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



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.


Kaden Wedig hauls in a touchdown pass for St. Joseph-Ogden.

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.


Tim Blackburn-Kelley and Willis Canamore break through the Spartan banner.

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.


Brennan Oleynichak lifts Kodey McKinney to celebrate a TD.

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.


Jackson Ennis and J.D. Bailey battle on the line.

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


Nolan Buehnerkemper throws to an open receiver.

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.


Coy Hayes attempts a tackle.

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


Maddox Utley takes a handoff.

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.


J.D. Bailey celebrates with Nolan Buehnerkemper.

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


Nate Darnell blocks a defensive lineman.

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.


Logan Umbarger runs for a first down.

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.



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


SJO Hall of Fame inductees.

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.


SJO Marching Band clarinet player.

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


SJO percussionist at halftime.

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


Marching band flag team member.

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


SJO flag team at halftime.

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


Fan singing with band.

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


Fans clap during school song.

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


Maddox Utley loses the ball.

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.


Spartan Jameson Ennis quickly works his way into the backfield

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.


Maddox Utley avoids a tackle

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.



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

Week 6 Illini Prairie Conference football predictions, pick this week's winners


St. Joseph-Ogden's Logan Umbarger
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

St. Joseph-Ogden's Logan Umbarger tries to shed a Paxton-Buckley-Loda tackler during the game in early September. Stepping in for an injured Wyatt Wertz, the sophomore had 15 touches good for 44 yards and one touchdown. Can Monticello contain the Spartans' rising star in this week's homecoming game at Dick Duval Field?

Just three more weeks of regular season football to go. Submit your picks for this week's Friday Night Forecast and see how your calls stack up against other Illini Prairie Conference football fans. Drop back by OurSentinel.com Friday morning to see which teams are predicted to win as they work to qualify for this year's state football playoffs.



Week 5 Scores

Central Catholic 41, Monticello 13
Tuscola 20, Paxton-Buckley-Loda 14
Prairie Central 20, IVC 14
St. Joseph-Ogden 56, Rantoul 21
Unity 47, Pontiac 7


Week 5 Results

Rank Name Record Notes
1 Brooks Look 5-0 Week 4 winner
2 Frank 4-1 Tie-Break**
3 Denise 4-1 Tie-Break*
4 Alan 4-1 Tie-Break
5 J 3-2
6 Sara 3-2
7 Lyman 3-2

Cumulative Standings (After Week 5)

Rank Name Total Record Wins Notes
1 Brooks Look 21-4 2 Week 2 & 5 winner
2 Denise 18-7 0
3 Alan 17-8 0
4 J 16-4 2 Week 1 & 4 winner
4 Sara 14-6 1 Week 3 winner
7 Lyman 10-5 0
6 Frank 4-1 0
7 Keith 3-2 0


St. Joseph-Ogden 2024-25 second quarter Honor Roll


ST. JOSEPH - At the end of October, St. Joseph-Ogden High School announced the recipients of the first quarter Honor Roll and High Honor Roll. To be recognized on the Honor Roll at SJO, students must achieve a grade point average (GPA) of 3.25 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Those with a GPA exceeding 3.74 are honored as High Honor Roll students.


Freshman Honor Roll

Ava Alexander
Lucas Barton
Coleton Beckett
Draven Black
Liam Carter
Carly Coffey
Tessa Cox
Hunter Dilley
Jameson Ehler
Brandon Grindley
George Hale
Holden Hausle
Kellyn Irwin
Isabel Kates
Addison Knight
Keira Landers
Avery Lappin
Leigha Larson
Pete Martin
Aubrey Matheny
Aiden McBride
Atleigh Miller
Michaela Morrison
Alyssa Osterbur
Cameron Palmisano
Lyla Patton
Miranda Perkins
Leah Pruitt
Averie Puckett
Gage Ramm
Isaiah Reynolds
Keegan Roberts
Samantha Ryan
Jaylin Seal
Alexis Smith
Marissa Smith
Dalton Trotter
Logan Umbarger
Ryder Van Meenen
Viviene Vliet
Tessa Walker
Benjamin Wells

