Hess’ hat trick powers SJO past Oakwood in season opener

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Spartans open 2025-26 with a big road win at Oakwood. Hess leads the charge with a hat trick.

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OAKWOOD -St. Joseph-Ogden’s boys soccer team wasted no time showing its firepower, striking for seven goals in a 7-3 road win over Oakwood on Thursday to begin the 2025-26 season. The Spartans flipped the script from a year ago, when the Comets handed them a 5-1 defeat in the same matchup to open the season.

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Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Steven Newman returns to the Spartan lineup in 2025. The junior scored a goal in SJO's first game of the season, avenging last year's 5-1 loss to the Comets.

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Senior forward Tyler Hess delivered a standout performance with three goals and an assist, sparking an offense that spread the scoring responsibilities across the lineup.

Four other Spartans added goals of their own. Steven Newman, Hunter Cler, Zach Harper, and Skyler Graham each found the net, while Harper and Graham also earned assists. Midfielder Lucas “Buddy” Stevens orchestrated the attack with three assists, setting up his teammates in key moments.

The win comes at the start of a grueling run, with SJO scheduled to play five matches in the first six days of the season. The Spartans visit Hoopeston Area on Friday before hosting Iroquois West on Saturday at Dick Duval Field.

SJO enters the season looking to build on last year’s strong campaign. After a slow start in 2024, the Spartans rattled off 18 wins and a tie before falling in the sectional semifinals to eventual Class 1A state champion Normal University. They finished with a 22-3-1 record, cementing themselves among the area’s top programs.

This fall’s lineup is anchored by returning seniors Quinn Stahl, Branson Pearman, and Harper, with fellow seniors Hadley Sweet, Michael McDaniel, and Rudra Chaudhory providing additional leadership and depth.

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Upcoming SJO Matches

• Fri, Aug. 29, 2025 – 4:30 p.m. at Hoopeston Area High School
• Sat, Aug. 30, 2025 – 10:00 a.m. vs. Iroquois West High School at Dick Duval Field

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TAGS: St. Joseph-Ogden boys soccer 2025 season opener, Tyler Hess hat trick vs Oakwood soccer, IHSA Class 1A boys soccer sectional contenders, St. Joseph-Ogden Spartans upcoming soccer schedule, Illinois high school soccer early season matchups

St. Joseph-Ogden dominates again! Spartan soccer team wins first regional title in 12 years

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Zach Harper sets up a pass in St. Joseph-Ogden's home match against Central Catholic on October 1. Harper led the Spartans with another hat trick in their long awaited - and expected - regional title.

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ST. ANNE - St. Joseph-Ogden captured its first regional soccer title in over a decade with a commanding 7-2 victory over Watseka on Wednesday, clinching the St. Anne Regional Championship. The Spartans, who hadn’t tasted postseason success since 2012, are in the midst of a remarkable season, improving their record to 22-2-1 and extending their current win streak to 15 games.

The Spartans displayed their balanced offensive attack once again, led by Zach Harper, who scored a hat trick and added an assist. Harper’s relentless playmaking has been a cornerstone of St. Joseph-Ogden’s dominance this season, and his performance against Watseka proved vital. Yadi Acosta contributed two goals to the Spartans' cause, while Alex Acosta and Tyler Hess each added a goal, with Hess also registering an assist. Logan Mills played the role of facilitator with two assists, and goalkeeper Jaxson Colvin made seven saves on nine shots to anchor the defense.

Despite Watseka's spirited effort in the first half, which saw them score two goals, the Spartans carried a 3-2 lead into halftime. St. Joseph-Ogden’s ability to control possession and create opportunities through its well-organized midfield and clinical finishing proved too much for Watseka to handle. The second half was all Spartans, as they rattled off four unanswered goals to seal the victory.

