St Joseph-Ogden unbeaten run ends in playoff loss to Unity

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Cameron Wagner and Tanner Siems hug after SJO's 35-7 second-round playoff loss to Unity. The Spartans' magical season featuring an impressive 10-win streak and conference title ended on Saturday.

TOLONO - St. Joseph-Ogden's impressive 10-game winning streak came to an abrupt halt on Saturday as they fell 35-7 to Unity in the Class 3A second-round football playoffs.

The Spartans, who demonstrated their confidence and enthusiasm all season long, appeared uncharacteristically flat even before the opening kickoff. Unity immediately capitalized on SJO's lackluster performance, landing four solid punches, scoring twice in each of the first two quarters to take a commanding 28-7 lead at halftime.

The game showcased Unity’s improved physicality and discipline on both sides of the ball, contrasting with the regular-season matchup when St. Joseph-Ogden narrowly edged Unity 24-21. Unity head coach Scott Hamilton attributed the win to the rigorous schedule his team faced with teams like Althoff Catholic, saying the experience prepared them for postseason intensity.

"I think defensive we are tackling a lot better. Offensively, I think our edge, parameter stuff, and blocking has got a lot better," Hamilton said.

SJO's sideline, usually full of energy and vocal support, appeared subdued, a rare sight for a team that dominated its competition all season. The Spartans came out uncharacteristically flat, similar to their brief third-quarter lapse in their season opener against Monticello, though that lapse didn’t cost them a win. However, this time, Unity capitalized on SJO's lack of momentum and decisively took control of the game to avenge the earlier loss.

Garrett Richardson led the Unity offense with 215 rushing yards on 42 carries, including a touchdown. Tre Hoggard was a force in the passing game, catching four touchdowns for 124 yards.

Spartan defense wraps up Garrett Richardson

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Unity's Garrett Richardson is stopped in his tracks by St. Joseph-Ogden linemen Jackson Ennis, Ryker Lockhart, and Jared Altenbaumer.

In his postgame assessment, Spartan head coach Shawn Skinner stated that his team performed "uncharacteristically" in the first half, leaving them in a hole they could not escape.

"There were so many things that didn't happen in this game that we've done all year," Skinner said after giving his team their last postgame talk on the gridiron. "We didn't convert in the red zone. We dropped interceptions that hit us on the hands. The field position game was in their favor for most of the first half. We haven't done that all year. We controlled the field position game."

St. Joseph-Ogden's normally explosive offense was stifled by Unity's defense. Wyatt Wertz, Tanner Siems, and Coy Taylor, who have combined for 34 touchdowns this season, were held in check. Siems finished with 77 receiving yards, while Taylor, who became the state's all-time leading receiver during the game, had 34 yards.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Tracking the ball carried by Unity Garrett Richardson, Spartan sophomore Cameron Wagner plays on defense in his team's last game of the season.

"We couldn't really establish a run or pass the whole game. Throwing into the wind was a little difficult," Taylor added. "They had a good defensive plan for us. You can definitely tell that they put in a lot of work."

Unity's physicality and determination were evident throughout the game. They tallied 61 tackles, including 36 solos, and held SJO to just 59 rushing yards.

"We talked about running the ball, being physical, and that's what it takes this time of the year," said Unity head coach Scott Hamilton, happy to have his program advance to the quarterfinals.

Despite the disappointing loss, St. Joseph-Ogden head coach Shawn Skinner praised his team's effort.

"This game does not define this season," said Skinner. "We won ten games in a row. That's hard to do."

Unity will host Nashville in the quarterfinals on Saturday, while St. Joseph-Ogden's season ends with a 10-1 record.

KEYWORDS: St. Joseph-Ogden football, Unity Football, Class 3A playoffs, Garrett Ricardson, Tre Hoggard, Coy Taylor

Unity shocks St. Joseph-Ogden with dominant defense, advances to quarterfinal round

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Quarterback Dane Eisenmenger rolls out behind a solid wall of Unity blockers during their second-round playoff game against St. Joseph-Ogden. Eisenmenger, who was 9-for-14 passing, threw four TD passes to advance the Rockets past the Spartans.

