Here are Week 5 predictions from seven IPC football fans for this edition of The Sentinel’s Friday Night Forecast.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Unity's Crewe Eckstein celebrates a touchdown against Bloomington Central Catholic earlier this month. You will find the senior in the end zone most of the night in the Rockets' homecoming game against Pontiac tonight. URBANA - Each week, we invite Illini Prairie Conference fans to predict the winners from conference matchups. New experts are welcome every week. Here what the team of experts say this week.
Week 5 predictions
Illini Prairie Game of the Week
Central Catholic @ Monticello
Alan: Central Catholic .::. 28-17 Frank: Central Catholic .::. 34-18 J: Monticello .::. 28-20 Sara C: Central Catholic .::. 48-24 Denise: Central Catholic .::. 28-21 Lyman: Monticello .::. 28-27 Brooks Look: Monticello will throw the kitchen sink at the Saints. However, based on the way Central Catholic handled the Unity Rockets in Week 3, I've gotta go with undefeated BCC .
Central Catholic 42, Monticello 21
Prairie Central @ Illinois Valley Central
Alan: Prairie Central .::. 31-14 Frank: Prairie Central .::. 21-14 J: Prairie Central .::. 20-12 Sara C: Illinois Valley Central .::. 28-21 Denise: Prairie Central .::. 27-7 Lyman: Prairie Central .::. 56-0 Brooks Look: It is redemption week for the Hawks coming off a 10-point loss to Paxton-Buckley-Loda. I see the Prairie Central swooping in for a victory on the Grey Ghosts.
Prairie Central 28, IVC 14
Paxton-Buckley-Loda @ Tuscola
Alan: Paxton-Buckley-Loda .::. 27-21 Frank: Paxton-Buckley-Loda .::. 20-18 J: Paxton-Buckley-Loda .::. 22-20 Sara C: Paxton-Buckley-Loda .::. 36-14 Denise: Paxton-Buckley-Loda .::. 28-14 Lyman: Paxton-Buckley-Loda .::. 35-24 Brooks Look: I hate to bet against the Panthers, but Tuscola has home field advantage and a two-game win streak that started with upset on the road at Tri-Valley.
Tuscola 28, PBL 24
St. Joseph-Ogden @ Rantoul
Alan: St. Joseph-Ogden .::. 42-7 Frank: St. Joseph-Ogden .::. 52-6 J: St. Joseph-Ogden .::. 42-12 Sara C: St. Joseph-Ogden .::. 50-6 Denise: St. Joseph-Ogden .::. 48-0 Lyman: St. Joseph-Ogden .::. 63-0 Brooks Look: The Spartan offense will cook tonight. 'Nuff said.
SJO 48, Rantoul 12
Unity vs Pontiac
Alan: Unity .::. 35-13 Frank: Unity .::. 38-12 J: Unity .::. 42-7 Sara C: Unity .::. 48-14 Denise: Unity .::. 36-7 Lyman: Unity .::. 49-0 Brooks Look: Unity defense was firing on all cylinders at Dick Duval Field last week and their offense capitalized on coverage missteps by the Spartans. They will be a juggernaut in the first three quarters.
Unity 49, Pontiac 7
Week 4 Scores
Monticello 39, St. Teresa 20
Paxton-Buckley-Loda 24, Prairie Central 14
Pontiac 28, IVC 7
Central Catholic 51, Rantoul 6
Unity 40, St. Joseph-Ogden 10
Alan: Champaign Central .::. 35-14 Clark: Peoria Richwoods .::. 28-21
Normal Community vs Peoria Manual
Alan: Normal Community .::. 49-16 Clark: Normal Community .::. 42-6
Normal West @ Peoria
Alan: Peoria High School .::. 64-20 Clark: Peoria High School .::. 28-14
With Week 5 voting closed, check back Monday to see how accurate this week's guesses were to the real thing. Whether you’re a die-hard fan, a proud alum, or just love the spirit of high school football, Friday Night Forecast brings the fun of the season straight to area prep football fans. Join us in next week poll on Tuesday.
Below are the Week 4 standings.
Week 4 Results
Rank
Name
Record
Notes
1
Clark
6-0
Prefect week - woo-woo!
