SJO football beats state-ranked Unity
By FRED KRONER
Until Friday, the last time a football team from St Joseph-Ogden had beaten the Unity varsity team was in 2018.
One year ago, when the schools played on the gridiron, the outcome favored Unity, 50-7.
SJ-O demonstrated on Friday (Sept. 1) that the times have changed.
In a game, the Spartans trailed 28-18 at halftime in Tolono, SJ-O regrouped and rallied for a 38-35 victory against a state-ranked opponent that has been receiving votes as the No. 1 team in Class 3A.
Entering the game, Unity was ranked third and SJ-O was ranked 10th in Class 3A.
The decisive touchdown came with 6 minutes and 31 seconds to play on a 6-yard run by senior quarterback Logan Smith.
“It’s a great victory from a morale standpoint,” SJ-O coach Shawn Skinner said. Our kids went toe-to-toe all 48 minutes.”
Kicker Joe Frasca booted a field goal and three extra points.
The SJ-O coach was quick to point out to his players that it was just one game and just one win.
“We need to see how we respond,” Skinner said. “That should not be the pinnacle of the season.
“If the second game is the pinnacle, then we have wasted (the season).”
Smith accounted for four of the Spartans’ TDs, scoring two himself and passing to juniors Coy Taylor and Tanner Siems for one score apiece.
Taylor connected on 19 of 25 passes for 296 yards. Taylor hauled in 14 passes for 233 yards. Siems turned six catches into gains of 89 yards, 35 of those yards coming on a fourth-quarter pass from Taylor that set up the game-winning tally.
A year ago, as a sophomore Taylor had a breakout season, eclipsing the 1,000-yard mark for receiving yards. He hasn’t let up.
“He works so hard and is constantly honing his skills,” Skinner said. “What he does in practice is phenomenal. If he gets his hands on the ball, he catches it.
“I’ve seen him make three or four of the best catches I’ve ever seen on a football field, at any level. Every game he has played, he has been the best receiver on the field. It’s up to us to scheme ways to get him open.”
Taylor has a key role in practice as well.
“On Wednesdays, we run him as the opponent’s top receiver against our defense,” Skinner said. “It makes us better, having to defend him.”
Though SJ-O trailed by 10 points at halftime, Skinner felt his squad was just a few plays away from owning the lead.
“Defensively, we were not great in the first half,” he said. “Three of their TDs were scored on fourth-down plays.”
The Spartans made key defensive plays, including an interception and a fumble recovery by Garrett Denhart.
“He kept competing and had a tremendous second half,” Skinner said. “Our kids are continuing to find ways to make plays.”
SJ-O has a 2-0 record, but Skinner said there is work to be done.
“We are not a finished product,” he said. “We can be so much better.
“We like our offense. We like our defense. We like the competitive nature of our kids, but we have a lot to improve on.
“It’s impressive to say that we’ve won two games, but can be so much better.
Smith rushed for a team-high 61 yards against the Rockets. Justice Wertz, who scored one TD, gained 53 yards on the ground.
Both Wertz and Tim Blackburn-Kelley were on the receiving end of passes from Smith.
With only Nolan Earley and Braxton Waller playing regularly on both offense and defense, the Spartans’ staff can take advantage of the time when the opposite platoon is on the field.
“From an offensive standpoint, it affords coaches the chance to make adjustments,” Skinner said. “That’s a luxury to have.
“Our defensive guys are able to regroup and rest.”
SJ-O returns to action on Friday (Sept. 9) at home against Prairie Central (1-1).
“They might be the biggest team we’ll face all year,” Skinner said. “They have a couple of phenomenal offensive linemen.”
Prairie Central rebounded from a Week 1 loss to Unity with a 47-6 win over Pontiac in the team’s second game.
