Christie Clinic Shootout returns in January: Unity, Monticello, SJO are back

The 2026 Christie Clinic Shootout tips off Jan. 10 at SJO, featuring six top varsity matchups and a full day of basketball excitement.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Monticello's Ike Young tries to dribble past Seneca's Grant Siegal. The Sages return to the Christie Clinic Shootout without Young in January 2026.

by Clark Brooks

Sentinel Sports
ST. JOSEPH — The calendar may have just turned to a new year, but the competition is already heating up on the hardwood. Just ten days into 2026, the annual Christie Clinic Shootout at St. Joseph-Ogden High School will tip off, marking the unofficial midway point of the IHSA basketball season and for many programs, a perfect midyear measuring stick. The Shootout has grown into more than just a series of basketball games, it’s becoming a midseason tradition for teams gearing up for a deep postseason run.

The one-day showcase on Saturday, January 10, features six varsity matchups between some of central Illinois’ most competitive teams, beginning at noon in the main gym. A full JV slate will also take place in the practice gym starting at 10 a.m., giving fans a chance to settle in for a complete day of basketball.

St. Joseph-Ogden, Unity, and Monticello will once again represent the Illini Prairie Conference, and all three are looking to repeat the sweep they pulled off at last year’s event. The Spartans handled Warrensburg-Latham 59-49, Unity outpaced Fieldcrest 77-68, and Monticello edged Seneca 62-56 in a thriller.

Collin Thomey
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Collin Thomey snags a rebound for St. Joseph-Ogden in the 2025 Christie Clinic Shootout. SJO will play Tremont in the shootout finale on January 10.

Mt. Zion returns to the shootout after a narrow 65-60 loss to Moline in last year’s lineup, while Bismarck-Henning also comes back following a hard-fought 68-62 victory over Normal University earlier this season. Between these returning programs and the IPC contenders, fans can expect fast play, defensive grit, and more than a few highlight moments.

All JV and varsity games will feature eight-minute quarters, with roughly 12 minutes between contests for warmups.

Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for students with valid IDs. One ticket grants access to the entire day — a chance to see six competitive varsity games and an equally engaging lineup of JV contests.

2026 Christie Clinic Shootout Schedule

Varsity (SJO HS Main Gym)

12:00 PM: (SW Locker Room) Eureka vs. BHRA (NE Locker Room)
1:30 PM: (SE Locker Room) Metamora vs. Mahomet-Seymour (NW Locker Room)
3:00 PM: (SW Locker Room) Peoria vs. Mt. Zion (NE Locker Room)
4:30 PM: (SE Locker Room) El Paso-Gridley vs. Monticello (NW Locker Room)
6:00 PM: (SW Locker Room) Warrensburg-Latham vs. Unity (NE Locker Room)
7:30 PM: (SE Locker Room) Tremont vs. St. Joseph-Ogden (NW Locker Room)


Junior Varsity (SJO PRACTICE GYM)

10:00 AM: (SE Locker Room) Eureka vs. BHRA (NW Locker Room)
11:30 AM: (SW Locker Room) Metamora vs. Mahomet-Seymour (NE Locker Room)
1:00 PM: (B103) Peoria vs. Mt. Zion (B106)
2:30 PM: (B102) El Paso-Gridley vs. Monticello (B105)
4:00 PM: (B103) Warrensburg-Latham vs. Unity (B106)
5:30 PM: (B102) Tremont vs. St. Joseph-Ogden (B105)


More Christie Clinic headlines

TAGS: Christie Clinic Shootout 2026, St. Joseph-Ogden basketball, Central Illinois high school sports, Illini Prairie Conference showcase, SJO athletics news

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St. Joseph-Ogden to host eight-team girls basketball shootout Dec. 13

The court will be buzzing Dec. 13! The SJO Girls Basketball Shootout brings top programs like Pleasant Plains, Eureka, and Unity to town.

Kayla Osterbur pulls down a rebound for SJO
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

St. Joseph-Ogden's Kayla Osterbur hauls in a rebound during the Spartans' 2023 Country Financial Shootout game. The event returns to SJO for a third time on December 13.

by Clark Brooks

Sentinel Sports
ST. JOSEPH - St. Joseph-Ogden High School will host an eight-team girls basketball shootout on Saturday, Dec. 13. Pleasant Plains returns to kick off the action at 1 p.m., facing Cissna Park. Paris also returns for the one-day event and will take on Eureka, back again after missing the 2024 season. Another new addition this year, Tri-Valley, joins the field and will face Unity in the nightcap.

Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for students with valid student IDs.

All JV and varsity games will feature eight-minute quarters, with about a 12-minute warm-up before each contest.

