SJ-O Football

The gains made by St. Joseph-Ogden’s football team Friday night were not enough.

The Spartans’ offense was stymied by Unity’s defense and the Rockets made SJ-O its third successive shutout victim with a 20-0 win for homecoming at Hicks Field.

“Their defensive players are fast to the football,” SJ-O coach Shawn Skinner said.

SJ-O was only able to generate 44 second-half yards on 20 plays.

The game was scoreless until the final 40 seconds of the first half.

Unity gained possession on the SJ-O 29-yard line with 1 minute, 59 seconds left in the second quarter following an 11-yard punt.

The Rockets had no timeouts remaining, but moved quickly, scoring on a 6-yard pass from Nate Reinhart to Nate Drennan with 38 seconds left in the period.

For the Spartans, there was a lot to like from the first two quarters. SJ-O matched Unity on first downs (6-6), had no penalties and no turnovers.

“I like how we played with effort,” Skinner said. “There wasn’t a lot I didn’t like other than the lack of scoring on our part. Everything had gone about as we wanted until that last possession when we gave them good field position.”

SJ-O took the ball to start the third quarter, but had to punt 57 seconds later.

Crayton Burnett sailed a punt 45 yards, but the Rockets completed a 64-yard scoring march thanks to three third-down conversions.

Again, Drennan hauled in a scoring strike from Reinhart, who converted his second extra point.

“They are very good, but we feel that we left some plays on the field,” Skinner said. “We’ll lick our wounds, but we will watch film and learn from this.

“Our guys were not satisfied. I liked the look in their eyes after the game. Our guys were ready to keep playing.”

Overall, SJ-O had 64 yards rushing on 25 carries.

Coby Miller and Keaton Nolan each gained 23 yards. Burnett finished with 15 yards rushing. He also completed 10 of 20 passes, for 66 yards.

Ty Pence hauled in four receptions for 21 yards. Chance Izard had 16 yards on two catches.

Izard’s 12-yard catch in the second half was the Spartans’ only play from scrimmage the last two quarters to generate more than eight yards.

In all, six Spartans had pass receptions.

Unity (3-1) finished with a 262-130 edge in total yards.

SJ-O’s four first-half possessions started on their own 18-, 15-, 3- and 17-yard lines.

The Spartans’ first possession of the third period began on their own 13-yard line.

“We made them have to drive the length of the field and we think it’s tough to do that against our defense,” Unity coach Scott Hamilton said. “Defensively, we’ve got a hungry group.”

SJ-O (3-1) returns to action on Friday in its homecoming game against Pontiac (1-3).

SJ-O Girls’ cross-country

The Spartans finished seventh on Saturday in the freshmen-sophomore division of the Richard Spring Invitational at Detweiler Park, in Peoria,

Leading the way for SJ-O were Kailyn Ingram (52nd in 20 minute, 29.7 seconds for 3 miles), Addie Allen (64th in 20:43.4), Malorie Sarnecki (70th in 20:48.2), Kendra Riddle (136th in 21:45.5) and Sidney Davis (188th in 23:09.8).

There were 278 runners in the freshmen-sophomore race.

Meet champion Elmhurst York had 30 points. SJ-O totaled 190.

In the varsity race, SJ-O had three competitors and was not scored as a team.

Jillian Plotner was 101st in a 454-runner field with a time of 19:15.0.

Trailing her were Hanna Eastin (212th in 20:23.8) and Ally Monk (252nd in 20:50.9).

In the open race, the Spartans ended in 40th place with a score of 1194. Meet champion York had 60 points.

The top SJ-O runners were: Kaytlyn Baker (252nd in 23:35.2), Taryn Sexton (362nd in 24:55.9), Teagan Miller (477th in 26:45.9), Izzy Sexton (533rd in 28:32.0), Mary Hinrichs (554th in 29:56.2) and Lili Wentzloff (579th in 34:53.2).

SJ-O returns to action on Saturday when it hosts the Spartan Classic.

SJ-O Boys’ cross-country

Brandon Mattsey and Eric Poe placed among the top half on Saturday in the varsity division of the Richard Spring Classic at Detweiler Park, in Peoria.

