Spartans open football season with win over Monticello
By FRED KRONER
The changes on the field yielded changes on the scoreboard when St. Joseph-Ogden opened its football season on Friday (Aug. 26) with a 21-14 victory at Monticello.
The offensive lineup didn’t have much resemblance to the group that played in 2021. Four of the five offensive linemen were back, but they were joined by new receivers, a new quarterback (who didn’t play the sport a year ago) and new ballcarriers in the backfield.
SJ-O coach Shawn Skinner was impressed with the first-game performance.
“We didn’t turn the ball over and we only had four penalties for 20 yards,” Skinner said. “Anytime you do that, you put yourself in a good position.
“We didn’t beat ourselves.”
That position resulted in the school’s first win over Monticello since a 26-7 triumph in 2015 and a first-game triumph for the first time since a 2019 opener against St. Thomas More.
“This team is confident and they’re all competitors,” Skinner said.
Though many players were new – or returning – to varsity football, the Spartans were able to start strong.
“We practiced on Mondays and Wednesdays all summer,” Skinner said. “These kids have the ability to go to the next play and not blink.”
Quarterback Logan Smith, in his varsity debut, completed 11 of 20 passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns.
His primary receivers were senior Ty Pence – who returned to football after a two-year layoff – and sophomore Coy Taylor.
Pence hauled in four passes for 89 yards and one TD. Taylor snagged six passes for 70 yards and a TD. Aidan Moberg caught one pass for 6 yards.
The bulk of the rushing yards was gained by first-time tailback starter Alex Funk – who was primarily a linebacker last year – and he ran for 128 yards and one TD on 14 carries. Smith gained 16 yards on eight carries and Justice Wertz gained 6 yards on three attempts.
Skinner expected that Smith could step in and make an immediate impact.
“He has focused on basketball, but when your point guard is your quarterback, those two positions align,” Skinner said. “His vision is great. He is calm, cool and collected.”
Playing behind a veteran offensive line was beneficial.
“The offensive line, I felt good with their ability to execute early in the season,” Skinner said, “but we have a ways to go.
“We didn’t come close to playing as good as we can, but when you can say you won and have a lot to improve on, that’s a good thing.”
SJ-O picked off two Monticello passes, including one by Pence and one by Garrett Denhart.
“Garrett’s interception in the fourth quarter was huge, at the goal line to snuff out a potential scoring drive,” Skinner said.
Both Denhart and another member of the Spartans’ secondary, Rowan Musselman, were starting on varsity for the first time.
“They played well and it was significant what they did,” Skinner added.
Linebackers Drew Thurman and Colin Wayland were other defensive catalysts.
The Spartans had just two two-way starters in the opener.
SJ-O (1-0) will play its home opener on Friday (Sept. 2) against Tolono Unity (0-1).
“There’s no reason to feel too good about what we did (in Week 1),” Skinner said. “Our conference is tough every week and we know we’re in for a dogfight on Friday.”