2
Alan
4-2
Cumulative Standings
Rank
Name
Total Record
Wins
Notes
1
Alan
21-4
2
2
Clark
19-6
2
Big Twelve football predictions 2025, Central Illinois high school football picks, Friday Night Forecast Sentinel, Week 5 Illinois prep football forecasts, predictions
Small apartments can feel cramped, but smart use of storage bins helps maximize every inch. From closets to kitchens, these versatile containers keep spaces organized and stylish.
Small apartments often come with one major challenge: limited storage space. The trick is learning how to maximize every square foot without making your home feel cluttered or cramped.
Storage bins are a versatile, stylish, and surprisingly creative solution. More than just containers for closets, they can be used in ways that enhance both function and design. Whether you’re organizing a busy kitchen, keeping your entryway neat, or searching for ways to expand your bedroom space, storage bins can make your apartment feel more spacious and welcoming.
Photo: Lisa Anna/Unsplash
Transforming Closets into Organized Havens
Closets can quickly become a jumble of shoes, clothing, and seasonal items if left unmanaged. Storage bins create designated zones that keep everything in its place. Clear bins make it easy to see what’s inside, while fabric bins add a softer touch for items like scarves, sweaters, or linens. Stacking bins on closet shelves doubles your vertical space and prevents small items from getting lost.
Enhancing Your Entryway with Hidden Storage
Entryways often collect clutter quickly. Adding bins to a console or bench keeps the area tidy while maintaining a welcoming vibe. Lidded bins conceal contents for a streamlined look. If your apartment has a mudroom nook, bins or baskets can separate items for each household member, ensuring everything has its place.
Using Bins as Under-Bed Storage
One overlooked storage opportunity is under the bed. Flat bins fit perfectly in this hidden space, providing discreet storage for off-season clothes, bedding, or shoes. Rolling bins add convenience by allowing easy access. This approach frees up closets and drawers, making your bedroom look more open and less crowded.
Maximizing Bedroom Space
Bedrooms can feel cramped when closet and dresser space isn’t enough. Placing bins under nightstands, inside wardrobes, or at the foot of the bed helps maximize storage without overwhelming the room. Fabric or woven bins lend a cozy look, while sleek plastic versions offer a modern touch. They are ideal for linens, accessories, or workout gear.
Photo: Antoni Shkraba Studio/PEXELS
Keeping the Kitchen Clutter-Free
Kitchens in small apartments are often short on cabinet space, but bins can help. Use them to group pantry items, organize spices, or tidy baking supplies. Clear bins are perfect for refrigerators, separating produce, condiments, or leftovers. Decorative bins on open shelving bring beauty and order, creating a polished look without sacrificing functionality.
Small bathrooms often lack cabinets. Storage bins create space for toiletries, towels, and cleaning supplies. Stackable bins under the sink maximize limited room, while smaller bins on shelves keep essentials within reach. Clear bins are particularly useful for cosmetics, ensuring items don’t get misplaced.
Making the Most of Home Offices
With more people working from home, organization is crucial. Storage bins manage supplies and paperwork without overwhelming desks. Labeled bins ensure important documents are easy to find. For apartments without dedicated offices, bins can be tucked into closets or corners, transforming shared spaces into flexible work zones.
Adding Storage to Kids’ Spaces
Toys and books can take over quickly in small apartments. Storage bins make it easier for kids to tidy up while keeping play areas organized. Brightly colored bins add fun, while clear ones help children see what’s inside. Rotating toys in different bins saves space and keeps playtime fresh.
Elevating Balcony and Outdoor Storage
Even balconies or patios benefit from storage bins. Weather-resistant options hold gardening tools, cushions, or outdoor games. Some bins double as seating or tables, adding comfort and functionality. The right bins help transform balconies into clutter-free extensions of your living space.
Space is precious in small apartments, and storage bins offer an affordable, versatile, and stylish way to maximize it. From closets and kitchens to bedrooms and balconies, bins reduce clutter and increase efficiency. With thoughtful placement, they can transform a cramped apartment into an organized, welcoming haven where every item has its place.
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Darren Bailey kicks off his second gubernatorial campaign with a renewed focus on Chicago and its suburbs.
by Ben Szalinski Capitol News Illinois
BLOOMINGTON - Darren Bailey’s second campaign for governor will take a different approach to Chicago and its suburbs following his unsuccessful 2022 bid, the downstate farmer and former Republican state lawmaker told supporters Thursday.
“This journey is going to look different than it did four years ago,” Bailey said at the second leg of a three-stop campaign kickoff tour in Bloomington. “We're out to win. We're on a mission.”
