustrious - Showcases and the stories behind Illinois’ most iconic high school gyms

CHICAGO - On a quiet Saturday afternoon in January 2012, at the Oak Park-River Forest field house, a simple thought refused to leave Vincent Johnson alone.

Covering a girls basketball game for the Oak Leaves, Johnson found himself looking beyond the box score and into the bones of the building itself. The space was overwhelming in the best way. Big. Empty. Striking. The field house - massive, architectural, overwhelming in character - was alive with echoes. The gym itself demanded his attention.

Get the full story...

Microplastics and our water: What families should know

By StatePoint Media

Statistics show if that if you’re not filtering your water the right way, your family is likely consuming microplastics.

An overwhelming 94% of U.S. tap water is contaminated with fragments of plastic pollution called microplastics, and bottled water does not fare ...

Still undefeated! Spartans outlasts visiting Rockets in playoff win

Fire it up! Opening-round IHSA football playoff predictions