Photo Gallery |Spartans beat Rockets in Week 2 thriller at Dick Duval Field

Tanner Siems bursts through the Spartan banner followed by the rest of the team during the pregrame introduction on Friday at Dick Duval Field. Hours later St. Joseph-Ogden would emerge victorious in the home game against Unity, 24-21.

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An SJO student fan cheers during first-quarter action against the visiting Rockets. It took a little under eight minutes for the Spartans to light up the scoreboard on their way to their second conference win.

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Members of the St. Joseph-Ogden Maroon Platoon cheer for the Spartans during the first half of the game. SJO led the Illini Prairie Conferenc game at the half, 21-14 .

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Unity running back Garrett Richardson finds plenty of running room against the Spartans in the first half.

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Unity running back Garrett Richardson is brought down an 11 yard run.

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Kaden Wedig hangs on to pass during first half action against the Rockets.

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Virtually untouched, Rocket running back Garrett Richardson slides into the end zone on a six-yard run for a third-quarter touchdown to tie up the score at 21-all.

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Unity's Tyler Henry shoves St. Joseph-Ogden's Tim Blackburn-Kelley out of bounds. Blackburn-Kelley finished Friday's game with seven yards rushing on four carries and two catches for 23 yards. He also tallied a 32-yard run on a kick return and two more on a punt return.

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Members of the St. Joseph-Ogden's Class of 1994 are recognized between quarters. The alumni enjoy their reunion weekend with a Spartan football victory.

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Drummer for the March Spartans pounds out beat during a break in the action on the field.

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A Spartan cheerleader keeps an eye on the action on the field. This year's 20-member squad kept fans and the student section cheering all four quarters of the home game.

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St. Joseph-Ogden linebacker Brayden Waller block Unity's Coleton Langendorf.

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Wyatt Wertz scampers past a Unity lineman. Wertz delivered 19 of SJO's 159 yards on the ground.

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Unity's Tyler Henry avoids St. Joseph-Ogden's Tayton Gerdes while returning a kickoff. His only return on special teams, Henry took the ball 49 yard before being stopped by the Spartans.

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SJO's Carson Sarnecki and Quincy Jones wrap up Unity running back Garrett Richardson during third quarter action.

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Covered by Unity's Ryan Rink, Spartan receiver Kaden Wedig snags the ball for a fourth-quarter catch.

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Brennan Oleynichak lifts teammate Coy Taylor into the air after his 26-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter. Taylor tallied a game-high 105 yards with nine catches.

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Kaden Wedig hauls in a pass despite in-his-face coverage from Unity's Graydin Cler during the fourth quarter. Wedig, who finished with three catches for 42 yards, fell out of bounds in what could have been the go-ahead touchdown for the Spartans.

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Waiting to go back in, Spartan quarterback Kodey McKinney gazes at the scoreboard at Dick Duval Field during the fourth quarter. The junior signal caller scored St. Joseph-Ogden's first TD on a one-yard run in the first quarter. He finished his second varsity game with 43 rushing yards and threw for 268 yards against the Rockets.

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Spartan manager Cameron Kuchenbrod heads back to the sidelines after giving water to players during a timeout.

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Rockets' Brayden Henry breaks up a pass play to Spartans' Tanner Siems early in the fourth quarter. Siems finished the regular season contest with a 22-yard touchdown in the first quarter and 110 yards.

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Unity's Dane Eisenmenger looks to make a throw in the fourth quarter. The junior quarterback completed seven of his 12 passes for 110 yards and tacked on 15 rushing yards in the loss to the Spartans.

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Rockets' Garrett Richardson stiff arms Tim Blackburn-Kelley on a carry during the fourth quarter. Richardson had 22 carries for 90 yards and a 19-yard catch in Unity's second game of the season.

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Surrounded by teammates Wyatt Wertz, Cameron Wagner, and Gabe Mata, SJO kicker Charlie Schmitz enjoys the moment after kicking the game-winning field goal from 31 yards out with 1.2 seconds left on the clock to seal a 24-21 victory.

