Spartans look to bounce back for playoff eligibility, Ketchum works hard in goal
BY FRED KRONER
fred@mahometnews.com
Freshman receiver Ty Pence scored his first varsity touchdown on Friday at Fairbury, but it wasn’t enough for the Spartans, who suffered a 33-13 loss to Illini Prairie Conference rival Prairie Central.
Pence hauled in a 3-yard pass from Crayton Burnett for the points that trimmed SJ-O’s deficit to 26-13 in the fourth period.
Burnett passed for 151 yards. Pence had 35 receiving yards.
The rushing attack was led by Jarrett Stevenson (70 yards) and Brayden Weaver (46 yards). Weaver scored the team’s first TD on a 1-yard plunge in the second quarter.
The extra-point conversion by Ethan Vanliew created a 7-7 tie.
SJ-O (4-2) returns to action on Friday, trying to maintain its unbeaten streak at home against conference-leader Chillicothe IVC (6-0). The Spartans need one more win to become playoff-eligible and two more to assure themselves of a spot in the postseason.
There are three games remaining in the regular season.
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For the third time this season, SJ-O played an opponent to a 0-0 tie after regulation.
The Spartans’ match on Saturday at Warrensburg ended in a scoreless draw.
Goalkeeper Hunter Ketchum stopped six shots while posting his second shutout of the week.
“Hunter made some key blocks to keep SJ-O in the game,” Spartans’ coach Dan Vogelsang said.
On Thursday, SJ-O fell to Bloomington Central Catholic 3-1 in Bloomington.
Mason Behrens scored the Spartans goal in the second half. Ketchum had nine saves against the Saints, who led 2-0 at intermission.
SJ-O (4-13-3) returns to action today at Watseka.