Tyler Hess attacks the Central Catholic goal looking for a solo shot or open teammate to send the ball. Hess, who is a quiet force behind SJO's dominant offense, scored one goal and notched an assist in his team's first regional title in 12 years.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

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Watseka, who struggled against St. Joseph-Ogden in their previous meeting earlier this month—an 8-0 shutout—fought valiantly to stay within striking distance in the first half. However, they were ultimately overwhelmed by the Spartans’ tactical adjustments and superior depth. Wednesday’s match marked St. Joseph-Ogden’s 15th consecutive win, a streak bolstered by 14 shutouts throughout the season.

As the final whistle blew, the Spartans celebrated their long-awaited regional title, a moment that seemed increasingly likely as they breezed through the Illini Prairie Conference without dropping a match. Now, with a regional championship under their belts, St. Joseph-Ogden turns its attention to the Monticello Class 1A sectional semifinals, where they will face a formidable opponent in Normal University.

The Spartans' upcoming match against Normal University will be a significant test. The Pioneers, with a 20-5-1 record, finished the regular season with an undefeated 7-0-1 mark in the highly competitive Central State Eight Conference. They boast wins over Sacred Heart Griffin, Quincy Notre Dame, and all five Big Twelve Conference schools on their schedule. Known for their defensive discipline and midfield control, Normal University will pose a unique challenge for St. Joseph-Ogden, whose high-powered offense has made quick work of most opponents this season.

Saturday’s clash at noon will not only test St. Joseph-Ogden’s ability to maintain their scoring prowess but also how they manage against a team with the caliber of Normal University’s defense. While the Spartans have largely been dominant, outscoring opponents by wide margins, Normal University’s balanced approach could force them to adapt their strategy. The Spartans' success may hinge on their ability to break down a defense that has held its own against some of the state’s top programs.

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Steven Newman keeps the ball away from two Blue Ridge players during SJO's home match on September 16. Newman, a sophomore, and the Spartans made quick work of the Knights in the 9-0 shutout.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

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With the Spartans riding high on confidence and momentum, the stage is set for an intense matchup that could determine the trajectory of St. Joseph-Ogden’s playoff run. As they seek their first sectional title since their 2012 campaign, the Spartans will need to rely on the consistency and leadership of players like Harper, the Acosta brothers, and Hess, who have been key contributors throughout the season.

For a team that has consistently found the back of the net and controlled matches with superior tactics, St. Joseph-Ogden’s success against Normal University will likely depend on whether they can replicate the offensive precision that has been their hallmark. If they continue to perform at this level, the Spartans could very well extend their remarkable season even further.

St. Joseph-Ogden’s triumph over Watseka represents not only the end of a long postseason drought but also the beginning of a promising path deeper into the playoffs. With a talented roster and a winning mentality, the Spartans look poised to make a serious run at a state title.

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Keywords: St. Joseph-Ogden soccer regional championship, SJO vs Watseka soccer, Illinois Class 1A sectional soccer, St. Joseph-Ogden high school soccer, Normal University vs SJO soccer playoff

Harper, Cler shine as St. Joseph-Ogden soccer stays perfect at 12-0

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The Spartans are ranked No. 1 in Illinois Class 1A for the first time. Their 12-0 season has featured 10 shutouts and an 82-6 scoring margin.

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FARMER CITY - The moment was years in the making, and St. Joseph-Ogden made sure to rise to it. For the first time in program history, when the Spartans stepped onto the field this week, they did so as the No. 1 ranked team in Illinois Class 1A boys soccer. Highly deserving of the recognition, SJO's domination on the pitch continued with a win over Blue Ridge yesterday.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Looking to send the ball to an open teammate, Spartans' Buddy Stevens keeps the ball away from Urbana University's Jax Taylor during his team's home match in August. This week, St. Joseph-Ogden plays grueling five-match schedule from the top of the Class 1A rankings.

Behind four goals from junior Zach Harper and a hat trick from Hunter Cler, SJO powered past Knights 9-0 on the road, stretching their unbeaten season to 12-0 and keeping their storybook run alive.

