St. Joseph-Ogden captured its second consecutive Bomber Classic title with a 7-0 win over Meridian, improving to 9-0 this season.
Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks
ARGENTA - For the second consecutive year, the St. Joseph-Ogden boys soccer team captured the Bomber Classic title at Argenta High School, rolling to a 7-0 victory over Meridian High School on Saturday. The win pushed the Spartans to 9-0 on the season, continuing a remarkable stretch in which SJO has won 31 of its last 35 contests. Led by striker Zach Harper, St. Joseph-Ogden has been nearly unstoppable offensively this season, scoring at least seven goals in every match. A talented supporting cast feeding Harper the ball has made the Spartans a difficult team to contain. The team carried that intensity throughout the Bomber Classic, leaving little doubt about their dominance.
SJO’s championship performance featured five goals in the first half. Harper scored three times and added an assist, while Tyler Hess contributed two goals with one assist. Lucas Stevens provided two assists, and Hunter Cler added one. Harper completed his four-goal performance with a second-half goal off a feed from Hess.
The tournament victory followed an earlier 7-0 win over Decatur MacArthur on September 4. Harper scored three goals and Hess added two. Lucas Stevens had a goal and two assists, Hunter Cler contributed one assist, Miles Atwood added a goal, and goalkeeper Quinn Stahl recorded one save in the shutout. SJO also received a forfeit win from Mt. Pulaski/Hartsburg-Emden, who withdrew prior to the tournament’s start.
SJO vs MacArthur
In their tournament opener against MacArthur, St. Joseph-Ogden displayed the same offensive precision that has defined their 2025 campaign. The Spartans took control early, using sharp passing and well-timed runs to create scoring opportunities. Harper, as usual, was central to the attack, with Hess and Stevens connecting on multiple chances to keep the General's on their heels. Harper finished with three goals, Hess with two, and Stevens adding icing on the cake with solo strike. Defensively, SJO limited MacArthur’s opportunities, maintaining pressure in midfield and cutting off clear passing lanes. Goalkeeper Quinn Stahl made key saves to keep the shutout intact while the Spartans hammered away at extending their lead. The team’s discipline and cohesion on both sides of the ball showcased why SJO has been able to maintain such a dominant record this season. Demonstrating both offensive firepower and defensive stability, the Spartans’ unbeaten streak continues for another week into the season.On the dockett this week
The Spartans will return to Dick Duval Field this week for two matches. They host Fisher/Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, a team they tied once during last year’s season. On Saturday, SJO will welcome Bismarck-Henning-Rossville-Alvin for a non-conference showdown.Match Stats: St. Joseph-Ogden vs Meridian High School
Final Score: 7-0Scoring:
Zach Harper (unassisted)
Zach Harper (assist: Hunter Cler)
Tyler Hess (assist: Zach Harper)
Tyler Hess (assist: Lucas Stevens)
Zach Harper (assist: Lucas Stevens)
Second half:
Zach Harper (assist: Tyler Hess)
Stat Leaders:
Zach Harper — 4 goals, 1 assist
Tyler Hess — 2 goals, 1 assist
Lucas Stevens — 2 assists
Hunter Cler — 1 assist
Match Stats: SJO vs Decatur MacArthur
Final Score: 7-0Scoring:
Lucas Stevens (unassisted)
Zach Harper (unassisted)
Zach Harper (unassisted)
Second half:
Zach Harper (assist: Hunter Cler)
Miles Atwood (assist: Lucas Stevens)
Tyler Hess (assist: Lucas Stevens)
Tyler Hess (unassisted)
Stat Leaders:
Tyler Hess — 2 goals
Zach Harper — 3 goals
Lucas Stevens — 1 goal, 2 assists
Hunter Cler — 1 assist
Miles Atwood — 1 goal
Quinn Stahl — 1 save
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