TOLONO - In a second-round playoff matchup Saturday that saw both defensive grit and offensive fireworks, the Unity Rockets (8-3) defeated the previously unbeaten St. Joseph-Ogden Spartans (10-1) with a commanding 35-7 score. Unity’s defense held the Spartans, who averaged five touchdowns per game during their undefeated regular season, to their lowest scoring output since 2022, shutting down a high-powered, dominant offense that many thought would be difficult to contain.

Unity’s ground attack was fueled by Garrett Richardson, who powered through the Spartans’ defensive line for 215 yards on 42 carries. Richardson's relentless rushes brought his season total to 1,635 yards. He found the end zone once in the first half, adding to his total of 103 yards at the break. Matching his impressive ground performance was Tre Hoggard, who provided a receiving spectacle with three first-half touchdown catches. He finished the game with 124 yards and a fourth touchdown that brought Unity’s lead to a decisive 35-7 with just over eight minutes left in the game.

Quarterback Dane Eisenmenger also turned in a strong showing, completing 9 of 14 passes for 152 yards and connecting repeatedly with Hoggard to keep Unity’s offense pushing forward. Eisenmenger’s accuracy and strategic playmaking helped Unity establish a 28-7 lead by halftime putting SJO's back on the ropes.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Rockets' Garrett Richardson looks for running room around St. Joseph-Ogden's Tanner Siems. Despite not finding his way into the end zone, the senior running back ate up 215 yards of turf on SJO.

The true spotlight, however, belonged to the Rockets' defense. With 61 tackles, 36 of which were solo efforts, Unity suffocated the Spartans’ potent offense, led by the prolific SJO quarterback Kodey McKinney. St. Joseph-Ogden, a team known for its effective running game, was limited to just 59 rushing yards, rendering their offense one-dimensional and struggling to keep pace.

Unity’s defensive unit, anchored by disciplined tackling and an aggressive pass rush, applied constant pressure, forcing quick decisions from McKinney and keeping SJO’s star receivers, Tanner Siems and Coy Taylor, in check.

The Spartans' only score of the game came in the first quarter when McKinney powered through for a 7-yard rushing touchdown with 3:45 left. Siems, SJO's version of San Francisco 49ers great Jerry Rice, finished with four catches for 77 yards. Meanwhile, Taylor, who now holds Illinois’ all-time career receptions record with 259, managed seven catches but was limited to 34 yards in Unity’s tightly controlled defensive scheme.

Unity head coach Scott Hamilton credited his team’s win to their experience and resilience, honed through a demanding schedule.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Big pushes by the Unity front line enabled ball carriers to pick up first downs almost at will against St. Joseph-Ogden. Rockets' Jaden Dene and Spartans' Carson Sarnecki mix it up nose-to-nose in the trench.

"You play guys like Belleville Althoff, you learn to get better and stick to the process," he said while players and fans celebrated near the east end zone. "We talked about running the ball, being physical and that's what it takes this time of the year."

After a narrow 24-21 regular-season loss to St. Joseph-Ogden, Unity made noticeable improvements, especially in tackling and defensive discipline, which Hamilton attributed to focused preparation.

"I think defensive we are tackling a lot better. Offensively, I think our edge, parameter stuff, and blocking has got a lot better."

Hamilton also credited the big plays by special teams. The Rockets recorded three sacks and consistently enjoyed solid field position that kept the game’s momentum in their favor.

"It was all three phases. It was a huge special teams win."

The win not only solidifies Unity’s postseason run but also continues an impressive record against St. Joseph-Ogden in playoff meetings. In eight postseason encounters, Unity has emerged victorious seven times, with the Spartans’ lone win occurring in the 2006-07 season. Hamilton, who has led Unity’s program for 31 seasons and holds a remarkable 290-73 record, may have another opportunity to chase the state championship title that has eluded him thus far, with six runner-up finishes across his storied career.

St. Joseph-Ogden head coach Shawn Skinner acknowledged that his team’s execution faltered in the face of Unity’s balanced attack.

While the loss marks the end of SJO’s season at 10-1, the Rockets will face the Nashville Hornets (10-1) in the quarterfinals at Hicks Field on Saturday. Nashville advanced after a decisive 41-21 win over Greenville and brings its explosive offense to Tolono looking to step over Unity for a spot in the Class 3A semifinals.

As the Rockets gear up for another round, Hamilton remains focused on Unity’s disciplined approach and urging his team to deliver the same intensity and physicality demonstrated against the Spartans.