Bailey began the campaign in downstate Carterville before taking a helicopter owned and piloted by his son to Bloomington, then departing for his opening rally in Oak Brook later in the evening.
Photo: Capitol News Illinois/Ben Szalinski
Former Republican State Sen. Darren Bailey speaks to supporters at a rally in Bloomington to open his 2026 campaign for governor on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025. Bailey named Cook County Republican Party Chair Aaron Del Mar as his running mate.
Bailey, who called Chicago a “hellhole” four years ago, is emphasizing that his campaign will focus more on the city and its suburbs than in 2022. He chose Cook County Republican Party Chair Aaron Del Mar as his running mate, and his campaign logo now includes the skyline of Chicago. Bailey told reporters he believes voters in the Chicago area are more dissatisfied with Gov. JB Pritzker than in 2022.
“The people in Cook County, in Chicago are affected much more, I believe, than they were, you know, four years ago,” Bailey told reporters. “So staying on, you know, the message is really pretty simple and pretty obvious. I mean, taxes are too high. Opportunity doesn't exist. Our children are moving out of the state, and people just simply can't afford to be able to live and work here.”
Bailey argued he and Del Mar can relate more to an average person’s economic struggles than Pritzker — their billionaire opponent if they win the March 17 primary. They said affordability will be their top issue. Bailey pointed to a poll last month by a conservative policy organization that showed Pritzker’s approval rating below 50% for the first time. He said he believes there’s growing momentum for a Republican candidate, despite Pritzker winning the past two elections by double digits.
“The climate here in Illinois is a lot more obvious and conducive than it was three and four years ago,” he said. “People have woke up and they've realized that, ‘wow, why did we just go through these last three years?’ And that they're tired of it.”
Bailey owns and operates a more than 12,000-acre farm in Clay County south of Effingham.
After losing to Pritzker, Bailey lost a congressional primary in 2024. Democrats didn’t show any disappointment in seeing him on the ticket again. Illinois Democratic County Chairs’ Association President Mark Guethle said in a statement Bailey’s decision to run again is “fine by us!”
A new running mate
Bailey said he had not been planning to run for governor until a few weeks ago. Friends encouraged him to consider picking Del Mar as his running mate, he said, despite the pair’s history of disagreements. They met earlier this month to iron out their differences.
“We put it aside; we let the bygones be bygones,” Del Mar said. “And we came out and we said we're going to run together as a team. We're going to bring everybody from the southern area, from the country. We're going to bring everybody from the north.”
Del Mar has long been active in suburban Republican politics and was McHenry County businessman Gary Rabine’s running mate in the 2022 GOP primary for governor. He told Bailey’s supporters on Thursday that he had been planning to run for governor himself. Bailey’s 2022 running mate was Stephanie Trussell, a DuPage County resident and conservative radio host.
Who is Darren Bailey
Bailey owns and operates a more than 12,000-acre farm in Clay County south of Effingham. He’s made the farmer lifestyle a pillar of his statewide campaigns as he often discusses learning the values of hard work and family from the farm. In 2022, Bailey ran a TV ad about building his business by working with his hands. It drew a contrast to Pritzker who inherited wealth, though Pritzker also had a long philanthropic and business career before becoming governor.
He was first elected to the Illinois House in 2018, but his political profile exploded in 2020 after he filed lawsuits challenging Illinois’ stay-at-home and mask orders in the early weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic. The lawsuits helped lionize Bailey among Illinois conservatives who believed the public health restrictions were illegal for the governor to impose.
Bailey won a race for Illinois Senate in 2020 and then launched his 2022 campaign for governor hoping to capitalize on his growing reputation as the most vocal opponent to pandemic mitigations in the legislature.
Bailey’s past results
Bailey cruised to victory in the 2022 Republican primary with 57% of the vote in a field of six candidates. He trounced the favored candidate of establishment Republicans, Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin, who also had a fundraising advantage over Bailey.
But Irvin struggled to articulate his positions on issues while Bailey appealed to conservative voters. Some of that appeal came with the help of Pritzker’s campaign, who, along with the Democratic Governors Association, ran TV ads attacking Bailey during the primary as “too conservative” for Illinois.