Mattsey ran the 3-mile course in 16 minutes, 42.7 seconds and took 188th in a field of 446 competitors. Poe was 198th in 16:46.1.

Other Spartan placers were Logan Wolfersberger (340th in 17:56.0), Lukas Hutcherson (358th in 18:05.9), Taddy Pettit (409th in 19:26.9) and Joshua Sexton (439th in 22:3.1).

In the team standings, SJ-O was 54th with a score of 1426. Meet champion St. Charles East had a score of 57.

SJ-O captured 27th in the 53-school freshmen-sophomore team chase with a score of 777. Meet champion Deerfield had a score of 88.

The Spartans’ leaders were Charlie Mabry (84th in 17:09.8), Elijah Mock (86th in 17:10.3), Luke Stegall (167th in 17:59.1), Braden Clampitt (200th in 18:17.6), Ethan Blackburn (247th in 18:55.3) and Zach Dahman (331st in 21:17.1).

SJ-O did not have any participants in the open race.

The Spartans return to action on Saturday when they host their own Spartan Classic.

SJ-O Golf

Medalist Payton Grimsley carded a 36 to lead the Spartans past Okaw Valley in a three-school meet on Thursday at Tri-City Country Cub. The Spartans carded a team composite of 170 and earned a team win by 23 strokes.

Following Grimsley were teammates Joe Acton (40), Riley Myren (44), Maddux Carter (50), Jack Robertson (52), Jacob Kern (54) and McGuire Atwood (55).

SJ-O returns to action on Tuesday at the Illini Prairie Conference meet in El Paso.

SJ-O Soccer

For the third match in a row, SJ-O was held scoreless on Thursday and dropped a 7-0 Illini Prairie Conference decision to St. Thomas More in Champaign.

SJ-O rebounded on Saturday with a 3-3 draw against Chillicothe IVC.

Freshman Emily Eisbernd scored the first goal for the Spartans, giving the team a 1-0 lead at halftime.

She was assisted by Luke Cohen, who hit a second-half goal as did teammate Garrett Siems.

Siems also had one assist.

The Spartans (2-9-2) return to action on Tuesday at Rantoul.

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St. Joseph-Ogden completed a unique three-match homestand in three nights on Wednesday with its third two-game sweep in as many days.

The Spartans (13-3) turned back Danville 25-13, 25-13 on Wednesday.

Katelyn Berry had 10 digs, Kennedi Burnett had eight digs and Rylee Stahl had six digs.

Burnett and Lacey Kaiser each swatted six kills. Bigger handed out 16 assists to go with two service aces.

On Tuesday, the Spartans secured a 2-0 sweep over visiting Paxton-Buckley-Loda.

Bigger handed out 26 assists and SJ-O displayed a potent and balanced offensive attack.

Kaiser landed nine kills while Berry and Burnett each delivered seven kills.

Burnett sparked a defense that produced 42 digs. She had nine.

Other team leaders were Berry (seven digs), Lindsey Aden (six digs), Kaiser (six digs), Berry (five digs) and Stahl (five digs).

Bigger had 16 assists and eight digs on Monday as the Spartans blitzed visiting Hoopeston Area, 25-5, 25-5.

Kaiser (six kills), Jenna Albrecht (five kills) and Burnett (five kills) were the offensive sparks.

Berry contributed a team-high 11 digs.

SJ-O (12-3) returns to action on Monday at Urbana.

SJ-O Boys’ cross-country

SJ-O runners were dominant on Tuesday in a non-scored dual meet against Monticello at Kickapoo State Park.

The Spartans swept the second through 10th positions.

SJ-O’s Brandon Mattsey was the meet’s runner-up, running the 3-mile course in 18 minutes, 7 seconds.

The next six Spartan runners finished consecutively and were within 29 seconds of one another.

Eric Poe was third in 19:01, followed by Lukas Hutcherson (fourth in 19:04), Luke Stegall (fifth in 19:07), Logan Wolfersberger (sixth in 19:09), Braden Clampitt (seventh in 19:11) and Elijah Mock (eighth in 19:30).