Harper got down to business early, connecting twice in the first half on pinpoint feeds from midfielder Tyler Hess, who finished with four assists. Harper also turned provider, setting up goals for Cler and freshman Ainsley Freeman, who celebrated her first varsity score.

Cler went on to complete his hat trick, while the Spartans also benefited from a Hoopeston own goal. By the final horn, SJO’s relentless attack had overwhelmed the Knights, keeping their defensive dominance intact with a 10th shutout of the year.

"Steven Newman & Waylon Jones (Batman & Robin) are the dynamic duo on the back line," head coach Chris Stevens said. "Yadi Acosta holds down the middle and Lucas Stevens is up top looking to score or assist his teammates."

Jones and Newman are juniors, which means SJO's soccer program will simply reload in 2026.

The Spartans have now outscored opponents 82-6 this season, their No. 1 state ranking underscoring a rapid rise built on depth and determination. SJO also holds the No. 479 spot nationally, ranked ahead of Chicago Academy and Coal City in Illinois 1A. Since the start of 2022, the program has won 51 matches against just 11 losses, a turnaround that has placed the school the map, mirroring the school's storied football program.

Stevens said three attributes define this year’s roster: discipline, determination, and unselfishness. "They have set big team goals for postseason and want to see them through," he said. "[Every] player, seniors through freshman, want everyone to succeed. This is a cohesive group of players and it’s a privilege to be a part of this journey with them."

Now, the focus shifts to Illini Prairie Conference play. The Spartans host Monticello (4-7-1) today before a quick two-game road swing to Olympia on Wednesday and Bloomington Central Catholic on Thursday. After a short rest, they’ll return home to face Illinois Valley Central Saturday morning — all with their new No. 1 target on their backs.

Scoring Summary

• Zach Harper (assist: Tyler Hess)
• Hunter Cler (assist: Zach Harper)
• Ainsley Freeman (assist: Zach Harper)
• Own Goal (Hoopeston)
• Zach Harper (assist: Tyler Hess)
• Hunter Cler (unassisted)
• Zach Harper (assist: Tyler Hess)
• Zach Harper (assist: Tyler Hess)
• Hunter Cler (penalty kick)

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St. Joseph-Ogden soccer unbeaten season, Illinois Class 1A soccer rankings, Zach Harper SJO soccer highlights, Hunter Cler hat trick SJO, SJO Blue Ridge soccer recap

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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.

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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

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

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Other articles ~

• SJO wrestling wins home match over BHRA, Getty and four others shine
• Despite earlier milestones, Spartans soccer season ends with loss to Pioneers
• Outlasting a talented Tri-Valley squad, SJO basketball advances to State Farm tournament quarterfinals

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St. Joseph-Ogden High School 2025 First Quarter Honor Roll

ST. JOSEPH - Earlier this week, 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.

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Freshman Honor Roll

Ramsay Arnold
Henry Beeler
Asher Bell
Adam Bello
Bailey Blakley
Jaxon Blunier
Nora Buckley
Ava Buhr
Logan Crider
Dorian Davenport
Sophia Douglas
Aiden Eldridge
Ainsley Freeman
Madelyn Garrett
Isaac Hernandez
Weston Hubbard
Madison Huls
Allison Marschke
Colton McCartney
Ethan McGinnis
Gavin Midkiff
Hope Murphy
Emma O'Herron
Ava Price
Brylee Ramm
Charles Ray
Kiptyn Rosenthal
Jasper Snyder
Lucas Stevens
Brendan Sussen
Gage Tranel
Logan Wedig
Gregory Wells
Guinevere Welsh
Emma Wilson
Savannah Wirth
Addison Wright
Candice Wright

