St. Joseph-Ogden soccer continues historic run with second straight regional title

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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.

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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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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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

Backtrack | Prairie Central battles but falls short to Lexington in tight home matchup

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Highlights, Heartbreaks, and Hustle:

Back at the end of August, Prairie Central dropped a hard-fought match to Lexington but showed promise across all levels. The JV team earned a solid 2-0 victory to highlight the night.

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FAIRBURY – A long rally here, a dig there, and a crowd that kept holding its breath — Prairie Central’s matchup with Lexington on Sept. 2 had all the energy of midseason volleyball, even if it ended in disappointment for the home team.

The Lady Hawks dropped a tight 2-0 decision to the visiting Minutemen, falling 25-19 in the opener and 27-25 in a second-set nail-biter that could’ve gone either way. For head coach Kirsten Smith’s squad, it was one of those early-season games that reveal a team’s character as much as its record.

“We came out a little slow tonight but we were able to get some energy as we went on,” Smith said. “The second set was exciting but Lexington got us on a five-point run that swayed the momentum in the opposite direction. Lexington played solid defense and played scrappy when it mattered, keeping our hitters from getting the kills we wanted.”

Prairie Central had its share of bright spots in the loss. Charlee Popejoy led all servers with six service points and two aces, while Kinley Elliott paced the attack with seven kills. Setter Kyah Creek distributed the ball efficiently, finishing with 17 assists, and sophomore libero Paige Young showed her defensive chops by collecting 18 digs. The front line saw contributions from Mia Elliott, who recorded two assisted blocks to slow Lexington’s momentum when the Hawks needed it most.

The loss comes on the heels of a two-set defeat to Illini Prairie Conference rival Pontiac (25-23, 25-18), but it follows a solid showing in the early-season tournament, where Prairie Central swept both Dwight and Tri-Point in straight sets. Those results, paired with Smith’s steady focus on growth and chemistry, suggest a squad capable of tightening up as the season wears on.

“We’re proud of our JV team as they really came alive against Lexington today,” Smith said, noting that the younger groups continue to make big strides. The JV earned a solid 2-0 victory (25-20, 25-16), while the freshman team battled through three sets before falling 25-15, 15-25, 15-6.

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Backtrack: Highlights, Heartbreaks, and Hustle is the Sentinel's retrospective look back, highlighting games and athletic performances that might have been lost or overlooked in the regular season chaos.

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TAGS: Prairie Central Lady Hawks volleyball, Lexington Minutemen volleyball, Illinois high school volleyball recap, Fairbury sports news, Prairie Central vs Lexington 2025

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The Sentinel On This Day | October 26

Archived articles published on October 26 in previous years from The Sentinel. Topics include local news, sports, community events, politics, and Opinion-Editorial viewpoints.

Each day, we revisit stories that shaped our community — from thrilling high school sports moments and heartfelt local events to coverage of state politics, healthcare developments, and opinion pieces that sparked conversation. Explore archived stories published on October 26 from previous years, offering a snapshot of life in Champaign County and beyond by The Sentinel.

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St. Joseph-Ogden set to face #3 Benton Rangers in IHSA Playoffs

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

Falcons fly high: GCMS clinches division crown with statement sin over Ridgeview

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Under Friday night lights, GCMS Falcons defeated Ridgeview 55-27 to clinch the Heart of Illinois Medium Division title.

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by Alan Look
Best Look Magazine

Photo: AlanLook.com/Alan Look

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COLFAX, Ill. — Under the Friday night lights at Ridgeview High School, the stakes couldn’t have been higher. Senior Night. A packed crowd. And the Heart of Illinois Medium Division title hanging in the balance.

The GCMS Falcons delivered a performance that matched the moment, overpowering the Ridgeview Mustangs 55-27 in a game that showcased speed, grit, and championship-caliber execution. With the win, GCMS locked in a 7-2 regular-season record and a perfect 4-0 mark in division play, securing the title outright.

From the opening kickoff, GCMS dictated the tempo. Their offense churned out sustained drives, while the defense kept Ridgeview’s playmakers in check. Ridgeview, celebrating its seniors in front of a spirited home crowd, showed flashes of resilience but couldn’t match the Falcons’ relentless pace.

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Photo: AlanLook.com/Alan Look

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The Mustangs entered the night with hopes of a title-clinching upset, but GCMS’s balanced attack and disciplined execution proved too much. As the final whistle blew, the Falcons stood tall — not just as victors of the night but as champions of the division.

The win marked a defining moment in GCMS’s season, setting the tone for postseason play and reinforcing their reputation as one of Central Illinois’ most formidable programs.

Relive the GCMS Falcons’ championship-clinching victory with exclusive, high-impact images from the game, captured by Alan Look Photography. With more than 26 years documenting Central Illinois sports, Alan Look brings unmatched precision, timing, and storytelling to every frame. From sideline intensity to celebratory moments, these visuals are more than photos — they’re history in motion.

..::.. Click here to see exclusive photos from this game ..::..