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Spartan lineman Josh Courter celebrates with this team after SJO's second-straight regular season win over Unity.

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St. Joseph-Ogden fall sports award winners

The fall of 2025 was one to remember for St. Joseph-Ogden athletics. Varsity letters were awarded to 129 student-athletes across sports and activities.

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ST. JOSEPH - St. Joseph-Ogden High School didn’t just wrap up a fall sports season. It closed the book on one of the most memorable stretches of athletic success the program has seen in years.

Last week, the Spartans announced 129 varsity letter winners from fall sports and activities, a number that speaks not only to wins and trophies, but to depth, commitment and consistency across the athletic department. From packed Friday nights on the football field to championship-caliber finishes on the cross country course and the soccer pitch, St. Joseph-Ogden athletes left their mark throughout the fall of 2025.

Football set the tone early.

After absorbing injuries to key players at the start of the season, the Spartans could have folded. Instead, they regrouped, leaned on grit and tenacity, and found their rhythm when it mattered most. St. Joseph-Ogden finished 8-5 and authored an impressive postseason run that reminded opponents the Spartans are rarely an easy out in November.

It was the kind of season that doesn’t show up fully in a record book. It showed up in long practices, next-man-up performances and a squad that stayed connected through adversity. For the players who earned letters, it was a season built on determination as much as talent.

Distance running brought statewide recognition.

Both the boys and girls cross country teams delivered top-10 finishes at the IHSA state meet in Peoria, continuing SJO's place among Illinois’ elite programs. The boys finished seventh overall, while the girls claimed sixth, a testament to months of disciplined training and steady progression.

Cross country success rarely comes overnight. It is built mile by mile, often before sunrise and long after the school day ends on the roads through and around town. The state finishes reflected not only strong front runners but complete teams that could pack together and score when it mattered most.

Soccer might have been the headline act.

Behind the combined scoring punch of senior Zach Harper and junior Tyler Hess, the Spartans rolled through much of their schedule, overwhelming opponents with pace, precision and confidence. St. Joseph-Ogden finished the season 24-2-2, with the only blemish coming in a hard-fought sectional championship loss to Williamsville.

Under head coach Chris Stevens, the Spartans put together a program-best 22-match unbeaten run, winning 20 matches and tying two. It was the kind of stretch that defines a season and leaves a lasting standard for what Spartan soccer can be.

While championships and records grab attention, the heart of the announcement rested with the 129 student-athletes who earned varsity letters. Those letters represent early mornings, late nights, and the willingness to balance academics with the demands of high-level competition. They also represent teammates who may not always appear in box scores but are essential to a program’s success.

Below is the complete list of award winners and varsity letter recipients at St. Joseph-Ogden High School. Each fall sport and activity contributed to that total, reinforcing the idea that St. Joseph-Ogden athletics is not built on one team or one season, but on a culture of excellence.

FOOTBALL

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Spartan running back Wyatt Wertz celebrates as he lands in the end zone for a touchdown against Pontiac. The senior shared this season's team Offensive Award with Kaden Wedig.

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Team Awards

MVP – Kodey McKinney
MIP – Jonathon Moore
Defensive Award – Coy Hayes
Offensive Award – Wyatt Wertz & Kaden Wedig
Scout Team Award – Holden Hausle
Special Teams Award – Lucas Smith
Lineman Award – Brennan Oleynichak
Spartan Team Player Award – Tim Blackburn-Kelley

