Spartans ranked No. 4 in Class 3A after win over Prairie Central
By Fred Kroner
The St. Joseph-Ogden football team celebrated its return to the Class 3A state rankings – at the No. 4 position – by staying unbeaten with a 26-19 triumph over Prairie Central at home on Dick Duval Field on Friday (Sept. 8).
Quarterback Logan Smith scored two touchdowns and passed for a third one to account for 18 of the points. Placekicker Joe Frasca booted two field goals and converted two extra-point kicks.
“There were times they stymied us, but he (Smith) found ways to make plays at big times,” SJ-O coach Shawn Skinner said.
Smith’s scoring strike was to Tim Blackburn-Kelley, who had a game-high 94 receiving yards on two catches. Smith connected on 12 of 21 passes for 183 yards. He hit five of his last six attempts.
“The kids are playing so hard,” Skinner said. “We’re not playing perfect. We’re leaving plays on the field, but when you play with that much emotion and energy, that can make up for some mistakes.”
Frasca’s field goals covered 18 and 28 yards. Braxton Waller is the long-snapper and Garrett Denhart is the holder.
“And the blocking was strong,” Skinner said. “They kept Joe clean. It’s a luxury to know if we don’t get six or seven (points), we can come away with three.
“All three of our units, offense, defense and special teams made big plays, but they all had some hiccups.”
Few plays loomed larger than the very last one in the game. With 4 seconds left in the Illini Prairie Conference contest, Prairie Central had a fourth-and-goal from the 4-yard line.
“They completed a pass to the 2 and Rowan Musselman and Wyatt Wertz stopped him from getting to the end zone by about a half yard.
“Wertz made sure he didn’t go forward.
“Defensively, we were strong in the red zone. We’re giving up yards, but we’re not giving up a ton of scores. We’re developing a personality of being strong in the red zone.”
Skinner has few complaints with how the season has started.
“We’ve played three quality opponents, back-to-back really physical games, we’re 3-0 and we haven’t played our best football,” he said. “That’s a credit to the work they put in during June, July and early August.
“There’s so much more we can put out there.”
Justice Wertz rushed for a team-high 69 yards on 17 carries. Smith gained 39 yards on 12 attempts.
Tanner Siems (46 yards) and Coy Taylor (49 yards) each hauled in six passes from Smith.
The Spartans built a 13-0 lead after one quarter and carried a 16-6 cushion into intermission. Prairie Central had pulled within 19-13 entering the fourth quarter.
SJ-O (3-0) plays its homecoming game on Friday (Sept. 15) against Chillicothe IVC. The game will also serve as the official Hall of Fame induction ceremony for five individuals: Brian Allen (Class of 1993), Jerry Hewerdine (teacher and coach), Marvin Lee Flessner (Class of 1951), Susan Pensinger (teacher and coach) and Randy Wolken (Class of 1968).
IVC is 0-3 and has losses to schools that SJ-O has beaten, Monticello and Unity.