Sophomore Honor Roll

Audrey Barber
Lucas Barton
Coleton Beckett
Draven Black
Donaven Bohlen
Evan Brown
Liam Carter
Carly Coffey
Tessa Cox
Emily Cross
Casen Goff
Jackson Good
Brandon Grindley
George Hale
Nity James
Isabel Kates
Leigha Larson
Pete Martin
Aubrey Matheny
Aiden McBride
Atleigh Miller
Leah Pruitt
Averie Puckett
Gage Ramm
Keagan Reed
Mitch Riesel
Keegan Roberts
Samantha Ryan
Dalton Trotter
Ryder Van Meenen
Jacob Walker
Addison Walsh
Benjamin Wells
Sorena Welsh
Amari Wheeler
Lexi Williams

Junior Honor Roll

Yadiel Acosta-Reyes
Samuel Albrecht
Olivia Berlatsky
Willis Canamore
Jaxson Colvin
Justin Downs
Elijah Garrett
Morgan Huls
Jaydon Lewis
Garrett Loschen
Hadley McDonald
Steven Newman
Mason Olinger
Tripp Palmer
Jaxon Potts
William Ricketts-Royer
Haylee Shaffer
Cameron Wagner
Shelby Warns
Dalton York

Senior Honor Roll

Trevor Ames
DeAva Barnett
Timera Blackburn-Kelley
Shelby Campbell
Cade Crozier
Caleb Dwyer
Parker Fitch
Jeffrey Gossett
William Haley
Zachary Harper
Coy Hayes
Justice Heidel
Bryson Houchens
Nicholas Jackson
Sophia Kasper
Cooper Kietzman
Vance McComas
Graham Ray
Lance Retz
Logan Rosenthal
Ethan Sanders
Trevor Sexton
Quinn Stahl
Devan Swisher
Lucas Truong
Hayden Utley
Hunter Van Meenen

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Despite earlier milestones, Spartans soccer season ends with loss to Pioneers

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

Exhausted and heartbroken, junior Zach Harper (standing) and senior Logan Mills take a moment to regain their composure after Spartans' season-ending loss to Normal U-High at the Monticello Sectional on Saturday.

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MONTICELLO - St. Joseph-Ogden’s remarkable soccer season came to a close on Saturday as they fell 6-0 to Normal University High School in the sectional semifinal at Monticello’s soccer complex. The Spartans, who had been dominant throughout the season, were held scoreless for the first time all year in a tough matchup against the defending Class 1A state runner-up.

The loss marked only the Spartans' third defeat of the season, finishing with a 22-3-1 record. Despite the disappointment, SJO can look back on a historic campaign, having scored 172 goals this season, more than any other team in Illinois High School Association (IHSA) history, regardless of class. The Spartans also set a program record with 22 wins, showcasing the team’s growth and offensive prowess.

Coming into the sectional semifinal on the back of a five-game winning streak, where they outscored opponents 45-5, the Spartans had every reason to be confident. However, U-High’s precision and disciplined play proved too much to handle. The Pioneers, now 21-5-1, displayed their experience and senior leadership, especially in the first half, where they quickly established control of the match by scoring four goals.

U-High’s defense was equally impressive. Known for their tight formations and tactical discipline, the Pioneers managed to stifle SJO’s high-powered offense throughout the game. The Spartans, who had averaged nine goals per match in their previous five games, struggled to create meaningful chances. Normal’s defense consistently denied the Spartans any scoring opportunities, particularly during the first 28 minutes of the second half when SJO was desperately searching for a breakthrough.

The Spartans’ best opportunity came late in the match when Zach Harper broke free of U-High’s defensive line with just over five minutes left. Harper’s one-on-one chance against Pioneer goalkeeper Noah Grieshaber could have ended SJO’s scoring drought, but Grieshaber came up with a crucial stop, preserving the shutout and sealing the Pioneers’ victory.

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Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

St. Joseph-Ogden's Logan Mills tries to dribble the ball around Normal University's Bryce Nicolas-Penn (right) and Connor Evans during the first half.

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Normal U-High’s balanced performance, marked by precise passing and organized teamwork, propelled them into the sectional final. They will face Fisher-GCMS (20-3-1) on Tuesday in what promises to be a highly competitive match.