Sophomore Honor Roll

Samuel Albrecht
Andrew Bourland
Alec Bowlin
Willis Canamore
Nickolas Ditchfield
Justin Downs
Jackson Glasa
Morgan Huls
Garrett Loschen
Adam Marschke
Steven Newman
Tripp Palmer
Peighton Reim
Ava Smoot
Cameron Wagner
Cameron Wright
William Yeazel
Dalton York

Junior Honor Roll

Isabella Brooks
Shelby Campbell
Cade Crozier
Jeffrey Gossett
Coy Hayes
Justice Heidel
Bryson Houchens
Nick Jackson
Jordan Johnson
Malachy Kates
Kylan Kincaid
Taylor Maddock
Vance McComas
Ava Midkiff
Grace Preston
Graham Ray
Lance Retz
Ethan Sanders
Trevor Sexton
Landon Smith
Luke Tranel
Hunter Van Meenen
Emma Wells

Senior Honor Roll

Alex Acosta-Reyes
Rylie Barton
William Besson
Eli Birt
Miles Birt
Chaz Bowlin
Hayden Coffey
Joshua Courter
Aerolyn Davenport
Nolan Earley
Lyla Frerichs
Joe Griebat
Mason Guido
Brodie Harms
Tinley Ideus
Kendrick Johnson
Quincy Jones
Owen Knap
Aiden Krall
Logan Lackey
Madison Lankster
Logan Patton
Hailie Reifsteck
Sydney Reitmeier
Carson Sarnecki
Ava Seggebruch
Thea Smith
Carter Turner
Jackson Walsh
Isabelle Wiese
Alexis Wirth
Ava Worley
Merial Yeager

Here are the recipients from St. Joseph-Ogden's first quarter High Honor and Honor Roll.



St. Joseph-Ogden High School 2024 First Quarter Honor Roll


ST. JOSEPH - At the end of October, St. Joseph-Ogden High School announced the recipients of the first quarter Honor Roll and High Honor Roll. To be recognized on the Honor Roll at SJO, students must achieve a grade point average (GPA) of 3.25 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Those with a GPA exceeding 3.74 are honored as High Honor Roll students.


Freshman Honor Roll

Ava Alexander
Miles Atwood
Lucas Barton
Coleton Beckett
Draven Black
Evan Brown
Liam Carter
Caleb Courter
Emily Cross
Hunter Dilley
Jameson Ehler
Casen Goff
Jackson Good
George Hale
Holden Hausle
Averie Helfrich
Keira Landers
Leigha Larson
Pete Martin
Aubrey Matheny
Wyatt McKinney
Atleigh Miller
Michaela Morrison
Cameron Palmisano
Averie Puckett
Isaiah Reynolds
Mitch Riesel
Keegan Roberts
Samantha Ryan
Dalton Trotter
Logan Umbarger
Ryder Van Meenen
Henrik Vander Zalm
Tessa Walker
Lexi Williams
Ian Wolken

Sophomore Honor Roll

Yadiel Acosta-Reyes
Samuel Albrecht
Olivia Berlatsky
Alec Bowlin
Willis Canamore
Brenda Castro Gutierrez
Jaxson Colvin
Jameson Ennis
Mary Evans-Baker
Elijah Garrett
Aiden Hundley
Faith Jackson
Jaxson LaBounty
Garrett Loschen
Adam Marschke
Steven Newman
Mason Olinger
Tripp Palmer
William Ricketts-Royer
Ava Smoot
Lilly Sollars
Cameron Wagner
Shelby Warns
Kaden Wedig
Dalton York

Junior Honor Roll

McKenzie Atwood
Shelby Campbell
Wade Clark
Cade Crozier
Caleb Dwyer
Zachary Harper
Coy Hayes
Justice Heidel
Bryson Houchens
Amelia Huckstadt
Nick Jackson
Malachy Kates
Vance McComas
Emma McKinney
Ava Midkiff
Graham Ray
Lance Retz
Ainsley Rhoton
Ethan Sanders
Trevor Sexton
Gracyn Sjoken
Landon Smith
Lucas Smith
Luke Tranel
Lucas Truong
Hunter Van Meenen
Emma Wells