The ads boosted Bailey’s conservative credentials in the partisan contest, helping Bailey win 100 of 102 counties. He struggled to gain traction in the general election against Pritzker, though. Bailey's tough-on-crime message failed to land with voters and Pritzker cruised to a 13-point victory that was called within minutes of the polls closing. Bailey won 42% of the vote, including just 24% of Cook County voters.
Photo: Capitol News Illinois/Jerry Norwicki
State Sen. Darren Bailey appears at a news conference alongside law enforcement officers during his 2022 campaign for governor. Bailey plans a second run for Illinois governor in 2026 with Aaron Del Mar as his running mate.
Bailey came back to the campaign trail in 2024 and billed himself as a more conservative alternative to Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Bost in the 12th Congressional District across southern Illinois. Bost was an ally of President Donald Trump, who endorsed Bost over Bailey, despite endorsing Bailey’s candidacy for governor. Bailey came up about 2,700 votes short.
Bailey told reporters on Thursday he has not spoken with Trump but would consider seeking his endorsement. Bailey joins the Republican primary field of DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick, conservative researcher Ted Dabrowski and Lake Forest businessman Joe Severino.
Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service that distributes state government coverage to hundreds of news outlets statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.
Senior Samy Kelso leads St. Joseph-Ogden with a 5-3 record, guiding a balanced Spartans tennis team built on depth and commitment.
URBANA - St. Joseph-Ogden senior Samy Kelso has become the anchor of the Spartans’ girls’ tennis team, showcasing a season defined by growth, resilience and mental toughness.
With a 5-3 record, Kelso has delivered some of the team’s most notable performances, including a Sept. 10 victory over Schlarman standout Reagan Troglia, 6-2, 6-1. Eight days later, she squared off with Pontiac’s state-qualifier Olivia Masching, battling hard in a 6-2, 6-1 loss that highlighted the high level of competition she continues to face. For Kelso, both matches were steppingstones in what has become one of her strongest campaigns yet.
Kelso added another notch to her winning record this week against Decatur St. Teresa, defeating Vinathi Marri in straight sets, 7-5, 7-6 (4). The victory wasn’t easy, as Marri forced Kelso into a tiebreaker in the second set, but the senior dug deep and held her composure to seal the win.
St. Joseph-Ogden head coach Kevin Martlage praised her ability to embrace the team’s mantra of “play it one point at a time” after Tuesday's marathon match at Atkins Tennis Center.
He said Kelso’s mental strength has allowed her to rally in tough moments, turning what might have been losses in past seasons into wins. “She has also honestly become an absolutely great tennis player that loves the sport and is driven by continuing to get better and better each day,” Martlage said.
While Kelso has drawn much of the spotlight, the Spartans have seen depth across their lineup. Lily Rice continues to solidify the No. 2 singles slot, topping Decatur’s Brooke Nelson 6-3, 6-4, with steady serves and quick returns. At No. 5, Avarie Dietiker delivered a steady performance, winning 6-1, 7-5, while Nora Buckley powered through a two-set win at No. 6, showing the importance of closing out long rallies.
Though losses came at the No. 3 and No. 4 singles spots, teammates Audrie Helfrich and Maddie Wells continue to gain valuable experience against strong competition. Martlage noted that both players have made strides in their confidence on the court, even in defeat.
The team’s progress in the latter half of the season comes from strong chemistry, individual commitment, and off-season skill development by returning players.
SJO’s doubles squads made a clean sweep against Decatur, providing the perfect capstone to the 7-2 team win. The pairings of Ainsley Rhoten and Shelby Warns, Madison Farber and Kenley Ray, and Sophie Schmitz and Karleigh Spain all secured victories, with Schmitz and Spain closing out their match in dominating fashion, 6-1, 6-0.
Rhoten and Warns pulled away in the second set to finish 7-5, 6-2, while Farber and Ray battled through a tight tiebreaker to secure a 7-6 (4) victory in the second set. The effort reflected the Spartans’ team-first mentality, one that emphasizes spreading opportunities across the lineup and giving every player a chance to compete under pressure.
Ava Midkiff lines up a shot while playing at #2 doubles in St. Joseph-Ogden's against Urbana back in early September. The Spartan dropped the road match 6-3 to the Tigers. The two teams face each other again on Monday at Blair Park for a season rematch.
The team’s progress in the latter half of the season comes from strong chemistry, individual commitment, and off-season skill development by returning players. Martlage pointed out that from starters to alternates, veterans to neophytes, everyone works hard in practice to improve. Unlike a lot of high school teams, SJO doesn't rely on the strongest six players for every lineup.