"Playmakers have got to make plays and we had some guys do it today," said Hamilton, who will be looking for more of the same this Saturday.

KEYWORDS: Unity Rockets football, SJO football, high school football playoffs, IHSA football, Scott Hamilton

Rockets roll on in football playoffs, SJO's season ended

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

TOLONO - Unity fans erupted in excitement after receiver Tre Hoggard scored a touchdown against the visiting Spartans from St. Joseph-Ogden. The Rockets avenged their regular season loss of 24-21 to SJO in Week 3. With this victory, Unity (8-3) advanced to the Class 3A quarterfinals by upsetting the state-ranked Spartans, winning 35-7. With their season extended for another week, the Rockets will host the Nashville Hornets at Hicks Field this Saturday at 2 PM. More photos coming later this week.

Don't get snowed by holiday scams

BRANDPOINT MEDIA - Scams are unfortunately a fact of life these days. If it's not identity or data theft, it's credit breaches and scam phone calls. Many of us are getting scam texts, too. As the holidays roll in, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) wants you to know we are on the job, working to protect you and your mail and packages.

USPIS's new holiday campaign, Don't Get Snowed by Holiday Scams, alerts consumers about crimes that are on the rise this holiday season: counterfeit postage, phishing/smishing, mail and package theft, and letter carrier robberies. It's all about making sure your holiday season is merry, bright, and safe.

Photo provided

Counterfeit postage

Now is a great time to stock up on stamps so you have them on hand to mail your holiday cards and packages. Looking for Forever Stamps online? You may find some deceptively good deals out there. And that's the key word: Deceptive. Counterfeit stamps are appearing more and more. If you see stamps at 20% to 50% off their face value, it's a scam. Fraudsters target consumers online on social media platforms, third-party ecommerce sites, and pop-up ads. These fake, discounted stamps come in a variety of designs that are meant to mimic real postage.

Protect yourself

Buy your stamps at the post office or from approved postal providers, which include legitimate "big box" retailers.
Report the sellers of counterfeit stamps at uspis.gov/report.

Phishing/smishing

What's that? You may have received a text or email about a package delivery gone wrong or unpaid online postage charges. The subject line or headline usually is "Delivery Failure Notification" or something similar. These messages appear to be from the USPS or another government entity, but they're not. They will likely contain a URL for you to click. If you do, it can activate a virus or lure you into providing personal financial information. If you get a text or email that uses poor grammar, has spelling errors, or asks you for payment or personal information of any kind, it is a scam. Protect yourself

Don't click on any links.
Block the sender.
Delete the text or email immediately. If you choose to report it, send USPS-related phishing emails to spam@uspis.gov. You can also send USPS-related smishing texts to 7726. All other phishing/smishing attempts should be reported to the FTC or your local consumer affairs group(s).

Mail and package safety

Thieves are always lurking, getting ready for the busy holiday season, just like you! Your packages may arrive on time but may not truly reach their destination if they're plucked from the porch before you or your loved ones can get them inside. USPIS takes these cases of package theft very seriously and makes thousands of arrests each year. Thieves commonly cruise neighborhoods at times when people are at work, but they can strike anytime.

Protect yourself

Don't leave letters and packages in your mailbox or at your door for any length of time. Use USPS Hold Mail service, a delivery locker, or ask a trusted neighbor to grab your package if you are going to be away.
Request signature confirmation on packages and add package tracking.
Don't send cash in the mail.
If you move, file a change of address with USPS at www.usps.com and let your financial institutions know as soon as possible.
If you suspect you may be a victim of mail theft, report it at www.uspis.gov/report.

Letter carrier safety

Thieves are getting bolder. They're targeting letter carriers and stealing mail, packages, and even employee valuables. USPIS constantly strives to protect those who deliver to your door.

Postal inspectors are on the job, focusing on operations in high-risk areas, increasing awareness through education, and enforcing more than 200 laws designed to protect the nation's mailstream. Recent operations have led to the arrests of individuals involved in postal-related crimes, and the Postal Inspection Service is committed to making sure every letter carrier returns home safely this holiday season and all year long.

Protect yourself (and your letter carriers!)

If you see suspicious activity, call 9-1-1 immediately, then postal inspectors at (877) 876-2455.
Secure packages immediately after delivery.
Have your local post office hold mail/deliveries if you are going to be away.
Ensure valuables remain out of sight. Whether on your person or at your front door, your valuables are a target for thieves who are always on alert for their next opportunity.