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Letterwinners

Matt Alexander, Sr.
Tim Blackburn-Kelley, Sr.
Will Franklin, Sr.
Charlie Hale, Sr.
Coy Hayes, Sr.
Ryker Lockhart, Sr.
Kodey McKinney, Jr.
Jackson Mohr, Sr.
Jonathon Moore, Sr.
Brennan Oleynichak, Sr.
Colton Overstreet, Sr.
Logan Rosenthal, Sr.
Landon Smith, Sr.
Lucas Smith, Sr.
Hunter Van Meenen, Sr.
Wyatt Wertz, Sr.
Willis Canamore, Jr.
Jameson Ennis, Jr.
Paityn Mann, Jr.
Maddux Musselman, Jr.
Cameron Wagner, Jr.
Brayden Waller, Jr.
Kaden Wedig, Jr.
Liam Carter, So.
Caleb Courter, So.
Landon May, So.
Lane McKinney, So.
Mason Osterbur, So.
Logan Umbarger, So.
Ryder Van Meenen, So.
Owen Wall, So.
Lucas Waters, So.

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VOLLEYBALL

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Emma McKinney, Emerson Williams, Hadley McDonald and members of the SJO volleyball celebrate a point during set one of their regional semifinal match against Unity. Emerson received the team's Offensive Award this fall.

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Team Awards

MIP – Ally Schmitz
Defensive Award – Katie Ericksen
Offensive Award – Emma McKinney
Varsity Spartan Award – Emma Wells
JV Spartan Award – Greta Goldenstein
Freshman Spartan Award – Ella Buhs

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Letterwinners

Addi Childers, Sr.
Katie Ericksen, Sr.
Emma McKinney, Sr.
Ally Schmitz, Sr.
Emma Wells, Sr.
Lily Ahart, Jr.
Brynn Ikemire, Jr.
Alivia Learned, Jr.
Hadley McDonald, Jr.
Addi Stevens, Jr.
Emerson Williams, Jr.
Ava Alexander, So.
Megan Kearney, So.
Atleigh Miller, So.
Vivian Smith, So.
Raegan Wheatley, So.

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TENNIS

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Maddie Wells makes solid contact while play doubles in SJO's road match at Urbana in September. Starting wrestling season last month, look for the senior to qualify for the IHSA girls' state tournament this February.

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Team Awards

MVP – Sami Kelso
MIP – Shelby Warns
Mental Attitude Award – Madison Farber

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Letterwinners

Claire Hartman, Sr.
Samantha Kelso, Sr.
Ava Midkiff, Sr.
Ainsely Rhoton, Sr.
Lily Rice, Sr.
Karleigh Spain, Sr.
Maddie Wells, Sr.
Madison Farber, Jr.
Audrie Helfrich, Jr.
Sophie Schmitz, Jr.
Shelby Warns, Jr.
Avarie Dietiker, So.
Kenley Ray, So.
Nora Buckley, Fr.

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SOCCER

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Junior Yadie Acosta-Reyes dribbles the ball down the field in the Spartans home playoff match against Unity. Look for the midfielder to return next fall to help SJO duplicate their 2025 season greatness.

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Team Awards

MVP – Zach Harper
Offensive Award – Tyler Hess
Defensive Award – Steven Newman
Freshman MIP – Luke Dunn
Coaches Award – Quinn Stahl

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Letterwinners

Rudra Chaudhary, Sr.
Zach Harper, Sr.
Michael McDaniel, Sr.
Branson Pearman, Sr.
Quinn Stahl, Sr.
Hadley Sweet, Sr.
Yadiel Acosta-Reyes, Jr.
Lizzie Clark, Jr.
Jaxson Colvin, Jr.
Skyler Graham, Jr.
Nicholas Harris, Jr.
Tyler Hess, Jr.
Waylon Jones, Jr.
Steven Newman, Jr.
Jaxon Potts, Jr.
Miles Atwood, So.
Hunter Cler, So.
Luke Dunn, Fr.
Lucas Stevens, Fr.
Caleb Taylor, Fr.

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MARCHING BAND

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Emily Bird plays clarinet while performing with the SJO Marchng Band during the halftime show during the football team's home game against Paxton-Buckley-Loda.