"Every person on the team also works hard in practice and they continue to advance their ability to play a sport many of them never played before joining the team," said head coach Kevin Martlage. "I also feel that an 'X Factor' is our approach to playing 12 different players each and every match instead of doubling up the same 6 players between singles and doubles."
While it hasn’t always translated to a winning record, Martlage's goal is to build long-term success for his players to continue tennis year-round. "This has helped to prepare them for success while giving them important court time and confidence," he said.
A federal judge rules that Illinois cannot be denied emergency funding for refusing to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.
by Ben Szalinski Capitol News Illinois
Photo: Capitol News Illinois/Andrew Adams
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul discusses a lawsuit against the federal government at a news conference in January 2025.
SPRINGFIELD - The Trump administration cannot withhold federal emergency funding from Illinois because the state refuses to participate in federal immigration enforcement, a Rhode Island federal judge ruled on Wednesday.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January requiring the Department of Homeland Security and agencies under its command, such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency, to stop providing federal funds to states that don’t cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.
The move was designed to force states like Illinois to abandon laws that prohibit law enforcement from participating in civil immigration enforcement. Trump’s order could have applied to hundreds of millions of dollars of federal funding Illinois receives for natural disaster responses and other emergencies. But a judge ruled it unconstitutional after Illinois and other states sued.
“I appreciate the court’s conclusion that DHS’ decision-making process was ‘wholly under-reasoned and arbitrary,’” Attorney General Kwame Raoul said in a statement. “The court’s ruling will ensure vital dollars that states rely on to prepare for and respond to emergencies are not withheld simply for political purposes.”
The 2017 TRUST Act, signed by Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, prohibits Illinois law enforcement from arresting a person based solely on their immigration status. In most cases, law enforcement cannot assist immigration officials with detaining people based solely on immigration status, according to Raoul’s office.
The judge ruled that the order violates the Constitution because Congress controls spending. The attorneys general filed the suit in the U.S. District Court of Rhode Island.
“Sweeping immigration-related conditions imposed on every DHS-administered grant, regardless of statutory purpose, lack the necessary tailoring,” U.S. District Judge William E. Smith wrote. “The Spending Clause requires that conditions be ‘reasonably calculated’ to advance the purposes for which funds are expended ... and DHS has failed to demonstrate any such connection outside of a few programs.”
Abortion funding
Raoul also filed a new motion on Wednesday alongside 21 other states and Washington, D.C., that seeks to stop a new federal law from blocking funding to Planned Parenthood and other health care facilities that provide abortion services.
The attorneys general originally filed the lawsuit at the end of July to challenge a provision in congressional Republicans’ “One Big Beautiful Bill” that prohibits abortion clinics from using Medicaid funding for reproductive health services for one year.
The attorneys general argue the timeline of the law and details about which providers are included is too vague.
“We are urging the court to halt enforcement of the Defund Provision, which is clearly intended to shutter Planned Parenthood,” Raoul said in a statement. “Planned Parenthood facilities play a key role in our nation’s health and wellness by providing preventative care to more than 1 million Americans.”
The motion comes as Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin announced Wednesday that it will pause scheduling abortions because of the bill, causing fears for Illinois abortion providers about a surge in demand. Wisconsin Attorney General Joshua Kaul is also part of the lawsuit.
Capitol News Illinois is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news service that distributes state government coverage to hundreds of news outlets statewide. It is funded primarily by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.
Moms across the U.S. are sharing similar struggles, highlighting the systemic failures in family and child care policy. Stories from Sweden, Norway, Canada, and Portugal show alternatives where child care is affordable and supportive of parents.
by Brea Harris OtherWords
At three months old, my son was kicked out of his daycare.
I had spent my pregnancy navigating my city’s brutal child care landscape — posting on social media looking for nanny shares, adding my name to year-long waitlists, and wondering how I was going to pay the astronomical daycare fees.
So when I found this place, I felt a flood of relief. It was close to my job, half the cost of others in the area, and had a gold star recommendation from a friend of a friend. It seemed like a unicorn amidst daycares. It seemed like the perfect fit.
Yet less than a week after I returned to work, I received a call asking me to pick up my son because he was crying too much. The next day, same call. After a few days I was told “it was not a good fit.” I had until the end of the month.