For St. Joseph-Ogden, Saturday’s defeat brought an end to a memorable season. Led by seniors like Alexis Acosta Reyes, Carter Turner, and Logan Mills, the Spartans will be remembered for their record-breaking offensive achievements and their resilience throughout the year. In head coach Chris Stevens’ second term, the Spartans compiled an impressive 36-11-1 record over two seasons, cementing their status as one of the top programs in Class 1A.

As the Spartans reflect on a year filled with highlights, including three more wins than any previous team in program history, the foundation is in place for a successful campaign in 2025. With underclassmen like Harper and sophomore goalkeeper Jaxson Colvin set to return next season, the future remains bright for St. Joseph-Ogden soccer.

This year's team seniors included Alexis Acosta Reyes, Carson Sharp, Carter Turner, Davin Alvarez, Eli Birt, Logan Mills, Logan Patton, and Will Besson. Juniors on the squad included Branson Pearman, Rudra Chaudhary, Chris Coffey, Cooper Kietzman, Quinn Stahl, and Zach Harper. Jaxson Colvin, Nicholas Harris, Skyler Graham, Steven Newman, Tyler Hess, Waylon Jones, and Yadiel Acosta Reyes made up the sophomore class, with Hunter Cler as the only freshman on this year's varsity squad.

Stevens was assisted this season by Dan Ahart and Marcus Harris.

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Keywords: St. Joseph-Ogden soccer sectional semifinal, SJO vs Normal U-High soccer playoff Illinois high school soccer Class 1A, Normal University High soccer win over SJO, IHSA soccer playoff results 2023, SJO soccer record-breaking season

St. Joseph-Ogden 3rd Quarter Honor Roll

ST. JOSEPH - Last week, St. Joseph-Ogden High School announced the third-quarter Honor Roll and High Honor Roll recipients. Over 270 students at the high school earned third-quarter Honor Roll recognition.

To make the honor roll at SJO, students must earn a grade point average of 3.25 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Students whose GPA soared above 3.74 are recognized as High Honor Roll students.

Freshman High Honor Roll

Lillian Ahart
Samuel Albrecht
Zhou Barbee
Zachary Benoit
Colin Burnett
Elizabeth Clark
Abigail Crider
Hayden Dahl
Iris Davis
Nick Ditchfield
Madison Farber
Nathaniel Farney
Nolan Franzen
Leah Gaines
Skyler Graham
Anna Hammond
Mark Harbourt
Nicholas Harris
Tyler Hess
Maggie Hewkin
Brynn Ikemire
Mia Jones
Alivia Learned
Chase Mabry
Hadley McDonald
Finnegan Miller
Maddux Musselman
Mason Ramm
Peighton Reim
Kiah Riesel
Dennis Rineberg
Sophie Schmitz
Ava Smoot
Adeline Stevens
Ani Stine
Isabella Turner
Brayden Waller
Jack Wear
Kaden Wedig
Emerson Williams

Freshman Honor Roll

Yadiel Acosta-Reyes
Alec Bowlin
Willis Canamore
Brenda Castro Gutierrez
Jaxson Colvin
Justin Downs
Aiden Hundley
Waylon Jones
Garrett Loschen
Avrianna Lyttle
Steven Newman
Mason Olinger
William Ricketts-Royer
Lilly Sollars
Cameron Wagner
Shelby Warns
Declan Yohnka
Dalton York