The Spartans, who will dress nine seniors this season, tip off at 4 p.m. against the Watseka Warriors.

This is the third installment of the shootout sponsored by The Arteaga Insurance Group in St. Joseph started in 2023.

2025 Country Financial JV/VARSITY Girls Basketball Shootout Schedule

Varsity (SJO HS Main Gym)

1:00 PM: (NE Locker Room) Pleasant Plains vs. Cissna Park (SW Locker Room)
2:30 PM: (NW Locker Room) Paris vs. Eureka (SE Locker Room)
4:00 PM: (NE Locker Room) Watseka vs. St. Joseph-Ogden (SW Locker Room)
5:30 PM: (NW Locker Room) Tri-Valley vs. Unity (SE Locker Room)


Junior Varsity (SJO PRACTICE GYM)

11:00 AM: (NE Locker Room) Pleasant Plains vs. Cissna Park (SW Locker Room)
12:30 PM: (NW Locker Room) Paris vs. Eureka (SE Locker Room)
2:00 PM: (NE Locker Room) Watseka vs. St. Joseph-Ogden (SW Locker Room)
3:30 PM: (NW Locker Room) Tri-Valley vs. Unity (SE Locker Room)

TAGGED: St. Joseph-Ogden girls basketball shootout, Illinois high school basketball events, Unity Rockets basketball, Pleasant Plains vs Cissna Park game, SJO Spartans vs Watseka preview
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St. Joseph-Ogden soccer continues historic run with second straight regional title

SJO’s 4-0 win over Uni High delivered multiple milestones: a second consecutive regional title, a first-time season sweep of Uni High, and a record-breaking 23rd win.

Yadi Acosta playing soccer at Dick Duval Field
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

St. Joseph-Ogden junior Yadi Acosta settles the ball during first half action against Unity last week. The Spartans' lead defender helped SJO reach several milestones in their regional title game against Uni-High.

by Clark Brooks

Sentinel Sports
ST. JOSEPH - The St. Joseph-Ogden soccer team is having an impressive, even legendary, season. If there’s one word that describes this year’s squad, head coach Chris Stevens said it’s “family.”

“They all play for each other and know how critical every player’s role is in our overall success,” he said.

On Saturday, that family played together to achieve several impressive milestones at Dick Duval Field. First, SJO’s 4-0 win marked the program’s second consecutive regional title. Second, it was the first time in school history the Spartans shut out perennial small-school powerhouse Urbana University High School. Third, when the final buzzer sounded, it was also the first time St. Joseph-Ogden had beaten Uni High twice in the same season. Finally, the victory pushed the Spartans to their winningest season ever, improving their record to 23-1-2.

Tyler Hess moves the ball down the field
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Tyler Hess dribbles the ball away from a Unity Rocket defender during Tuesday's semifinal match.
“We were extremely thrilled with our players’ performance this past week. We knew Uni High would come ready to play,” Stevens said. “We spent the week preparing both mentally and physically to get the job done. Earning the win against them the second time around was incredibly rewarding—and adding a shutout on top of that made it even better.”

Zach Harper recorded yet another hat trick, and Tyler Hess found the back of the net in the second half to send the Spartans to the Williamsville Sectional semifinal.

Next up, St. Joseph-Ogden will face Athens-Greenview-Illini Central in the sectional semifinal on Tuesday. The Warriors advanced after ending Monticello’s postseason bid with eight seconds left in the first overtime period, winning 3-2. Both the Spartans and Warriors defeated Argenta-Oreana and Meridian-Sangamon Valley by nearly identical scores during the regular season.

“We know both teams will come out playing like they have nothing to lose,” Stevens said about his game plan for Tuesday night. The SJO coaching staff has diligently analyzed game film and will be ready. “We’re going to stay true to our game plan—this team knows how to win, and that’s exactly what we intend to do.”

With three top scorers, the Spartans look poised to advance to the sectional final. Harper has scored 55 goals this season, followed by Hess with 34 and freshman Lucas Stevens with 22. Hunter Cler rounds out SJO’s top four scorers with eight goals.

When asked what the Spartans are doing best right now, Stevens pointed to the team’s mindset. “Consistency is the key,” he said.

St. Joseph-Ogden is scheduled to take on the Warriors at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Williamsville High School.

Zach Harper fires a shot on the Unity Rocket goal
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Zach Harper lines up a shot on Unity's goal during their regional semifinal match. The senior scored six goals to give SJO the win on Tuesday.


