Slideshow | Spartan football season ends in playoffs

Coy Taylor (right) and Aidan Moberg (left)
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks
Coy Taylor (right) and Aidan Moberg (left) share a solemn hug after their St. Joseph-Ogden football team were eliminated from the 2022 IHSA playoffs by Olympia on Saturday, November 5. After winning the last three contests during the regular season and their first round playoff game against Robinson, SJO finished the season with a 7-4 record.

Here is our slideshow of 51 photos from the final Spartan football game of the season.

See a photo you would like to order? Click here now.

Slideshow | SJO advances to IHSA football playoff second round

Ty Pence celebrates SJO TD
Ty Pence celebrates after scoring on a 22-yard pass from Logan Smith to give St.Joseph-Ogden a 49-27 lead in the fourth quarter. The team's marquee receiver, Pence finished the game with 13 catches for 314 yards and two touchdowns. The senior also nabbed a interception on the second half to help the Spartans win their first first-round playoff game under head coach Shawn Skinner.
PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

ST. JOSEPH -- With a plethora of offensive weapons at their disposal, the SJO football team (7-3) lit their side of the scoreboard at Dick Duval Field to its highest total this season en route to a 55-39 romp over visiting Robinson (6-4). The first-round IHSA playoff victory marked the first playoff win since St. Joseph-Ogden head coach Shawn Skinner took over the program seven seasons ago.

"I would be lying if I didn't say it was time for us to get a playoff win under my regime," Skinner said after the game. "I am so proud of these seniors because they made it a point not to be 5-4. They made it a point to get a home playoff game. They made it a point to win a playoff game."

In his 10th start behind the center, junior Logan Smith completed 17 of 30 passes for 383 yards and threw three touchdowns. He scored twice on two of his seven carries and finished with 35 yards rushing.

Sophomore Coy Taylor made three catches for 60 yards and with one ending as an SJO touchdown. Justice Wertz, another weapon in the Spartan quiver, ran for 165 yards with his 21 touches. In addition to his solo TD this week, Alex Funk and Tyler Burch also contributed to the team's high-scoring finish with one touchdown a piece.

"I've said this all year, yes, we can run routes. Yes, we can throw the ball. Not enough credit is given that we don't drop the ball that often."



See a photo you would like to buy? Click here to order.

Photo Gallery | Urbana wins regional volleyball match over Danville

Kenzie Sprague (left) and Sammi Christman
Urbana's Kenzie Sprague (left) and Sammi Christman encourage Tiger spectators to cheer for their team during a lull between points in their Class 3A regional quarterfinal game against Danville on October 24, 2022. The Tigers defeated the Vikings after three sets, 25-18, 17-25, 25-16. See slideshow below for more photos. (Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)
Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

RANTOUL -- The Tigers have won their first-round match in their last five postseason appearances. Monday's opening playoff match was no different when the Urbana volleyball team eliminated the Danville Vikings from the Illinois High School Association's state championship series, 2-1.

In their earlier meeting in the season during their Big 12 Conference contest, the Vikings cruised past the Urbana, 2-0. Their second clash of the season was a different affair.

Urbana took the first set 25-18 after riding a momentum shift that started with a response to a 4-1 deficit on the scoreboard. Scraping their way to a 5-all tie, the Tigers grabbed the reigns and never let the Vikings any closer on the scoreboard than a couple of points.

Set #2 action was evenly-matched between the two rival teams until Danville reeled off six unanswered points to go up 19-13. Urbana added three points to their score before the Vikings closed out the set with a five-point run finishing 25-17.

When the action resumed at Rantoul Township High School, host for the Class 3A regional, Urbana jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the third set. Energized by their fans, The Tigers never let their opponent within two on the scoreboard advancing to Wednesday's semifinal, 25-16.

Here is a look at the action on Monday.


See a photo you would like to buy? Click here to order.

Slideshow | St. Joseph-Ogden wins homecoming game, 42-12


See a photo you would like to buy? Click here to order.



Recent study suggests childhood trauma could haunt Illinois adults for life
New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed 75% of U.S. high school students said they have had at least one adverse childhood experience, or ACE.

Research has shown ACEs can alter a child's brain chemistry and produce a prolonged toxic stress response. Experiencing at least one ACE as a child is linked to having alcohol and substance use problems in adulthood, and chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity.


Stress-free Thanksgiving tips for those short on time this holiday season

While gathering for Thanksgiving is intended to be a joyous occasion, everyone who has hosted the feast knows it can also come with a lot of stress, and expenses.

The good news is that whether you’re a Gen Z-er hosting your first Friendsgiving on a budget or you’re a busy family preparing for guests, there is a lot to be thankful for this year.


Op-Ed |
Tipped wage system isn't working, removing taxes won't save it
Both major presidential candidates have called for eliminating taxes on tips. But that won’t help most restaurant workers.

What will? Replacing the subminimum wages that tipped workers make with one fair wage nationwide.

The federal minimum wage for most workers is just $7.25. But for workers who get tips, employers are allowed to pay them $2.13 an hour. If tips don’t raise your hourly pay to at least the ...
Health & Wellness |
Is it depression, ADHD or bipolar disorder?
Lavender Zarraga, APRN, a behavioral health provider at OSF HealthCare, says it’s not uncommon for her patients to ask for a medication that isn’t the right fit.

The culprit? She says symptoms of common mental health issues like depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and bipolar disorder can overlap. So, it’s important to stay in contact with your provider to make ...

Still running out front: Unity collects sectional title, SJO qualifies for XC state


MATTOON - The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Class 1A Sectional Cross Country Meet at Lake Land College in Mattoon saw area powerhouse Unity advance to the state meet for the fourth consecutive year, finishing in first place with a score of 79 points. This year’s event, held on Saturday, November 2, took place under cloudy skies and cool conditions, with crip temperatures in the upper-50s at race time.