Completing the top 10 were SJ-O’s Ethan Blackburn (ninth in 20:37) and Charlie Mabry (10th in 20:51).

SJ-O returns to action on Saturday at the Peoria Notre Dame Invitational.

SJ-O Girls’ cross-country

In a non-scored dual meet on Tuesday against Monticello at Kickapoo State Park, SJ-O runners swept all of the first five positions.

Jillian Plotner was the individual winner in 21 minutes, 15 seconds for the 3-mile course.

She was followed by Hannah Rajlich (second in 21:20), Ava Knap (third in 21:27), Ashlyn Lannert (fourth in 21:53) and Ally Monk (fifth in 22:07).

SJ-O returns to action on Saturday at the Peoria Notre Dame Invitational.

SJ-O Soccer

It was a different day, but the outcome was the same for the St. Joseph-Ogden soccer program.

Three days after losing to Monticello 5-0 in a tournament match at Hoopeston, the Spartans lost a 5-0 decision to Monticello on Tuesday at home.

Monticello is 10-0-1 for the season, SJ-O is 2-8-1 entering a match today at St. Thomas More (9-1-3).

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SJ-O boys’ cross country teammates Ethan Blackburn and Tad Pettit were the top two finishers on Tuesday in a three-team non-scored meet at Kickapoo State Park.

Due to the heat, the race was shortened from 3 miles to 2 miles.

Blackburn led the way, finishing the course in a time of 12 minutes, 53.66 seconds. Pettit’s time was 12:56.66.

Four other Spartans finished among the top 10. Brandon Mattsey was sixth (13:59.67) and Eric Poe was seventh (14:11.23).

In ninth was SJ-O’s Luke Stegall (14:17.83), who placed one position in front of Elijah Mock (14:18.53).

The Spartans were running against Armstrong-Potomac and Oakwood/Salt Fork.

SJ-O returns to action on Saturday at the First to Finish Invitational at Peoria’s Detweiler Park.

SJ-O Girls’ cross-country

Four Spartans finished within five seconds of one another on Tuesday in a 2-mile race at Kickapoo State Park.

The three-school meet was originally scheduled for 3 miles, but was reduced due to the day’s heat and humidity.

Leading the pack for SJ-O were Hannah Rajlich (16 minutes, 51.03 seconds), Jillian Plotner (16:51.65), Ashlyn Lannert (16:52.52) and Ava Knap (16:56.65).

Ally Monk (17:06.41), Hope Rajlich (17:13.76) and Kendra Riddle (17:15.56) were part of the Spartans’ next pack of runners.

Also featured in that group were Addi Allen (17:16.13), Hanna Eastin (17:16.89), Kailyn Ingram (17:17.67) and Taryn Sexton (17:22.19).

The Spartans return to action on Saturday at the First to Finish Invitational at Peoria’s Detweiler Park.

SJ-O Soccer

Freshman Hunter Ketchum had six saves on Tuesday for SJ-O, which was shut out for the third time this season, 2-0, in a loss at home against Fisher/GCMS.

The Spartans return to action on Friday in the Cornjerker Classic, in Hoopeston.

SJ-O Volleyball

Kennedi Burnett and Lacey Kaiser each reached double figures in digs – with 10 apiece – on Tuesday, but SJ-O suffered a 25-22, 25-20 loss to visiting Champaign Central.

Katelyn Berry had seven kills and Jenna Albrecht landed five kills. Emily Bigger handed out 23 assists.

Kaiser had a team-high three blocks.

On Wednesday, the Spartans made visiting Oakwood their sixth victim of a two-set sweep, 25-8, 25-10.

Bigger posted a double-double with 24 assists and 12 digs to go with a team-high three service aces.

Berry swatted 10 kills and Burnett had six kills as well as seven digs. Albrecht collected a team-high two blocks.

In the two-game sweep last Thursday at Teutopolis, Albrecht, Berry, Bigger and Burnett paced a balanced offensive attack with six kills apiece. Burnett and Kaiser each added seven digs.