Tagged: St. Joseph-Ogden soccer regional championship, IHSA sectional semifinal Williamsville, Zach Harper hat trick Uni High shutout, Illinois high school soccer postseason, SJO Spartans 23-1-2 record 2025 season
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St. Joseph-Ogden set to face #3 Benton Rangers in IHSA Playoffs

Benton Rangers, 9-0 and dominant in the Southern River-to-River, host paper underdogs St. Joseph-Ogden for their First-Round IHSA 2025 playoff game.

Wyatt Wertz run the ball against Pontiac

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

St. Joseph-Ogden's Wyatt Wertz slips a Pontiac tackle during their conference game on Friday. Wertz scored three times and racked up 202 all-purpose yards.
ST. JOSEPH - The IHSA playoff brackets are set, and St. Joseph-Ogden fans have something to circle on their calendars: the Spartans are headed south to take on the third-seeded Benton Rangers in the 2025 First-Round matchup. With a 2 p.m. kickoff on the slate, it’s a road trip with plenty of stakes, as SJO, the #14 seed, prepares to face a team that has steamrolled through the Southern River-to-River all season.

Benton enters the postseason riding a perfect 9-0 record, including an unblemished 5-0 mark in conference play. Their regular season reads like a highlight reel of dominance. In every game but one, the Rangers scored at least 34 points. Only DuQuoin came close to slowing them down, eking out a 17-7 loss that stands as the lone blemish on Benton’s record. On defense, the numbers are just as impressive: 66 points allowed over nine games. This is a team that knows how to control both sides of the ball.

Unity football players celebrate a touchdown against SJO
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Unity's Crewe Eckstein, Josh Heath, and Tre Hoggard celebrate a touchdown during their regular season game against St.Joseph-Odgen.

A big reason for that control is Riley Spencer, Benton’s feature back. The 5'11", 180-pound junior broke the 2,000-yard mark last Friday, adding another chapter to what has been notable campaign for the Southern Illinois powerhouse. Hard to bring down and even harder to anticipate, Spencer has been a one-man highlight machine for the Rangers all season, and SJO’s defensive staff will have their hands full trying to slow him down.

The Spartans, meanwhile, enter the playoffs with momentum and a renewed sense of confidence. SJO snapped a three-game losing streak with a decisive 56-21 victory over Pontiac last week, ending the regular season at 5-4. They were firing on all cylinders, and the return of Wyatt Wertz two weeks ago has been a game-changer. The senior back has found the end zone repeatedly, scoring three times against the Indians and adding two more in the previous week’s win at Seneca. Kaden Wedig, who has been sidelined since Week 6 against Monticello, is cleared to suit up again and contribute. This depth will be critical against a well-oiled Benton machine.

Playoff preparation isn’t just about individual matchups; it’s about rhythm, timing, and knowing how to handle the spotlight. The Spartans have a chip on their shoulder. They know they’ll be stepping onto Benton turf against a team that has scored at will all season, but SJO’s mix of experience, recent success, and renewed health gives them a fighting chance. If the Spartans can control the tempo and execute cleanly on both sides of the ball, they’ll at least give Benton a game worth remembering.

The Illini Prairie Conference sent three other squads into the postseason as well, proving that local football remains highly competitive. Conference champions Bloomington Central Catholic, the #3 seed in the northern bracket, open against #14 Princeton, setting the stage for what promises to be a gauntlet of tough matchups. Up north, teams like IC Catholic, Bishop McNamara, Byron, and Richmond-Burton are all positioned to make deep runs. Raise your hand if you would like to see a semifinal battle between the Saints and the Byron Tigers in three weeks.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Central Catholic quarterback Valshun Powe carries the ball for a first down against St. Joseph-Ogden last Friday. The Saints, who averaged two TDs per quarter to beat the visiting Spartans, will need that same scoring intensity in the Class 3A northern bracket.

In the south bracket, SJO will be joined by #4 Unity, who boasts an 8-1 record, riding a six-game winning streak, faces #14 Mt. Carmel in the first round. #5 Monticello squares off against #12 Paris in what promises to be a first-round home thriller. For SJO, the challenge is clear: one road game at Benton stands between them and another week of SJO football.

As Spartans fans look ahead, the questions are obvious: Can Wyatt Wertz keep rolling and lead the SJO offense? Will Benton’s Riley Spencer continue to carve up defenses like he has all season? And most importantly, can SJO rise to the occasion and turn the tables on a team that has dominated nearly every opponent it has faced? Suffering two unexpected upset loses, the time is now for Shawn Skinner's Spartans to break a few hearts.