I quickly learned that I’m not alone. Almost every mom I know has a story like this.
I had exhausted my PTO and depleted my savings in an attempt to offset the costs of my unpaid leave. I don’t have family nearby. I’m a single mom working in healthcare unable to work remotely or stay home full time. And I had no idea where I was going to send my three month old son during the day while I worked.
I sent out desperate pleas to mom groups in my area and eventually, through the power of the moms in my community, I found the daycare he now attends.
I love this daycare. However, it costs more than my rent — it puts a $1,600 deficit in my monthly budget. So with each passing month I fall further behind on car payments, student loans, utilities. And every day I field calls from debt collectors.
All of this is due to the cost of child care.
It was moms that helped me secure a last minute daycare spot.
When I started sharing my story with friends, coworkers, and random moms on the playground, I quickly learned that I’m not alone. Almost every mom I know has a story like this. They’ve been juggling budget deficits to afford care, pleading for financial aid, adding their names to yearlong wait lists, reducing their work hours, or cutting their careers short.
The details vary, but the common thread is this: Child care costs are unsustainable.
This late night rabbit hole affirmed what I already knew in my gut: moms in the U.S. are struggling due to systemic issues and policy failures. And it does not have to be this way.
In my 13 months of motherhood, I’ve already witnessed the power moms have when we band together. It was moms that helped me secure a last minute daycare spot. It was moms who recently gathered at a local park to swap baby gear in response to rising prices.
And it will be moms who demand more from our policymakers when it comes to the accessibility of child care in our country.
Unity placed sixth, led by Claire Zorns’ 99, their first conference golf tournament. Monticello set a school record to win the IPC Girls Golf Tournament at Wolf Creek with a 330.
PONTIAC - The Unity Rockets girls golf team showed determination and grit at the Illini Prairie Conference Tournament on Tuesday at Wolf Creek Golf Course. Facing the league's toughest competition in their first conference meet appearance with 31 players ready to make their mark on the links, Unity finished sixth with a team score of 445.
Leading the Rockets was Claire Zorns, who carded a 99 to place 17th overall. Teammates Olivia Witheft and Olivia Styan each shot 113, with Haley Ennis (120), Ellery Merkle (122) and Addison Mohr (124) contributing to the team’s total. Each player gained valuable experience competing against some of the top golfers in the small school division.
While Monticello captured the team championship with a record-breaking 330 and junior Cate Sanders earned individual medalist honors with a 75, Unity’s focus remained on the progress of its own roster. St. Thomas More and Bloomington Central Catholic rounded out the top three teams, demonstrating the depth of the Illini Prairie Conference.
Final Team Standings
1. Monticello 330
2. Bloomington Central Catholic 333
3. St. Thomas More 376
4. Prairie Central 403
5. Pontiac 408
6. Unity 445
7. Rantoul 349
Top 10 Individual Finishers
1. Cate Sanders, Monticello 75
2. Caroline Braucht, Central Catholic 76
3. Sydney Braucht, Central Catholic 82
3. Maddie Bradbury, Central Catholic 82
5. Rachel Ross, Monticello 84
6. Isabella Beery, Monticello 85
7. Taylor Wells, St. Thomas More 86
8. Claire Foster, Monticello 86
9. Jenika Biggs, St. Thomas More 90
10. Ella Farrell, Prairie Central 92
St. Joseph-Ogden rolled past Unity 7-0 for its 17th straight win, extending its shutout dominance so far this season.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
Hunter Cler settles the ball during the Spartans' home match on Saturday against IVC. Cler delivered two goals in St. Joseph-Ogden's game against Unity on Tuesday.
ST. JOSEPH - The St. Joseph-Ogden soccer team rumbled to a 5-0 first half start against visiting Unity on Tuesday. Adding two more goals in the second frame, the Spartans defeated the Rockets 7-0 in Illini Prairie Conference play at Dick Duval Field.
Hunter Cler opened the scoring with a finish off a Lucas Stevens pass, and the goals came quickly after that. Tyler Hess buried one, Cler struck again—again with Stevens providing the setup—and Stevens himself joined the party with a goal of his own. Before halftime, Zach Harper dished an assist to Skyler Graham, who closed the first-half scoring with the Spartans up 5-0.
The second half played out much the same way. Harper found the net and later turned provider again, assisting Waylon Jones to close out SJO’s seven-goal shutout win.