Senior Honor Roll

Jared Altenbaumer
James Barron
Rylie Barton
William Besson
Eli Birt
Sul Bonny
Chaz Bowlin
Landen Butts
Nolan Earley
Lyla Frerichs
Addison Funk
Tinley Ideus
Kendrick Johnson
Dylan Jones
Quincy Jones
Amilliya Kindle
Owen Knap
Aiden Krall
Logan Lackey
Madison Lankster
Gabe Mata
Brenden Maury
Logan Patton
Hailie Reifsteck
Sydney Reitmeier
Carson Sarnecki
Samuel Shonkwiler
Thea Smith
Collin Thomey
Jackson Walsh
Ava Worley
Merial Yeager

Subscribe St. Joe-Ogden Athletics

166 make 2nd quarter High Honor Roll at SJO


Yesterday, St. Joseph-Ogden High School announced the school's second quarter honor roll receipents. This quarter, 166 students earned High Honor Roll recognition for their academic efforts. Forty-five students in both the sophomore and junior classes secured a GPA above the requisite 3.74.

An additional 77 students who earned grade point average of 3.25 or higher on the school's 4.0 scale also made the honor roll.

High Honor Roll

Freshmen

Sophomores

Juniors

Senior

Honor Roll

Freshmen

Sophomores

Juniors

Seniors


St. Joseph-Ogden announces 1st quarter Honor Roll


St. Joseph-Ogden High School Honor Roll
Today, St. Joseph-Ogden High School announced its first quarter Honor Roll. One hundred and fifty-seven students earned High Honor Roll recognition for their academic efforts in the first quarter of the 2020-21 school year. The junior class led the way with 43 students who secured GPA above 3.74.

Despite the challenges of hybrid schooling, 239 students started the fall semester with a grade point average of 3.25 or higher on the school's 4.0 scale.

High Honor Roll

Freshmen

Sophomores

Juniors

Senior

Honor Roll

Freshmen

Sophomores

Juniors

Seniors


After Spartans stun Benton, it's on to face Roxana in second-round redux


In a thrilling finish, senior Lucas Smith drilled a 43-yard field goal as time expired to lift St. Joseph-Ogden over previously undefeated Benton. Quarterback Kodey McKinney threw for 194 yards and a touchdown to lead SJO’s offense. The Spartans now head to Roxana for their second-round playoff game.


SJO's Lucas Smith kicks a PAT
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

St. Joseph-Ogden kicker Lucas Smith kicks a PAT in the Spartans' road game against Bloomington Central Catholic back in October. The senior's 4th quarter heroics propelled SJO into a second-round playoff game at Roxana.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Lucas Smith watches his kick against Pontiac.
SNS - Before the bus even pulled out of St. Joseph last Saturday, there was a question hanging in the air — could the Spartans win a playoff game without a true field goal kicker? Turns out, the answer was waiting three hours south in Benton, on the right foot of senior Lucas Smith. With the score tied and the clock drained to its final second, Smith’s 43-yard field goal cut through the wind and through Benton’s perfect record, sending St. Joseph-Ogden home with a 17-14 upset over the third-seeded Rangers.

For three quarters, it looked like the Spartans had found their stride at exactly the right time. Senior quarterback Kodey McKinney led a crisp opening drive, finishing with a 46-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Kaden Wedig. Late in the second quarter, senior running back Wyatt Wertz muscled through the Benton defense for a three-yard score, giving SJO a 14-0 halftime lead. But Benton, who came in averaging over 40 points per game, wasn’t going to stay silent. Two fourth-quarter touchdowns evened the score and tightened the crowd’s pulse — setting up Smith’s defining moment.

The story of the game, though, may have been SJO’s defense. Benton’s offense, which had racked up 418 points during the regular season, was bottled up for most of the day. The Spartans allowed just 14 points and forced the Rangers to work for every yard on their 62 offensive plays. Logan Rosenthal and sophomore Logan Umbarger each finished with seven tackles, while Brayden Waller and Lane McKinney helped anchor a defense that collected five tackles for loss — a season high.


Landon Smith blocks on defense in SJO's Pontiac home game
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Landon Smith (right) is blocked by a Pontiac offensive lineman. Not afraid of contact, the senior's physicality and confidence has grown since the start of the season, making him a valuable asset on defense.

McKinney finished with a steady hand under pressure, completing 16 of 19 passes for 194 yards. Wedig was his top target, pulling in 10 catches for 169 yards, while Tim Blackburn-Kelley added three more receptions. On the ground, Wertz and McKinney each chipped in 36 rushing yards, helping chew the clock and keep the Benton defense guessing.