St. Joseph-Ogden Spartans IHSA 2025 playoffs, Wyatt Wertz SJO Spartans football highlights, IHSA Class 3A South bracket, Illini Prairie Conference teams in IHSA playoffs
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Week 9 IHSA football scores from around the state

Brennan Oleynichak stops Jayden Reed in his tracks in their football game
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

URBANA - St. Joseph-Ogden's Brennan Oleynichak and three teammates stop Pontiac running back Jayden Reed from advancing during the first quarter of their Illini Prairie Conference game. The Spartans scored 14 points in each quarter on their way to a much needed victory to solidify a spot in the 2025 IHSA football postseason. SJO won the home game at Dick Duval Field 56-21.

Illini Prairie Conference scores

Unity 55, Mt Vernon 37
St Joseph-Ogden 56, Pontiac 21
Central Catholic 41, Prairie Central 0
Illinois Valley Central 30, Rantoul 27
Monticello 14, Paxton-Buckley-Loda 6

Big Twelve Conference scores

Normal West 57, Urbana 15
Bloomington 37, Centennial 6
Champaign Central 55, Peoria Manual 16
Peoria Notre Dame 54, Danville 13
Peoria 36, Normal Community 14
Mahomet-Seymour 63, Richwoods 14

Scores from around the state

AddisonTrail 35, Willowbrook 0
Alden-Hebron 26, Ashton-Franklin Center 8
Arthur 49, Villa Grove/Heritage 26
Athens 55, Riverton 13
Aurora Waubonsie Valley 49, DeKalb 28
Aurora West Aurora 52, Streamwood 8
Bartlett 48, Elgin 0
Batavia 45, Wheaton Warrenville South 12
Benton 42, Harrisburg 7
Bishop McNamara 56, St Edward 0
Bolingbrook 26, Yorkville 21
Bradley-Bourbonnais 53, Andrew 41
Byron 38, North Boone 26
Byron Center, Mich. 38, Morris 26
Canton 50, Bartonville Limestone 28
Carmel 38, Fenwick 24
Carterville 55, Anna-Jonesboro 7
Cary-Grove 44, Algonquin Jacobs 29
Central 42, Dundee-Crown 6
Central 49, Salt Fork 30
Central Catholic 41, Prairie Central 0
Centralia 21, Effingham 16
Chester 29, Nashville 19
Christopher 50, Albion Edwards County 25
Crete-Monee 27, Kankakee 14
DePaul 35, Benet 6
Deer Creek-Mackinaw 50, Kelly, Mo. 13
Dixon 58, Genoa-Kingston 20
Downers Grove North 47, Proviso East 0
Du Quoin 47, Murphysboro 20
Dunlap 30, Metamora 23, OT
Dwight 41, Oregon 8
El Paso-Gridley 37, Shelbyville 6
Eldorado 42, Carmi-White County 30
Fairfield 44, Hamilton County 25
Flanagan-Cornell 64, Bushnell-Prairie City 20
Flora 29, Red Hill 6
Galena 26, Fulton 7
Galva 55, West Prairie 22
Geneseo 45, Quincy 7
Geneva 45, St Charles East 20
Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley 55, Lexington 27
Glenbard East 45, Riverside-Brookfield 43
Glenbard North 39, Wheaton North 20
Glenbard South 35, Larkin 7
Glenbrook South 45, New Trier 0
Glenwood 38, Springfield 28
Grayslake Central 41, Round Lake 7
Herscher 35, Peotone 28
Highland Park 49, Maine East 0
Hinsdale Central 35, OPRF 15
Homewood-Flossmoor 50, Aurora (Metea Valley) 8
Illini West 34, Elmwood 24
Johnston City 36, Sesser-Valier 18
Joliet Catholic 30, Providence 27
Knoxville 55, Stark County 14
Lake Zurich 49, Stevenson 9
Lanark Eastland-Pearl City 53, Dakota 22
Lena-Winslow 40, Durand-Pecatonica 20
Leyden 21, Hinsdale South 19
Lincoln Way Central 49, Rich Township 0
Lincoln Way West 49, Stagg 0
Lockport 41, Neuqua Valley 17
Lyons 34, York 26
Macomb def. LCSRV, forfeit
Mahomet-Seymour 63, Richwoods 14
Manteno 33, Streator 6
Marion 49, Mattoon 21
Marist 42, Notre Dame 14
Maroa-Forsyth 44, New Berlin 34
Marshall 32, Newton 15
Minooka 15, Oswego East 14
Moline 63, Galesburg 6
Momence 29, Georgetown-Ridge Farm 20
Monmouth-Roseville 40, Newman 7
Montini Catholic 23, St. Laurence 0
Mt Carmel 35, Loyola 24
Mt Prospect 56, Elk Grove 28
Mt. Carmel 42, Lawrenceville 15
Naperville North 21, Naperville Central 15
Nazareth 42, St. Francis 16
Niles West 20, Maine West 14
Nokomis 63, Arcola 21
Normal West 57, Urbana 15
Oakwood 21, BHRA 13
Olney 43, Robinson 21
Oswego 37, Plainfield North 7
Ottawa Marquette 66, Morrison 23
Palatine 35, Hoffman Estates Conant 7
Paris 22, Casey-Westfield 17
Plainfield East 53, Plainfield Central 7
Prairie Ridge 54, Crystal Lake South 26
Princeville 47, United 8
Quincy Notre Dame 49, MacArthur 7
Reavis 42, Oak Lawn 0
Richards 51, Evergreen Park 0
River Ridge 46, Christian Life 8
Rochelle 27, Waterloo 6
Rochester 31, Sacred Heart-Griffin 28
Rockridge 48, Hall 21
Salem 32, Charleston 23
Sangamon Valley 34, Tri-County 0
Seneca 48, Carlyle 13
Southeast 26, Eisenhower 18
St Anne 61, Blue Ridge 12
St Charles North 35, Lake Park 16
St Joseph-Ogden 56, Pontiac 21
St Rita 38, ICCP 21
Sterling 42, Rock Island 14
Stockton 44, Forreston 6
Sullivan 34, Argenta-Oreana 27
Tremont 40, Clinton 0
Tuscola 38, Le Roy 28
Unity 55, Mt Vernon 37
Warren 49, Libertyville 21
Warrensburg-Latham 22, Fieldcrest 14
Washington 49, Morton 21
Wauconda 31, Lakes 14
West Carroll 43, Kirkland Hiawatha 26
West Chicago 44, Bensenville (Fenton) 34
Westville 52, Iroquois West 13
Wheaton Academy 42, Christ the King 0
Wilmington 44, Coal City 21
Pana 43, Carlinville 26
Greenville 42, Staunton 7
Hillsboro 56, Southwestern 20
North Mac 32, Gillespie 12
Vandalia 49, Litchfield 14
Calhoun 21, Brown County 12
Carrollton 35, Concord Triopia 12
Greenfield 47, Mendon Unity 44
Camp Point Central 70, North Greene 8 (Thursday)
Pleasant Hill 22, Jacksonville Routt 14
West Central 46, Beardstown 13
Highland 34, Alton 24
St. Louis De Smet 30, Edwardsville 15
Taylorville 24, Civic Memorial 17
Jersey 49, Columbia 21
Roxana 41, Marquette Catholic 7
Dupo 69, East Alton-Wood River 24
Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy 14, East St. Louis 13 (OT)
O’Fallon 34, LaSalle-Peru 0
Belleville East 27, Jefferson City (Mo.) Capital City 10
Belleville West 21, St. Louis Vianney 19
Collinsville 16, Triad 7
Rochelle 27 Waterloo 6
Mascoutah 47, Carbondale 28
Maple Park Kaneland 55, Belleville Althoff 28
Breese Central 55, Herrin 6
Ottawa 52, Granite City 0
Sycamore 30, Cahokia 28
Wesclin 70, Madison 32
Mount Zion 52, Breese Mater Dei 14


