Spartan football ends season with win over Bloomington Central Catholic
By Fred Kroner
St. Joseph-Ogden’s offense generated 365 rushing yards on Friday while holding Bloomington Central Catholic to 36 yards on the ground as the Spartans topped the Saints, 22-3, in St. Joseph.
The Spartans led 14-3 at halftime and kept an opponent out of the end zone for the second time this spring.
SJ-O entered its fifth game with what head coach Shawn Skinner called, “A very unique week of preparation.”
Skinner explained: “Our baseball team played games Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, so our baseball players only attended practice on Tuesday.
“Our track guys had a meet on Tuesday, so they only practiced Wednesday and Thursday. We had our first full team work out at 4:30 on Friday (prior to the 7 p.m. kickoff). Our kids met at lunch all week and watched film with Coach Schact, Coach Beckett and myself.
“I just can’t say how proud I am of our kids and our assistant coaches to find a way to put together a game plan and then the effort they gave to go out and play the game in the manner that they did.”
Keaton Nolan rushed for 150 yards on 32 carries and scored two touchdowns. Alex Funk gained 30 yards on seven carries.
The Spartans’ ground game controlled the offense so much that quarterback Evan Ingram attempted just four passes. His one completion resulted in a 26-yard scoring toss to Griffin Roesch.
Skinner said it was by design that the Spartans’ game plan called for establishing the run.
“It was just a great game from our kids,” Skinner said. “It speaks to their level of effort as we had a very unique week of preparation.
“That’s a big reason why we relied on our running game. The offensive line has really continued to progress weekly as has our defensive line.
“Those are a bunch of young guys who continue to make progress in understanding what it takes to be successful at the varsity level. Seniors Max Shonkwiler and Xander Rieches made plays on both sides of the ball for us.
Nolan and Jackson Rydell each converted two-point plays following TDs.
Defensively, Brady Buss intercepted a pass for the second straight game and Aidan McCorkle registered three quarterback sacks.
“Aidan McCorkle continues to provide great pressure on opposing quarterbacks from his defensive end position,” Skinner said. “Brady Buss made a huge interception after we turned the ball over on consecutive possessions early in the game.
“That play really sparked us and it led to our first TD of the night.”
SJ-O (2-3) plays at unbeaten and state-ranked Monticello (5-0) on Saturday (April 27) in its season-finale.
“Saturday at Monticello will be a huge challenge to the end of this spring season,” Skinner said. “They are extremely well coached and very athletic.
“They play hard and rarely beat themselves with turnovers, so it will be a great challenge and an interesting way to gauge ourselves on where we are.”
Due to a scheduling quirk, when the fall football season kicks off in August, SJ-O’s Week 1 opponent will again be Monticello, “in 125 days,” Skinner said.
