The St. Joseph-Ogden football team improved to 3-0 following a 49-20 win at Prairie Central last Friday night. Next up? The Spartans will make their longest trip of the regular season to play at Chillicothe IVC this Friday night in another Illini Prairie Conference game.
Before the Spartans and Grey Ghosts meet, get to know a bit more about two of SJ-O's 18 seniors on its roster. This week's guests: kicker Charlie Schmitz and defensive lineman Gabe Matta:
No. 21 Charlie Schmitz, senior kicker
1. What's your favorite St. Joseph-Ogden football uniform combination?
Maroon jersey and the maroon pants. It makes our helmet pop.
2. What's the best part of Dick Duval Field?
The new field goals because they have big flags, so I can finally see which way the wind is blowing when I'm kicking.
3. Who is your funniest teammate?
Logan Xiao with his mannerisms, the way he says hello and a couple jokes I can't say here.
4. What is your go-to spot to eat in St. Joseph?
Roch's. I get the cheeseburger, but they're so good.
5. Who does the best Shawn Skinner impression?
It's got to be Brodie Harms.
No. 71 Gabe Matta, senior defensive lineman
1. What's your favorite St. Joseph-Ogden football uniform combination?
The maroon jerseys and the white pants. I think the colors blend well together.
2. What's the best part of Dick Duval Field?
I like the turf a lot. That transition has been big.
3. Who is your funniest teammate?
Carson Sarnecki. He makes all the jokes to keep the team going.
4. What is your go-to spot to eat in St. Joseph?
Roch's. I get a Freddy Mack. It's pretty much like a Big Mac.
5. Who does the best Shawn Skinner impression?
Brodie Harms. I don't know how he does it, but he lowers his voice like Skinner, and it's the best thing ever.
Coach Speak
Each week, we'll catch up with St. Joseph-Ogden coach Shawn Skinner to look back at how the Spartans fared in their previous game and look ahead at what's next this upcoming Friday night:
Week 3: St. Joseph-Ogden 49, Prairie Central 20
Much like the Spartans have done all season, they played well in the first half and went into halftime ahead 28-0 this past Friday night against the host Hawks at Lewis Field in Fairbury.
Prairie Central trimmed SJ-O's lead to 28-14 midway through the third quarter, but quarterback Kodey McKinney threw his fourth touchdown pass of the game to pad the Spartans' advantage back to three scores. McKinney went 19 of 29 for 250 passing yards to go along with 64 rushing yards on 12 carries and one touchdown. Coy Taylor (nine catches for 116 receiving yards), Kaden Wedig (three catches for 79 yards), Tim Blackburn-Kelley (five catches for 36 yards, two touchdowns) and Tanner Siems (two catches for 19 yards, two touchdowns) also stood out.
"We couldn't have played a cleaner or better first half," Skinner said. "I give Prairie Central a lot of credit. They're not going to roll over. That's a credit to our opponents. There was a lot to like, and if we keep playing first halves like that, we'll be fine."
Week 4: St. Joseph-Ogden (3-0) at Chillicothe IVC (0-3)
A second straight road game awaits on Friday night when the Spartans travel roughly 120 miles trip to visit the Grey Ghosts. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. on the turf at Taylor Field.
Not overlooking the Grey Ghosts, who have been outscored 140-33 in losses to Paxton-Buckley-Loda, Monticello and Unity, is another factor. IVC quarterback Bryce Ratliff is a three-year starter, and the Grey Ghosts will send plenty of defensive pressure.
"They probably throw the ball down the middle of the field more than anybody we'll see," Skinner said. "Defensively, they bring a lot of guys, and they're going to go with a 3-3 stack with five defensive backs, similar to Unity, but Unity mixed a lot of man against us. These guys are not going to man. They're going to zone us. They're probably going to end up sending six most of the time, so we've got to figure out where they're coming from and have the protection lined up, so Kodey knows where everybody is blocking. If they come hot, they come with an attitude."