TAGS: Roxana crushes Marquette by 34 points, Illinois high school football scores in October, Week 9 IHSA football results, Camp Point Central runs up 70 points on North Greene, Central Catholic wins IPC with perfect record
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SJO wins 'Senior Night' game with 56-21 win over Pontiac

SJO's Wyatt Wertz runs the ball for a huge gain
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

ST. JOSEPH - Spartan running back Wyatt Wertz gets a solid block from teammate Willis Canamore during first half action against visiting Pontiac (2-7). Despite a couple of scares, St. Joseph-Ogden (5-4) two TDs in each quarter on the way to defeating the Indians 56-21. Wertz finished the night with 180 yards rushing and 13 more from two pass receptions. SJO must now wait to see if they made the playoff cut and who will be their first-round opponent.

St. Joe-Ogden Athletics
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Spartan Senior Salute |
12 and out with Coy Hayes

SJO linebacker Coy Hayes watches the ball at the snap
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Coy Hayes said the best advice he's received from a coach was, "After wrestling, everything is easy." As one of the seniors leading St. Joseph-Ogden through a tough 2025 conference schedule, Hayes embodies the spirit of tenacity, grit and determination.

Leading the team through hard work, dedication, and tradition that comes with being a proud Spartan, he is an intimidating figure on the field. We asked him and his fellow seniors a dozen questions to get to know them better. Here's what he told us:


Sentinel: What is your favorite class at St. Joseph-Ogden High School?