The victory only added to a remarkable run under head coach Chris Stevens, who has led the Spartans to 55 wins against just 11 losses in his two and a half seasons at the helm. Ranked by both the Associated Press and MaxPreps, the Spartans are a perfect 17-0 this fall. For context, the Illinois high school record for consecutive wins belongs to New Trier, which strung together 88 victories between 2002 and 2005. While SJO isn’t there yet, the streak has put them in rare company.
Even more eye-catching than the win-loss column is the team’s defensive dominance. Tuesday’s clean sheet was their 12th of the season, and between August 29 and September 18 they stacked nine straight to enter the IHSA’s consecutive shutouts list. The Spartans have scored 98 goals so far this season while surrendering just seven—yes, you can still count them all on two hands.
SJO’s schedule doesn’t slow down. They’ll host Georgetown-Ridge Farm-Westville on Sept. 27, face Danville in a non-conference match on Sept. 29, and return to league play Oct. 1 at St. Thomas More. Four more regular season games remain before the Spartans turn their focus toward postseason play.
For Unity, the night was another tough outing. The Rockets fell to 1-5-2 overall and 0-2 in the Illini Prairie. They’ll travel to Rantoul on Sept. 25 and then host Illinois Valley Central Saturday morning at 10 a.m.
Box Score
Scoring Summary
St. Joseph-Ogden 7, Unity 0
First Half
SJO – Hunter Cler (assist Lucas Stevens)
SJO – Tyler Hess
SJO – Hunter Cler (assist Lucas Stevens)
SJO – Lucas Stevens
SJO – Skyler Graham (assist Zach Harper)
Second Half
SJO – Zach Harper
SJO – Waylon Jones (assist Zach Harper)
Team Records
St. Joseph-Ogden: 17-0 (2-0 IPC)
Unity: 1-5-2 (0-2 IPC)
TAGS: St. Joseph-Ogden soccer 2025 season, Unity Rockets vs SJO soccer recap, Illini Prairie Conference boys soccer scores, Illinois high school soccer shutouts, unbeaten high school soccer teams Illinois
Opponents say repealing the Roadless Rule would harm pristine forests, worsen climate change and endanger Midwest water supplies.
Photo: Tienko Dima/Unsplash
by Judith Ruiz-Branch Public News Service CHICAGO - Environmental advocates are urging residents in Illinois and across the Midwest to oppose the Trump administration's proposal to repeal the Roadless Rule. The conservation policy safeguards more than half a million acres of undeveloped land in National Forests across the Midwest from road construction and logging.
Kelly Thayer, senior policy advocate with the Environmental Law and Policy Center, said these lands have remained untouched for decades and represent some of America's most pristine wilderness. He stressed that cutting them down to allow logging, mining and roads would accelerate climate change and threaten the water source for many communities.
"So, ironically, the rule is preventing fires," he explained. "The Trump administration wants to repeal it in the name of fighting fires. The truth is that roads and people who use them are the greatest cause of forest fires."
Thayer added that the law includes flexibility for things like fire management, making the proposed repeal unnecessary. He emphasizes how critical it is for people to voice their concerns now given the U.S. Department of Agriculture only provided a 21-day public comment period which ends Friday. People can submit comments online at Regulations.gov.
The Roadless Rule was established in 2001. Thayer said after more than 600 public meetings and a record 1.6 million public comments, an overwhelming majority of people supported the protection of these natural lands. So far, more than 133,000 comments have been submitted to the U.S. Department of Agriculture in response to the proposed repeal.
"We have some fantastic wild gems right in our midst," he said. "These areas are in our backyard and they can be lost, and lost forever if we don't stand up and take action now."
Those include Illinois’ Shawnee National Forest and the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in Wisconsin. Thayer stressed these wildlands would be at risk should the Department of Agriculture move forward with ending the Roadless Rule. Supporters of the rollback say more roads will help firefighters reach hard-to-access areas and provide economic opportunities through logging.
More stories ~
Bloomington 31, Normal West 27
Champaign Centennial 14, Danville 7
Peoria 76, Manual 6
Peoria Notre Dame 42, Richwoods 6
Champaign Central 46, Urbana 0
Normal Community 17, Kankakee 28
URBANA - This week's prediction poll for the Friday Night Forecast is closed. Here are this week's picks from area Big Twelve fans.