Now, the Spartans (7-3) head into the second round with momentum and belief. They’ll travel to Roxana (7-3) for a Saturday afternoon showdown at 2 p.m. The matchup is a reunion of sorts — the two programs last met in the postseason two years ago, a 48-47 shootout that ended with Roxana on top. The Shells rely on a deep backfield led by sophomore Mekhi Shorter, who has topped 100 yards three times this season, and wideout Sean Maberry, who has a knack for turning receptions into touchdowns.

But this Roxana team hasn’t faced the kind of gauntlet SJO just survived. Every team that beat the Spartans this year — Unity, Monticello, Bloomington Central Catholic and Seneca — is still alive in the playoffs. All four Illini Prairie Conference qualifiers won their openers, strengthening the argument that no one in Class 3A is more battle-tested than SJO.

If the Spartans can push past Roxana, they’ll earn a quarterfinal matchup against either Vandalia or Greenville — and, for the first time this postseason, a playoff game at Dick Duval Field.


SJO's Will Franklin moves to make a tackle
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

SJO's Will Franklin plays defense for the Spartans in their road game at Bloomington Central Catholic.




TAGS: St. Joseph-Ogden football playoff win, Lucas Smith field goal, Roxana Shells vs Spartans, IHSA Class 3A playoffs, Illinois high school football news


St. Joseph-Ogden third quarter Honor Roll


St. Joseph-Ogden Honor Roll for winter 2025 ST. JOSEPH - Last month, St. Joseph-Ogden High School announced the recipients of the third quarter Honor Roll and High Honor Roll. To be recognized on the Honor Roll at SJO, students must achieve a grade point average (GPA) of 3.25 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Those with a GPA exceeding 3.74 are honored as High Honor Roll students.


Freshman Honor Roll

Miles Atwood
Coleton Beckett
Evan Brown
Liam Carter
Hunter Cler
Caleb Courter
Emily Cross
Hunter Dilley
Casen Goff
George Hale
Leigha Larson
Gavin Little
Maddyx Martin
Pete Martin
Aubrey Matheny
Aiden McBride
Atleigh Miller
Hannah Nirider
Alyssa Osterbur
Lyla Patton
Leah Pruitt
Averie Puckett
Gage Ramm
Mitch Riesel
Keegan Roberts
Samantha Ryan
Marissa Smith
Addisyn Son
Dalton Trotter
Hunter Uher
Logan Umbarger
Zoe Valentine
Addison Walsh
Benjamin Wells
Sorena Welsh

Sophomore Honor Roll

Yadiel Acosta-Reyes
Samuel Albrecht
Andrew Bourland
Alec Bowlin
Willis Canamore
Jaxson Colvin
Nickolas Ditchfield
Justin Downs
Audrie Helfrich
Morgan Huls
Faith Jackson
Waylon Jones
Garrett Loschen
Tripp Palmer
Peighton Reim
William Ricketts-Royer
Lilly Sollars
Alex Vaughn
Cameron Wagner
Shelby Warns
Kaden Wedig
Cameron Wright

Junior Honor Roll

Trevor Ames
Shelby Campbell
Jacob Carlson
Cade Crozier
Caleb Dwyer
Justice Heidel
Bryanna Hood
Bryson Houchens
Amelia Huckstadt
Malachy Kates
Kylan Kincaid
Vance McComas
Emma McKinney
Garrick Page
Graham Ray
Lance Retz
Ethan Sanders
Landon Smith
Lucas Smith
Quinn Stahl
Lucas Truong
Emma Wells

Senior Honor Roll

Alex Acosta-Reyes
Jared Altenbaumer
Rylie Barton
Audrey Benoit
William Besson
Eli Birt
Macie Blakley
Landen Butts
Madison Clampitt
Hayden Coffey
Joshua Courter
Aerolyn Davenport
Lauren Dewese
Savanna Dittman
Nolan Earley
Lyla Frerichs
Joe Griebat
Mason Guido
Brodie Harms
Kendrick Johnson
Quincy Jones
Aiden Krall
Gabriel Mata
Logan Patton
Haley Rudolph
Samuel Shonkwiler
Corbin Smith
Thea Smith
Collin Thomey
Carter Turner
Reese Wheatley
Isabelle Wiese
Ava Worley
Merial Yeager

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