Hayes: Co-op


Sentinel: What is your go-to pregame meal?

Hayes: Subway sandwich


Sentinel: What is your dream car?

Hayes: Bugatti


Sentinel: Name theree people you would invite to dinner if you won the lottery?

Hayes: My grandpa, grandma, and mom


Sentinel: What is the best coaching advice you ever had?

Hayes: "After wrestling, everything is easy."


Sentinel: Name an Instagram handle everyone should follow.

Hayes: Idk


Sentinel: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you booking a flight?

Hayes: Jamaica


Sentinel: What is your hype-song?

Hayes: Cricket on a line - Mud Digger, Colt Ford, The Lacs


Sentinel: If you were a superhero, what would your alias be and your two main super powers?

Hayes: Blues Clues. I would be able to fly and shoot money out of my hands.


Sentinel: Favorite place to eat with you friends?

Hayes: Culver’s


Sentinel: If you could become a professional athlete, what sport would you be playing?

Hayes: Synchronized swimming


Sentinel: What other sports have you played at St. Joseph-Ogden and for how long?

Hayes: Wrestling four years and football four years.



St. Joe-Ogden Athletics
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Spartan Senior Salute |
12 and out with Wyatt Wertz

Wyatt Wertz scores a touchdown, returning in his first game after an injury
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Few players run harder — or think faster — than Spartan Wyatt Wertz. At a solid 5'11", 180 pounds, the senior back has combined quick reads with relentless determination after returning back to action from an injury suffered earlier in the season. Despite scoring three touchdowns in road losses for the Spartans against Central Catholic and Seneca, Wertz is back to help SJO take a deep stab into the postseason. Averaging 8.7 yards/carry in those two games, upcoming opponents will St. Joseph-Ogden hard to defeat.

As St. Joseph-Ogden heads into Friday’s regular-season finale, here's a few tidbits about Wyatt that he shared earlier this week.


Sentinel: What is your favorite class at St. Joseph-Ogden High School?

Wertz: Forensic Science


Sentinel: What is your go-to pregame meal?

Wertz: Chicken and rice


Sentinel: What is your dream car?

Wertz: Porsche 911 gt3 rs


Sentinel: Name theree people you would invite to dinner if you won the lottery?

Wertz: I wouldn’t tell anyone, so no one


Sentinel: What is the best coaching advice you ever had?

Wertz: Don’t think, just do


Sentinel: Name an Instagram handle everyone should follow.

Wertz: brycecrawford


Sentinel: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you booking a flight?

Wertz: Japan


Sentinel: What is your hype-song?

Wertz: I listen to rain noises


Sentinel: If you were a superhero, what would your alias be and your two main super powers?

Wertz: I would be called The Dude and I would have super speed and time travel


Sentinel: Favorite place to eat with you friends?

Wertz: Cookout in backyard


Sentinel: If you could become a professional athlete, what sport would you be playing?

Wertz: UFC


Sentinel: What other sports have you played at St. Joseph-Ogden and for how long?

Wertz: Track, past 3 years



St. Joe-Ogden Athletics
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Friday Night Forecast |
Week 9 Illini Prairie Conference football predictions

Here are Week 9 predictions from Illini Prairie football pundits for this edition of The Sentinel’s Friday Night Forecast.


Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

ST. JOSEPH - Lucas Smith boots the ball on kickoff for the Spartans. Smith and 15 other seniors will be honored tonight before the start of the Spartans' home game against Pontiac.


Week 9 predictions

Illini Prairie Game of the Week
Rantoul vs Illinois Valley Central

Sara C: Illinois Valley Central .::. 36-12
Alan: Illinois Valley Central .::. 45-20
Denise: Illinois Valley Central .::. 21-0
Denise J: Illinois Valley Central .::. 21-14
J: Illinois Valley Central .::. 18-6
Mike Roy: Illinois Valley Central .::. 24-7
C: Illinois Valley Central .::. 32-0
Brooks Look: Rantoul .::. 21-14

Monticello vs Paxton-Buckley-Loda

Sara C: Paxton-Buckley-Loda .::. 32-27
Alan: Monticello .::. 35-14
Denise: Monticello .::. 28-7
Denise J: Monticello .::. 36-14
J: Monticello .::. 24-22
Mike Roy: Monticello .::. 27-7
C: Paxton-Buckley-Loda .::. 21-18
Brooks Look: Monticello .::. 28-21

Central Catholic vs Prairie Central

Sara C: Central Catholic .::. 48-27
Alan: Central Catholic .::. 42-17
Denise: Central Catholic .::. 42-14
Denise J: Central Catholic .::. 67-24
J: Central Catholic .::. 42-7
Mike Roy: Central Catholic .::. 55-7
C: Central Catholic .::. 67-14
Brooks Look: Central Catholic .::. 56-7

