Pence and Smith receive All-State football honors
By Fred Kroner
Two St. Joseph-Ogden athletes earned recognition on the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association (IHSFCA) Class 3A All-State football teams.
Senior receiver Ty Pence was a first-team selection. Junior quarterback Logan Smith was an honorable mention IHSFCA choice.
In his second season of high school football, Pence broke the school mark for receiving yards in a single game (304 against Robinson) and most receptions in a single game (12 against Robinson). He stands fourth at SJ-O for touchdowns in a season (14) and sixth for TDs in a career (18), fourth for receptions in a season (including playoffs) with 53, third for receiving yards in a season (including playoffs) with 1,115 and is tied for TD receptions in a game (a mark he shares with his brother Jake, among others).
Smith is in the top four in every career passing category kept by SJ-O. He set the record for most passing yards during a nine-game regular season (2,061 yards) and single-game completion percentage (minimum of 10 attempts) with 90 percent accuracy (9 of 10 against Rantoul) and he tied the record for most touchdown passes in a game (five).
Also entering the SJ-O record book is sophomore wide receiver Coy Taylor. He broke the mark for receptions in a season (76) and receiving yards in a season (1,201 yards).
Taylor is already positioned first for career receptions (81) and career receiving yards (1,284), marks which will fall with every catch he makes for the next two seasons. As a freshman, Taylor played in just one varsity game.
“That puts what he did this year into an amazing perspective,” SJ-O coach Shawn Skinner said.
Pence was a first-team all-league performer in the Illini Prairie Conference. Teammates joining him on the IPC first team were offensive lineman Peyton Sarver, defensive lineman Owen Birt and placekicker Joe Frasca.
Smith was a second-team choice in the Illini Prairie Conference’s all-league team. Teammates joining him on the IPC second team were defensive back Garrett Denhart and punter Ty Pence.
Linebacker Collin Wayland was an honorable mention selection.
The Spartans’ top tacklers during a 7-4 season were Wayand (77), Drew Thurman (66), Aidan McCorkle (65) and Birt (55).