Sophomore High Honor Roll

Trevor Ames
Kylie Barrowman
Lexie Barrowman
Kaitlyn Beyers
Emily Bird
Tim Blackburn-Kelley
Aiden Bonny
Addison Brooks
Sara Bytnar
Jacob Carlson
William Carlson
Adelyn Childers
Katherine Ericksen
Callie Evans
Abigail Getty
Camden Getty
Zachary Harper
Claire Hartman
Bryson Houchens
Amelia Huckstadt
Lydia Huckstadt
Adalyn Jannusch
Kaelyn Jolley
Sophia Kasper
Madilyn Kelley
Samantha Kelso
Cooper Kietzman
Alexis Lackey
Ryker Lockhart
Mackenzie Loschen
Michael McDaniel
Danny McGinnis
Emma McKinney
Kodey McKinney
Patrick McMahon
Ava Midkiff
Ashlyn Miller
Hannah Mock
Delaney Nekolny
Allison Ochs
Brennan Oleynichak
Kayla Osterbur
Colton Overstreet
Garrick Page
Branson Pearman
Kaleb Peoples
Asher Pruemer
Ainsley Rhoton
Lily Rice
Landon Roberts
Logan Rosenthal
Amber Ruppel
Cameron Schlueter
Allison Schmitz
Gracyn Sjoken
Lucas Smith
Tao Smith
Karleigh Spain
Quinn Stahl
Sydney Steinbach
Hadley Sweet
Carlee Taylor
Sophia Vliet
Madeline Wells
Wyatt Wertz
Logan Xiao
Cyrus Zadeh

Sophomore Honor Roll

Caroline Aden
DeAva Barnett
Timera Blackburn-Kelley
Shelby Campbell
Rudra Chaudhary
Wade Clark
Christopher Coffey
Cade Crozier
Caleb Dwyer
Brandon Goodwin
William Haley
Erica Hardimon
Nick Jackson
Kylan Kincaid
Vance McComas
Jackson Mohr
Graham Ray
Lance Retz
Ethan Sanders
Trevor Sexton
Landon Smith
Lucas Truong
Hunter Van Meenen
Emma Wells

Junior High Honor Roll

EJ Beckett
Audrey Benoit
William Besson
Sul Bonny
Holden Brazelton
Arely Castro Gutierrez
Richi Chimal
Preslee Christians
Madison Clampitt
Ella Dietiker
Luke Ditchfield
Nolan Earley
Jackson Ennis
Savanna Franzen
Addison Funk
Tayton Gerdes
Olivia Getty
Makennah Hamilton
Lauren Harris
Haley Hesterberg
Maebree Houston
Kendrick Johnson
Dylan Jones
Sara Kearney
Amilliya Kindle
Madison Lankster
Logan Mills
Gabriel Mortlock
Grace Osterbur
Sonia Patel
Nathan Phillips
Sydney Reitmeier
Audrey Ruppel
Charles Schmitz
Tanner Siems
Kyler Swanson
Collin Thomey
Samantha Uden
Reese Wheatley
Charley Wright
Fiona Xiao

Junior Honor Roll

Jared Altenbaumer
Rylie Barton
Eli Birt
Landon Brown
Landen Butts
Hayden Coffey
Joshua Courter
Lauren Dewese
Lyla Frerichs
Kaiden Gaines
Paige Johnson
Owen Knap
Aiden Krall
Logan Lackey
Gabe Mata
Brenden Maury
Chayse Palmer
Logan Patton
Haley Rudolph
Corbin Smith
Thea Smith
Coy Taylor
Ava Worley
Zoe Wright

Senior High Honor Roll

Edward Alewelt
Chloe Allen
Logan Allen
Aden Armstrong
Samantha Beetz
Chloe Burkhalter
Payton Carter
Garrett Denhart
Mia Frederick
Addison Frick
Grace Getty
Chloe Harper
Rachel Harris
Brody Hausman
Annabelle Hueber
Tanner Jacob
Kya Jolley
Helene Jones
Quinn Lewis
Taylyn Lockhart
Addisyn Martinie
Ethan McElroy
Shannon McMahon
Talan Miller
Isaiah Mock
Rowan Musselman
Caleb Ochs
Macy Reed-Thompson
Addison Roesch
Addison Ross
Daniel Santiago
Addison Seggebruch
Lucas Skelton
Logan Smith
Dylan Smoot
Zoey Sweet
Drew Thurman
Emma Thurman
Braxton Waller
Elissia Ward
Colin Wayland
Corbin Wells
Hayden Williams
Peyton Williams
Spencer Wilson
Mitchell Wright

