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.
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