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Band Awards

MVP – Sara Bytnar
Up and Comer Award – Ramsay Arnold
Spirit Award – Delaney Nekolny
Leadership Award – Sydney Steinbach
Spinner Award – Arianna Pecchenino
Heartbeat of the Band Award – Gregory Wells

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Letterwinners

Emily Bird, Sr.
Sara Bytnar, Sr.
Claire Hartman, Sr.
Cooper Kietzman, Sr.
Michael McDaniel, Sr.
Patrick McMahon, Sr.
Delaney Nekolny, Sr.
Kaleb Peoples, Sr.
Sydney Steinbach, Sr.
Carlee Taylor, Sr.
Zain Bialeschki-Hua, Jr.
Isabella Turner, Jr.
Cole Beckett, So.
Tyler Bonny, So.
Patrick Clark, So.
Aubrey Matheny, So.
Connor McMahon, So.
Alyssa Robinson, So.
Nayeli Steele, So.
Ramsay Arnold, Fr.
Reid Bewley, Fr.
Bailey Blakley, Fr.
Brady Blunier, Fr.
Jade Gains, Fr.
Arianna Pecchenino, Fr.
August Rosser, Fr.
Ryan Schmitz, Fr.
Taylor Vaughn, Fr.
Greg Wells, Fr.
Gwen Welsh, Fr.

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GOLF

Team Awards

MVP – Asher Pruemer
MIP – Trevor Ames

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Letterwinners

Trevor Ames, Sr.
Wade Clark, Sr.
Nathan Daly, Sr.
Asher Pruemer, Sr.
Graham Ray, Sr.
Devan Swisher, Sr.
Garrett Loschen, Jr.
Finn Miller, Jr.

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SPORT

SIDELINE CHEERLEADING

MIP – Addison Wright
Spirit Award – Abby Reynolds
Lexi Barbour Award – Addison Walsh

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Letterwinners

Iris Davis, Jr.
Leah Gaines, Jr.
Faith Jackson, Jr.
Peighton Riem, Jr.
Ava Smoot, Jr.
Abby Reynolds, So.
Samantha Ryan, So.
Addison Walsh, So.
Sorena Welsh, So.
Presley Ideus, Fr.
Addison Wright, Fr.

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CROSS COUNTRY

Team Awards

Boys MVP – Colin Burnett & Lance Retz
Girls MVP – Grace Bressner
Boys MIP – Sam Zadeh
Girls MIP – Grace Bressner
Tim Mies Effort Award – Nate Farney
Ashley Wright Effort Award – Allie Bott
Rick Walden Most Consistent Award – Colin Burnett

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Letterwinners

Lance Retz, Sr.
Sydney Steinbach, Sr.
Cyrus Zadeh, Sr.
Abby Bello, Jr.
Colin Burnett, Jr.v Nate Farney, Jr.
Kyla Franckey, Jr.
Mark Harbourt, Jr.
Aiden Hundley, Jr.
Kiah Riesel, Jr.
Grace Bressner, So.
Hunter Dilley, So.
Eli Franklin, So.
Nathan Hinkel, So.
Tessa Walker, So.
Sam Zadeh, So.
Ramsay Arnold, Fr.
Charlene Barbee, Fr.
Adam Bello, Fr.
Allie Bott, Fr.
Brady Johnson, Fr.
Caylah Roberts, Fr.
Taylor Vaughn, Fr.

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More SJO Sports Articles

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St Joseph Ogden varsity letter winners 2025, St Joseph Ogden fall sports awards list, SJO football cross country soccer 2025 season, IHSA state cross country St Joseph Ogden results, St Joseph Ogden High School athletics feature

Photo Gallery |St. Joseph-Ogden suffers homecoming loss to Monticello

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The visiting Sages rally in the second half to spoil Spartans' homecoming weekend. Here's 20 photos from Friday night's Week 6 Illini Prairie game.

