St. Joseph-Ogden Secures Most Complete Win of the Season with 38-19 Victory Over Bloomington Central Catholic
By FRED KRONER
It took until the sixth week of the high school football season, but St. Joseph-Ogden football coach Shawn Skinner found a comment he could make for the first time on Friday (Oct. 4).
Following the Spartans’ 38-19 victory at Bloomington Central Catholic, Skinner said, “Without a doubt, this was our most complete game, and to do it in that environment, really impressed the coaching staff.”
In an Illini Prairie Conference showdown between schools ranked third in Class 3A (SJ-O) and 10th in Class 2A (BCC), it was the home team that held a 7-0 lead after one quarter.
The start wasn’t at all discouraging for Skinner.
“We forced a punt, but fumbled (at their own 25) and seven plays later, they scored on a fourth-down play,” Skinner said. “I wasn’t worried because other than the muffed punt, nothing bad had happened.”
The Spartans then took control by scoring 24 second-quarter points.
“Our kids responded,” Skinner said. “We had a nice kickoff return by Tim Blackburn-Kelley, who almost broke it.
“Our offense systematically and rhythmically went downfield and we scored.”
SJ-O entered the game knowing it would have to be creative on defense. At different times, the Spartans showed a three-man front, a four-man front, a five-man front and a six-man front.
“Our defense executed the game plan really well and we took over the game,” Skinner said. “Their offensive line is big and talented and they can score from anywhere on the field.
“We didn’t want them to get comfortable on the line with who to block and how they were blocking.”
The Spartans held a one-TD advantage in the final minutes of the first half before BCC mishandled a punt. Tanner Siems recovered and SJ-O’s Charlie Schmitz booted a field goal in the final half-minute.
SJ-O led at the break, 24-13.
“Collectively, we were really locked in and focused,” Skinner said. “Our special teams were great.”
Siems also recovered an onsides kick.
Kodey McKinney orchestrated an offense that was effective running and throwing. He completed 18 of 26 passes for 265 yards and four TDs.
“Kodey did a great job delivering the ball,” Skinner said.
Coy Taylor had 10 catches for 167 yards and Siems hauled in seven passes for another 80 yards.
Wyatt Wertz helped the Spartans run the clock down late in the game. He rushed for 93 yards on 17 carries.
“We got the ball back with 7:30 to go (in the fourth quarter) and they never got the football back,” Skinner said. “We converted a couple of fourth-down passes, and our line and wide receivers blocked well.
“We rode Wyatt through the fourth quarter. We ran the ball well.”
The game at BCC marked the third in a row where the SJ-O offense did not lose a fumble or throw an interception.
The Spartans’ defense welcomed back Logan Lackey. He suffered a knee injury in July and missed the team’s first five games.
“He was outstanding in his senior debut,” Skinner said. “He was a difference-maker. He was not just there to contribute but to play meaningfully.
“Our defense fed off of that. As a unit, our defense played well. Our defensive line was up to the challenge. We told them to keep our linebackers clean.”
Normally a linebacker, Lackey was moved to defensive end in his return to the field.
Free safety Collin Thomey continues to make big plays for the Spartans. Besides intercepting a pass in the second quarter, Thomey came up from the secondary to make a tackle for loss on a reverse.
SJ-O is 6-0 and seeking its sixth unbeaten regular season in the past 25 years. The Spartans have already qualified for the postseason for the 32nd time in the past 34 years.
The Spartans return to action on Friday (Oct. 11) in their homecoming game against Pontiac (0-6), which has scored seven TDs in six games.
Pontiac lost to Tolono Unity, 48-6, in its Week 6 game.