SJ-O (6-2) returns to action on Saturday at the Mahomet-Seymour Invitational.

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SJ-O Boys’ cross-country

With Brandon Mattsey and Eric Poe finishing second and third, respectively, the SJ-O Spartans opened the boys’ cross-country season on Saturday by winning the Doc Acklin Memorial Invitational, at Paris.

SJ-O had a team score of 25. Runner-up Marshall had a score of 49.

Mattsey ran the 3-mile course in 17 minutes, 1.4 seconds. Poe finished in 17:07.6.

The Spartans had five runners among the top 10 in a field of 81 competitors.

Elijah Mock was seventh (17:44.0), followed by Luke Stegall in eighth (17:46.8) and Charlie Mabry in 10th (18:04.1).

Rounding out the team’s top seven were Braden Clampitt in 21st (18:55.1) and Lukas Hutcherson in 22nd (19:00.3).

SJ-0 returns to action on Saturday in Chrisman’s Cowchip Classic.

SJ-O Girls’ cross-country

The Spartans placed second to Marshall in Saturday’s 11-school Doc Acklin Memorial Invitational, in Paris.

Marshall had a composite score of 28. SJ-O totaled 34 points.

All of the Spartans’ top seven runners finished among the top 18 in a field of 56.

Jillian Plotner ran the 3-mile course in 18 minutes, 35.2 seconds and finished third individually.

She was two spots ahead of teammate Hannah Rajlich, whose time was 20:37.9.

Ava Knap was seventh (20:44.8) and Ashlyn Lannert was 10th (21:06.3).

Other team leaders were Ally Monk (11th in 21:11.7), Hope Rajlich (12th in 21:13.5) and Kailyn Ingram (18th in 21:47.6).

The Spartans’ next meet is Saturday at Chrisman in the Cowchip Classic.

SJ-O Soccer

Zac Seeley scored three goals – one on a penalty kick – and SJ-O won its first match of the season on Monday, 5-1 against visiting Schlarman Academy.

The teams were tied, 1-1, at intermission.

Wes Seeley and Brayden Grimsey each had one goal for the Spartans (1-3-1).

Goalkeeper Hunter Ketchum had two saves.

SJ-O returns to action tonight at Bismarck-Henning/Rossville-Alvin.

SJ-O Volleyball

The Spartans (4-1) won their fourth consecutive two-set match on Tuesday, dealing visiting Cissna Park a 25-7, 25-9 loss.

Kennedi Burnett had team-high totals in kills (seven), digs (five) and blocks (two).

Emily Bigger put up 21 assists and Lacey Kaiser landed five service aces in addition to four kills.

Katelyn Berry chipped in with four aces, four kills and four digs. Payton Vallee added five kills.

SJ-O returns to action tonight at Teutopolis.

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The path to becoming a captain for the St. Joseph-Ogden girls’ cross-country team traveled through the library.

Aspiring captains had required summer reading.

And then, head coach Jason Retz asked the captain candidates to answer questions about the book.

The girls’ team captains – Ally Monk, Hannah Rajlich and Jillian Plotner – found the journey enlightening. All three runners are seniors.

The book they were asked to read was, “How Bad Do You Want It,” by Matt Fitzgerald.

The entire process served a purpose, Retz said.

“As far as the questions, they relate to the book and our team,” Retz said. “Many of the questions connected our team to the book and understanding why reading the book was beneficial for them going forward leading our team.

“In the book we read, every chapter was about the adversity a different person had gone through in their life to find athletic success.  Our goal was to show our leaders everyone struggles from something different. It’s important to understand that to try to connect with them to lead.”

The teen-agers found the book to be an eye-opening experience.

“The main reason for reading the book and answering questions was to show our coaches that we are willing to invest our time into something bigger than ourselves which, in the end, will lead to a stronger team,” Rajlich said. “From the book, I was able to learn that all athletes go through different struggles to get to where they are.

“This book allowed me to get an insight on some of the struggles my own teammates might experience and how I may be able to help them.”