St. Joseph-Ogden vs Pontiac

Sara C: St. Joseph-Ogden .::. 48-21
Alan: St. Joseph-Ogden .::. 52-10
Denise: St. Joseph-Ogden .::. 56-7
Denise J: St. Joseph-Ogden .::. 42-27
J: St. Joseph-Ogden .::. 42-26
Mike Roy: St. Joseph-Ogden .::. 35-6
C: St. Joseph-Ogden .::. 32-21
Brooks Look: St. Joseph-Ogden .::. 42-16

Unity @ Mt. Vernon

Sara C: Unity .::. 30-27
Alan: Unity .::. 49-28
Denise: Mt. Vernon .::. 28-21
Denise J: Unity .::. 48-12
J: Unity .::. 34-7
Mike Roy: Unity .::. 46-14
C: Unity .::. 32-0
Brooks Look: Unity .::. 36-28

Last week's Illini Prairie Conference scores

Seneca 39, St. Joseph-Ogden 36
Unity 48, Illinois Valley Central 14
Paxton-Buckley-Loda 46, Rantoul 0
Central Catholic 48, Pontiac 21
Monticello 18, Prairie Central 14

Week 8 Results

Rank Name Record Notes
1 Mike Roy 5-0 Week 8 winner!!!
2 J 4-1 5-way tie
2 Denise 4-1 5-way tie
2 Alan 4-1 5-way tie
2 Sara 4-1 5-way tie
2 Brooks Look 4-1 5-way tie

Cumulative Standings (After Week 8)

Rank Name Total Record Wins Notes
1 Brooks Look 33-7 2 Week 2 & 5 winner
2 Denise 30-10 0
2 Alan 30-10 1 Week 7 winner
4 Sara 26-9 1 Week 3 winner
5 J 25-5 2 Week 1 & 4 winner
6 Lyman 10-5 0
7 Mike Roy 10-0 2 Week 6 & 8 Winner
8 Frank 7-3 0
9 Denise J 5-0 0 New participant this week
10 Keith 3-2 0


TAGS: Illini Prairie Conference weekly football predictions, Week 9 SJO football predictions, Prairie Central Hawks football predictions this week, IHSA football prediction for the IPC

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Spartan Senior Salute |
12 and out with Landon Smith

St. Joseph-Ogden lineman Landon Smith makes a tackle
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

For Landon Smith, physical play in the trenches define what football is all about — toughness, teamwork, and trust. The senior lineman has anchored SJO’s front with in his third year of varsity football, collecting 15 tackles so far across six games. Before the Spartans close out their regular season, #67 shares the best coach advice he's received over the years and more.


Sentinel: What is your favorite class at St. Joseph-Ogden High School?

Smith: History of American Rock


Sentinel: What is your go-to pregame meal?

Smith: An energy drink


Sentinel: What is your dream car?

Smith: SRT Hellcat


Sentinel: Name theree people you would invite to dinner if you won the lottery?

Smith: Cam Skattebo, Jay Cutler, Brian Dawkins


Sentinel: What is the best coaching advice you ever had?

Smith: “Don’t be a jag” - Coach Sweeney


Sentinel: Name an Instagram handle everyone should follow.

Smith: @nflhatememes


Sentinel: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you booking a flight?

Smith: Greece


Sentinel: What is your hype-song?

Smith: Walkin by Denzel Curry


Sentinel: If you were a superhero, what would your alias be and your two main super powers?

Smith: Landon Smith - invisibility and time freezing


Sentinel: Favorite place to eat with you friends?

Smith: Chipotle


Sentinel: If you could become a professional athlete, what sport would you be playing?

Smith: Football (as a kicker)


Sentinel: What other sports have you played at St. Joseph-Ogden and for how long?

Smith: Track freshmen Year



St. Joe-Ogden Athletics
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Spartan Senior Salute |
12 and out with Hunter Van Meenen

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

With one regular-season game left, Hunter Van Meenan is still locked in. Having seen action in five contests this season, his ability to make plays when his number is called is consistent and dependable. The senior rusher has recorded ten tackles, an interception, and one sack. In his Spartan Senior Salute: 12 and Out, learn a little more about Hunter and his favorite class at St. Joseph-Ogden High School.


Sentinel: What is your favorite class at St. Joseph-Ogden High School?

Van Meenen: Strength Training


Sentinel: What is your go-to pregame meal?

Van Meenen: A sandwich.


Sentinel: What is your dream car?