For more information on what postal inspectors are doing to protect employees and customers, visit Project Safe Delivery - United States Postal Inspection Service (uspis.gov).

Holiday cheer is coming your way this season in the form of cards, letters, and packages. By working together to prevent scams and theft, we can all ensure the season is merry and bright.

Keywords: Postal Inspectors, Holiday Season Crime, Counterfeit stamps, Package Theft, Postal Crime

Baby on the way? 5 ways to prepare first-time siblings

Photo provided

BRANDPOINT MEDIA - Welcoming a baby to the family can be an exciting time, but it also impacts the existing family dynamic and lifestyle. First-time siblings may be overwhelmed and confused by these sudden changes that come with a new baby.

However, parents can help soon-to-be siblings get ready for the changes ahead. Check out these five tips that can help children prepare for becoming first-time siblings.

1. Set expectations

Communication is key to setting first-time siblings at ease. Begin by explaining the care newborns need. Make sure to emphasize that just because the baby needs more time and attention doesn't mean that an older child is being replaced.

Also, discuss what it means to be an older sibling and how they can help take care of the baby. By setting these expectations, your older child will be better prepared for the adjustments and responsibilities that come with the arrival of a younger sibling.

2. Practice gentle touch

It's important to teach young children how fragile newborns are, especially if your older child is around a year old. Practice gentle touch with your child so they know how to handle their sibling with care.

A great way to practice gentle touch is with interactive play with a baby doll like BABY born My First Baby. For over 30 years, parents and grandparents have relied on these toys that foster compassion and nurturing play and teach developmental skills to young children.

This baby doll is the perfect first companion for your little one, with her soft body that is ideal for cuddles. Using this doll, you can safely teach your older child how to nurture and care for their future sibling.

3. Include them in the baby's routine

A great way to help first-time siblings feel included is to involve them in the baby's daily routine. How involved they can be will depend on their age, but even small tasks like singing a lullaby or picking out the baby's clothes can create a bond between siblings.

Children around age 3 and older can practice with a BABY born My Real Baby. This lifelike doll is just like a real baby - she makes baby sounds, sucks on her bottle or pacifier with an actual moving mouth, goes potty, goes to sleep and even cries real tears.

Once the baby arrives, encourage your older child to take care of their doll while you take care of the baby. When your newborn needs a diaper change, your older child can change their baby doll's diaper. By including them in these activities and routines, you can foster a sense of responsibility and love between siblings.

4. Encourage siblings to participate in the baby's milestones

First smiles, first words and first steps are memories families cherish forever. As your younger child grows, encourage your older child to help their sibling reach important milestones.

For example, before the baby arrives and while they're small, your older child can practice helping a baby learn to walk with the BABY born Learn To Walk doll. This doll really crawls on her own and walks with the help of your child! To crawl, simply set the doll down in a crawling position, and she'll start moving across the floor, complete with adorable crawling sounds and motions. Sometimes, the doll will fall and cry, but she gets right back up to try again - just like a real baby. The doll can take her first steps when your child holds her hands, making it an interactive and delightful experience as they help her learn to walk. Make sure to tell them about the first time they achieved these milestones, too! It's a fun and touching way to connect their experiences with their siblings.

5. Nurture sibling play

Sibling playtime is an important part of child development for older and younger siblings. By playing with their younger siblings, older children can help them develop social skills, communication abilities and emotional intelligence, as well as gain more of these skills, too.

Of course, some activities will be too advanced for newborns. Your child can practice playing with their siblings by including their baby doll in their solo playtime. The BABY born Tricycle accessory allows your older child to take any of their BABY born dolls out for a stroll. There's even a handle for kids to push their doll around while they sit safely on the trike.

With some love, patience and forethought, you can easily prepare first-time siblings to welcome the newest addition to the family. To learn more about the power of nurture play, visit BABYborn.MGAE.com.

Photo Gallery |
Spartan win sets collision course with Rockets

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Kodey McKinney hands the ball off to running back Wyatt Wertz during their home game last Saturday against West Frankfort. The Spartans won the first-round IHSA playoff game easily, 48-0. Below are a few moments from the game that sealed a date at Unity yesterday. See even more photos on photonewsphotos.com.