Monk liked that the book detailed issues from real people as opposed to hypothetical examples.

“Within the novel, each athlete overcame some type of adversity and I talked to my teammates about how they could overcome adversity in similar ways as the athletes did in the book,” Monk said. “Personally, the book changed my mindset because it taught me that even professional athletes go through and deal with some of the same things as me and my teammates.

“As a leader, I hope that me giving my teammates knowledge about the athletes and their adversity helped my teammates feel a connection to these athletes. I also hope that it made them feel like they weren’t alone, and even the best of the best athletes deal with the same things as small-town high school runners do.”

Plotner said her perspectives were also altered after reading the book.

“Some of the best runners, triathletes and many more have had different life stories which helped them become what they are now,” Plotner said. “My mindset changed completely.

“I never thought throughout the course of reading this book that many people have a back story into why they became some of the best athletes, and how intelligent they are. This will help with the leader status on the cross-country team because everyone has a story; some worse than others, but they bring different aspects to the team that helps us become one whole group.”

The book, published in 2015, emphasizes the concept that strong mental fitness can provide an advantage for individuals against someone who may be superior physically.

The focus is on relearning principles involving sports psychology. A wide range of athletes – from a variety of sports – told their stories.

“The book dealt with the adversity of many individuals, and how each overcame it,” Retz said. “It was a great read for our leaders to understand that everyone comes from a different place and has had several challenges to get to where they are.”

Plotner found the stories to be relatable.

“What I learned the most is that average people have life-changing stories and that’s what got them into doing what they either have done before and got back into it or wanting to try something new,” she said.

There are multiple levels to leadership, Plotner said.

“A leader in cross-country is someone who is willing to communicate, give an all-out effort, and is willing to help show our younger – and sometimes older – kids all different kinds of methods and strategies to help improve not only themselves, but others,” she said.

“Our motto for this year is ‘others first.’ A leader does that in every aspect. They simply put others before themselves.”

Monk believes that one characteristic of leadership is keeping everyone together.

“To me, being a leader means being someone that my teammates feel as approachable,” Monk said. “Or in other words, if my teammates feel they need someone to talk to for one reason or another, I can be that person.

“As a leader, I also feel that I am someone that needs to set an example and raise the bar for the betterment of the team. I feel that the title leader means I must encourage my teammates and help them realize that at the end of the day, no matter who beat who out on the course or during the tough workout, we are always family.”

They can take the best qualities from team leaders in the past to help the program move forward.

“I have learned many things from the alumni who have preceded me in this leadership role,” Rajlich said. “I was able to see the amount of work it takes, but also how fulfilling this role is.

“I had great role models to look up to, so they showed me exactly who I wanted to be once I earned this position. They showed me how to put others first and they showcased the strong tradition of a championship culture that our running program has.”

Monk remembers what it was like to be the newbie on the team.

“Going into the program as a freshman, some of the things we do in practice seem a bit scary or even insane,” Monk said. “With these thoughts and feelings, it’s easy to think negative thoughts.

“As a leader, it’s important to be positive and because of this, I’ve tried to spread my positivity within the team.”

Plotner said one emphasis is to make sure everyone is on the same page.

“I believe that one of the major roles I play on the team is a communicator,” Plotner said. “I love communicating with everyone I can talk to. I try to talk to as many of our teammates as much as possible so that they know they have someone to talk to in case of needing help or just wanting to talk.

“Hannah Rajlich and I have been working together this past summer to not only better ourselves, but set those communication roles so our younger kids can follow also. A lot of responsibility comes with being a leader. We try to help our younger kids learn how to properly stretch, warm-up before a race, and know the difference between having fun and getting work done.”

The simple definition of expectations for the leaders, Monk said, can be summarized in one sentence.

“Providing positive energy, setting an example of hard work and being an advocate for those who need help,” Monk said.

One key, Plotner believes, is to not be overbearing.

“I learned that you try to have fun with it as much as possible,” she said. “Many of our old leaders stressed and felt like they were pressured to do everything right.

“All you have to do is take it day-by-day, and have fun with it. Don’t stress about it, have fun. But, know when to have those serious aspects, also.”