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Tags: GCMS Falcons Heart of Illinois Medium Division title, Ridgeview vs GCMS high school football highlights, Central Illinois high school football championship game, Alan Look Photography sports action shots, Senior Night high school football game

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St. Joseph-Ogden families encouraged to meet teachers for fall conference

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With report cards going home October 24, SJO parents will have an opportunity to connect with teachers during fall conferences on October 30. The school encourages families to schedule times early to ensure availability.

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It’s that time of year again when backpacks get a little heavier with report cards, and parents get a chance to check in on how things are going in the classroom. St. Joseph-Ogden High School will host Parent-Teacher Conferences on Thursday, October 30, from 3 to 5 p.m. and again from 6 to 9 p.m.

Parents are encouraged to schedule a conference time with their student’s teachers or counselor by contacting the school office at (217) 469-7321 or by emailing fallsn@sjo.k12.il.us no later than October 28.

First-quarter grades will be sent home with students on October 24, providing a great starting point for conversations about academic progress and goals. Families with questions about scheduling or conference details are invited to call the high school office for assistance.

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St. Joseph-Ogden High School parent-teacher conferences, SJO fall conference scheduling information, how to contact SJO High School office, first quarter grade discussions SJO High School, SJO High School October 30 parent meetings

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How to ease cold symptoms: Expert advice from OSF HealthCare’s Dr. Kimberly Walker

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Family medicine physician Dr. Kimberly Walker of OSF HealthCare offers practical ways to manage seasonal colds and ease symptoms. She reminds parents that most colds resolve within a week or two but advises seeing a doctor if symptoms persist or worsen.

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by Matt Sheehan
OSF Healthcare

Dr. Kimberly Walker

BLOOMINGTON - Runny noses, sore throats and coughs are back in season.

For parents, it’s a yearly dance with kids at school and family gatherings that help spread germs, colds and viruses. Since it’s impossible for every person to avoid this, how can we minimize the severity of your symptoms? That’s where Kimberly Walker, MD, a family medicine physician at OSF HealthCare, comes in with some helpful advice.

Over-the counter options

Not every symptom calls for a doctor’s visit, and if you address your signs early enough, Dr. Walker says the length of your cold can decrease drastically.

“Within the first 24 hours, you can take Zinc lozenges,” Dr. Walker says. “That helps inhibit the amount of the virus that’s getting into your cells and body. But it’s only working within that first 24 hours.”

For children and adults alike, Dr. Walker offers another easy to find alternative that can provide relief.

“We’ve used this for many years, the Vick’s VapoRub. Luckily, it doesn’t sting or burn as much anymore. They have the creams and rubs which are a great source to use for your children to breathe easier and to sleep easier.”

Another option that has some health benefits? Celery.

“It has properties where it will numb the back of the throat and helps with sore throats. So, you can give them celery and peanut butter, ants on a log, right? It’s a good treat and helps with their sore throat,” Dr. Walker adds.

How to treat children with a cold

First and foremost, hand hygiene is key. Turn it into a fun game with your children at home. Remind them to cough into their sleeve and not out into thin air, spreading viral particles around.

“In children we want to make sure they’re well hydrated. Make sure they’re drinking plenty of fluids, particularly water and not sugar beverages. For any body aches or fevers they may have, given them Tylenol,” Dr. Walker says. “You can also do children’s Motrin, and cycle that with the Tylenol. Usually those are weight-based dosing, so make sure you know how much your child weighs and pay attention to the directions on the medication boxes.”

For babies, medicine isn’t always an option. Dr. Walker offers some advice for caregivers to provide comfort to infants with a cold.

“The biggest thing is going to be nasal irrigation with saline and making sure their airways are clear of mucus,” Dr. Walker says. “Really suctioning and getting those airways clear is very important for them.”

How can decongestants help?

“This is going to be a self-limited illness. Decongestants are going to help you breathe better,” Dr. Walker says. “You can also use an antihistamine with the decongestant, something like Claritin-D. It is something that will help you breathe better and rest better.”

But when you’re walking the pharmacy aisle seeing a bunch of different options, how can you choose? Dr. Walker has some tips.

“Afrin is a good decongestant to use, but you can only use Afrin for three days. Flonase is an intranasal steroid, but Flonase has been proven in studies not to help in the common cold. It is helpful with allergies, though,” Dr. Walker adds.

Colds and viruses tend to last one to two weeks. If your symptoms are more serious or linger on much longer than that, reach out to your primary care team and schedule an appointment.

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Tagged: how to treat children’s colds at home safely, best over-the-counter remedies for cold and sore throat, OSF HealthCare cold and flu prevention tips, Dr. Kimberly Walker family medicine advice, natural ways to ease congestion and cold symptoms

The Sentinel On This Day | October 25

Archived articles published on October 25 in previous years from The Sentinel. Topics include local news, sports, community events, politics, and Opinion-Editorial viewpoints.

Each day, we revisit stories that shaped our community — from thrilling high school sports moments and heartfelt local events to coverage of state politics, healthcare developments, and opinion pieces that sparked conversation. Explore archived stories published on October 25 from previous years, offering a snapshot of life in Champaign County and beyond by The Sentinel.

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Week 9 IHSA football scores from around the state

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.

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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

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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

SJO wins 'Senior Night' game with 56-21 win over Pontiac

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.

Spartan Senior Salute |12 and out with Coy Hayes

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

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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.

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