Van Meenen: Porsche 911 GT3RS


Sentinel: Name theree people you would invite to dinner if you won the lottery?

Van Meenen: Drake, Faze Adapt, and Lil Uzi Vert


Sentinel: What is the best coaching advice you ever had?

Van Meenen: "Don’t blink"


Sentinel: Name an Instagram handle everyone should follow.

Van Meenen: @hunter.vanmeenen.34


Sentinel: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you booking a flight?

Van Meenen: Japan


Sentinel: What is your hype-song?

Van Meenen: Survival by Drake


Sentinel: If you were a superhero, what would be your alias?

Van Meenen: Batman


Sentinel: Favorite place to eat with you friends?

Van Meenen: Chipotle


Sentinel: If you could become a professional athlete, what sport would you be playing?

Van Meenen: Hockey


Sentinel: What other sports have you played at St. Joseph-Ogden and for how long?

Van Meenen: Baseball my freshman and sophomore year.


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Spartan Senior Salute |
12 and out with Logan Rosenthal

SJO linebacker Logan Rosenthal playing against BCC
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Strong, smart and dependable - that’s how you would have to describe senior linebacker Logan Rosenthal. Whether he’s plugging a hole or trying to rip the ball, the senior brings relentless effort and leadership to every down. As St. Joseph-Ogden prepares for its final regular-season game, we asked about a few of his favorite things for his Spartan Senior Salute.


Sentinel: What is your favorite class at St. Joseph-Ogden High School?

Rosenthal: Strength


Sentinel: What is your go-to pregame meal?

Rosenthal: Uncrustables / PB & J


Sentinel: What is your dream car?

Rosenthal: 2018 Camaro ZL1


Sentinel: Name theree people you would invite to dinner if you won the lottery?

Rosenthal: Johnny Manziel, Kevin Hart, and Tim Tebow


Sentinel: What is the best coaching advice you ever had?

Rosenthal: "If you’re only here for yourself and not the name on the front of the jersey, then you shouldn’t be here at all."


Sentinel: Name an Instagram handle everyone should follow.

Rosenthal: @lrosenthal_1701


Sentinel: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you booking a flight?

Rosenthal: Jamaica


Sentinel: What is your hype-song?

Rosenthal: No Role Modelz - J Cole


Sentinel: If you were a superhero, what would be your two main super powers?

Rosenthal: Able to fly and strength


Sentinel: Favorite place to eat with you friends?

Rosenthal: Buffalo Wild Wings


Sentinel: If you could become a professional athlete, what sport would you be playing?

Rosenthal: Baseball


Sentinel: What other sports have you played at St. Joseph-Ogden and for how long?

Rosenthal: Baseball since freshman year.



St. Joe-Ogden Athletics
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Spartan Senior Salute |
12 and out with Ryker Lockhart

Riker Lockhart
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

As one of the seniors leading St. Joseph-Ogden through another hard-fought season, Riker Lockhart embodies the spirit of dedication, teamwork and tradition.

Fierce and tenacious, Lockhart delivered four solo and was in on six more tackles in a career night against Seneca. On offense, his best night at receiver came against Bloomington Central Catholic, making seven catches for 106 yards.

In his Spartan Senior Salute: 12 and Out, he shared with us some of his favorite things, his dream car and more.


Sentinel: What is your favorite class at St. Joseph-Ogden High School?

Lockhart: Math with Coach Duval


Sentinel: What is your go-to pregame meal?

Lockhart: String cheese with trail mix


Sentinel: What is your dream car?

Lockhart: Matte black Ferrari LaFerrari


Sentinel: Name theree people you would invite to dinner if you won the lottery?

Lockhart: Bryce Crawford, Baylen Levine, Sharife Cooper


Sentinel: What is the best coaching advice you ever had?

Lockhart: “You’re a beast, so play like one.” - Tucker Barron


Sentinel: Name an Instagram handle everyone should follow.

Lockhart: @ryker_lockhart.13


Sentinel: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you booking a flight?

Lockhart: Jamaica


Sentinel: What is your hype-song?

Lockhart: 3 Headed Goat by Lil Durk, Polo G, and Lil Baby


Sentinel: If you were a superhero, what would your alias be and your two main super powers?

Lockhart: Shadow Blaze. Teleportation and Invisibility.


Sentinel: Favorite place to eat with you friends?

Lockhart: Raising Cane’s


Sentinel: If you could become a professional athlete, what sport would you be playing?

Lockhart: Basketball "


Sentinel: What other sports have you played at St. Joseph-Ogden and for how long?

Lockhart: Soccer - 1 year Basketball - 3 years "



St. Joe-Ogden Athletics
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