Rajlich enjoys and appreciates what cross-country offers.

“To me, cross-country is an opportunity to prove myself while also becoming the best version of myself,” Rajlich said. “This sport allows me to push myself beyond what I ever thought was possible and taught me that I am always stronger than I think.

“No matter how my last race went, each new race is an opportunity to show who I am both to myself and my coaches, teammates and opponents. While I have many goals for the upcoming season my biggest is to enjoy my final season at S-O and make the most of the time I have left.”

Monk said cross-country was not her original sport of choice, but she is glad it is one she pursued diligently.

“Cross-country is a sport that means more to me than I ever thought it would when I first started,” Monk said. “I first joined cross-country in fifth grade because my mom told me I had to choose between it and basketball, and I have no coordination whatsoever.

“So, to that little fifth-grade girl, I learned cross-country is a sport full of perseverance. Because of cross-country, I was able to realize how fun and rewarding something so tough can be. But, without my amazing teammates and coaches, I wouldn’t have been able to realize these things.

“My cross-country team is definitely like a family to me and for that, I am forever grateful.”

Plotner has both individual and team goals for her final prep season.

“I set the goal of wanting to be in the top 25 in the state meet and to help our team get a trophy,” Plotner said.

Distance running is an endeavor Plotner grew up around.

“Cross-country has always been in my life,” she said. “My father (Corey Plotner) is the St. Joseph Middle School coach. He has helped me learn to love the sport and have that competitive attitude since Day 1.

“I’ve been loving the sport more and more as I continue to grow. The family aspect of the team is such a wonderful bond to have also. I enjoy going out and knowing I gave it my all on the race course while having those teammates, coaches, and family members on my side.”

Retz shies away from using the word ‘captain.’

“We call our kids leaders, not captains,” Retz said. “Captain is just a word.  The actions of that individual are much more important.”

In previous years, he never officially designated anyone in leadership positions.

“I gave responsibilities to different athletes and the ones who were good at their jobs, we counted on more to be leaders,” Retz said.

Some of the current team leaders would not have considered themselves as candidates for that role, but said the sport has helped them to reach that designation.

“I would say I have more of a shy personality until I really get to know you,” Rajlich said. “However, cross-country has really let me grow into the person I am today.

“With my team, I bring positive energy and an organized personality to keep us on track while still enjoying the sport.”

Monk, too, believes she has grown into her position.

“As a leader, I’ve learned the importance of team bonding,” she said. “As a result, I’ve become more outgoing because I’ve gotten better at helping plan hangouts.

“I’ve also learned to be more considerate and flexible with such a big group full of various thoughts and opinions.”

Rajlich hopes that she is helping to establish a culture that will carry on long after she graduates.

“I enjoy getting to be a mentor for our team and hopefully leaving an impact that will continue to improve our running program in the future,” she said.

The Spartans entered the fall practice season with renewed confidence based on summer workouts and conditioning.

“The summer allowed me to show our team how I can be a dependable and reliable leader,” Rajlich said. “Through planning many team-bonding activities and showing up to daily morning practices (at 6 a.m.) the team was able to see I was invested.

“This summer I was also able to accomplish my highest summer mileage ever with 435 miles and over 60 hours of running put in. My team has also accomplished successful summer training while also building a strong team-oriented atmosphere.”

Plotner said she did more than go through the motions while running.

“I was pushing some of my easy runs to be faster runs to get back into shape,” Plotner said. “Our fellow teammates have seen that in order to get a (state) trophy this year, we need to become faster.

“So, not only have I been speeding up during some of those runs, others on the team have also. On some of the days where I would average 7:20 for over four miles, some of the younger ones would run with me once or twice a week.”

Plotner was leading by example.

“They saw the determination through myself and saw how we all have a goal we all want to reach,” she added. “The team has gotten faster, along with myself. I see the improvements from last year.

“All I have to say is ‘look out.’ ”

SJ-O will open its season on Saturday, Aug. 31, at Paris in the Doc Acklin Memorial Invitational.

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