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First half | The Big Play: Kaden Wedig hauls in a pass on 42-yard touchdown play for St. Joseph-Ogden in Friday night's homecoming game against Monticello. Going up 21-7, it would be the last time the Spartans would be able to put the ball in the end zone. The Sages would go on to score three times in the second half to defeat SJO 28-21 in the Illini Prairie Conference game. After the contest, both teams need just two wins for a guaranteed spot in this year's IHSA football championships. See 19 more photso from this game below.

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Tim Blackburn-Kelley and Willis Canamore break through the Spartan banner during team introductions before the start of the game. Blackburn-Kelley finished the Week 6 game with three catches for 21 yards.

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Brennan Oleynichak lifts quarterback Kodey McKinney to celebrate the Spartans' first TD of the game against the Sages. The senior signal caller scored two of SJO's three touchdowns, finishing the game with 68 rushing and 230 passing yards in the home loss.

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SJO junior Jackson Ennis and Monticello's J.D. Bailey battle on the line of scrimmage in the first half.

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Monticello's Nolan Buehnerkemper finds an open receiver to throw to during first quarter action against the Spartans. After scoring on a 1-yard blast into the end zone with 13 seconds left in the first quarter, he added two more touchdowns to the Sages' side of the scoreboard in the third quarter on runs of 5 and 2-yards.

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Spartans' Coy Hayes tries to get around Sages' Will Osborne to make a tackle during the game.

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Monticello's Maddox Utley takes a handoff from quarterback Nolan Buehnerkemper during second half action against the St. Joseph-Ogden. Utley finished the game with 118 of the Sages' 167 rushing yards to help his team improve to 4-2 on the season.

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Monticello lineman J.D. Bailey celebrates with Nolan Buehnerkemper after the quarterback's touchdown, making the score 21-6 in the first quarter.

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Monticello lineman Nate Darnell tries block St. Joseph-Ogden defensive lineman Liam Carter who was blitzing on the play. Darnell was called for holding moving the ball behind the original line of scrimmage.

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With only one player between him and a touchdown St. Joseph-Ogden's Logan Umbarger carries the ball for a first down in the second quarter. Defensive back Nolan Buehnerkemper made the stop for the Sages. Umbarger, a sophomore, finished the game with 30 yards on seven carries for SJO.

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More about... Kodey McKinney Jackson Ennis Coy HayesLogan Umbarger

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St. Joseph-Ogden High School inducted four new members into their Hall of Fame. This year's inductees honored at halftime included (left to right) Bobbi (Duval) Busboom, Morgan (Finn) Gooding, Bianca (Truitt) Green, and former principal Mike McKenzie.

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A clarinet player from the SJO Marching Band performs during the halftime show.

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Keeping the beat, a St. Joseph-Ogden percussionist stays focused during the halftime performance.

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A marching band flag team member performs during halftime, adding color and precision to the show.

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SJO marching band flag team members add color and excitement during the final song of halftime.

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A St. Joseph-Ogden fan smiles as fans sing the school song with the band after halftime.

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St. Joseph-Ogden football fans and family clap during the school song before the second half.

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Monticello's Maddox Utley losses the ball after running into a wall of Spartan defenders. Maddux Musselman (not pictured) recovered the ball, but officials blew the whistle, ruling the ball dead before it slipped from Utley's grasp.

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Playing on the defensive side of the ball, Spartan Jameson Ennis quickly works his way around Sages' J.D. Bailey while trying to get into the Monticello backfield.

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4th Quarter | The Final Blow: Monticello's Maddox Utley avoids a tackle attempt by Lane McKinney. After slipping away, Utley took the ball 48 yards down the field for the go-ahead, game-winning touchdown with 7:24 left to play in the ball game.

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TAGS: St. Joseph-Ogden football photos, Monticello Sages football, Illini Prairie Conference Week 6, high school football photography, SJO homecoming 2025, Maddox Utley Monticello, Kodey McKinney SJO quarterback, Central Illinois prep football, The Sentinel sports gallery, SJO marching band halftime