Senior Honor Roll

Kaden Allinger
Owen Baltzell
Mya Bott
Halle Brazelton
Kyler Brown
Tyler Buss
Maya Chahine
Cameron Dressen
Sadie Ericksen
Joseph Frasca
Alana Frerichs-McCurry
Grace Goldenstein
Ray Gutierrez
Jayci Hayes
Emmitt Holt
Ella Jones
Holden Jones
Tori Kibler
Luke Landrus
Lauren Lannert
Hayden Lewis
Connor Little
Carson Maroon
Seth McBride
Aescton Slowikowski
Brody Weaver
Nicholas Wetzel

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.

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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

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Comets edge Cornjerkers out of the postseason on the way to regional finals

Oakwood-Salt Fork's Saul Carrillo (right) challenges St. Joseph-Ogden's Steven Newman for possession during their season opener at Dick Duval Field at St. Joseph-Ogden High School on August 26. Carrillo's second half boot on Saturday against the Cornjerkers punched his team's ticket into the regional title game this week.

Photo: Sentinel/Clark Brooks

HOOPESTON – In a tightly contested IHSA Regional Semifinal, Oakwood-Salt Fork’s senior Saul Carrillo delivered the game-winning goal to secure a 1-0 victory over Hoopeston Area on Tuesday at Hoopeston Area High School. Carrillo’s unassisted strike in the second half, his second goal of the season, propelled the Comets to their first 20-plus-win campaign in school history and into the regional final.

The matchup saw both teams struggle to convert chances in a scoreless first half, with Oakwood-Salt Fork (21-3-0) maintaining control of possession but failing to break through the Cornjerkers’ defensive setup. Hoopeston Area's (8-17-0) backline, led by goalkeepers Beckett Moran and Brayden Walder, kept the Comets at bay, with Moran recording six saves and Walder collecting three more.

Oakwood-Salt Fork dominated much of the game, outshooting Hoopeston Area 20-5, including 10 shots on goal. Comets goalkeeper Jakob Rupp was rarely tested, making three saves to preserve his team’s clean sheet.

Key Players and Statistics

Carrillo’s second-half goal was a standout moment, but Oakwood-Salt Fork’s offense throughout the season has been led by senior Ethan Merritt, who has scored an impressive 30 goals. Freshman Mason Swartz, a versatile forward and midfielder, has contributed 18 goals, while senior striker Macen Phillips has also been a reliable force up front.

Despite not getting on the scoresheet in the semifinal, Merritt and Phillips were key in creating chances, helping the Comets maintain pressure on Hoopeston’s defense.

Hoopeston Area’s offensive opportunities were limited, with only three shots on target. The Cornjerkers, who finished fifth in the Vermilion Valley Conference (VVC), struggled to find any clear-cut chances against a well-organized Comets defense.

Record-Breaking Season for the Comets

The victory marked Oakwood-Salt Fork’s 21st win of the season, breaking the program's previous record for most wins in a single campaign. The Comets completed a flawless 12-0 run in the VVC during the regular season and have carried that momentum into the postseason.

After a 2-0 loss in their final regular-season game against Fisher-Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley on October 8, the Comets have rebounded with two consecutive victories in the regional tournament. Prior to that defeat, they had been riding a 12-match win streak, and now, with back-to-back wins, Oakwood-Salt Fork appears to have regained its rhythm at a critical time.

Looking Ahead

With the semifinal victory, Oakwood-Salt Fork advances to the IHSA Regional Championship, where they will face Georgetown-Ridge Farm on October 24 at 4 p.m. The Comets will look to continue their historic run and secure a regional title as they head into the next stage of the playoffs.

Hoopeston Area, meanwhile, sees their season come to an end after a challenging year in which they finished 8-17-0 overall. As the Comets prepare for their next test, they’ll rely on their depth and resilience to push further in the playoffs, while continuing to chase their ultimate goal of a state title.

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