Pinning to winning

PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

ST. JOSEPH - Urbana's Jaylan Goines ties up St. Joseph-Ogden's Corbin Smith during the 190-pound match at Saturday's Quad Meet at the high school. Goines scored six point for his team after securing the match by pin in 33 seconds on the SJO junior. Despite the victory, the Tigers went on to lose the match with a final score, 58-21. See more photos of Urbana wrestlers in action at the December 2, 2023 meet here ...

Sack attack

ST. JOSEPH - Braxton Waller celebrates his second-half sack after putting Carlinville quarterback Rex Reels into the turf at Dick Duval Field on Saturday, October 28. After a slow first half, St. Joseph-Ogden rallied in the second putting four additional TDs on the scoreboard to win their first-round playoff game, 38-15. "I thought our defense did a tremendous job adjusting as the game went on," said head coach Shawn Skinner. "They did a super job." The Spartans advance to the second-round and travel to Roxana to take on the Shells at 3pm for their second-round contest. See more photos here ...

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

St. Joseph-Ogden secures playoff spot with win over PBL

PAXTON - Tanner Siems and Coy Taylor celebrate the first of three touchdown receptions by Siems in St. Joseph-Ogden's road game at Paxton-Buckley-Loda on October 19, 2023. After scoring on this 23 yard play, Siems hauled in an 11 and 37-yard pass for SJO touchdowns. Taylor also caught a 30-yard pass in the rout at Zimmerman Field in PBL. The Spartans went on to defeat the host Panthers, 34-20. See more photos from this game here.

Photo: PhotoNews Media

Unity wins third cross country state final

PEORIA - Unity's Emily Decker runs in the Class 1A championship race at the IHSA State Cross Country State Finals on Saturday, November 4, 2023. Decker was the third Rocket athlete to cross the finish line, finishing her race in 18 minutes and 22.60 seconds. Unity turned in a final top-five score of 109 to win the small school title a third-consecutive season. See more photos from this year's state cross country meet here ...

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Cesario will be 'ringing' in the new year after Nazareth's title win

November 25, 2023 - Normal, Illinois - Nazareth Academy's Luciano Cesario is ready to put a ring on it after his team's victory over Joliet Catholic at the Illinois High School Association's Football State Finals on Saturday. The Roadrunners, who entered the postseason with five losses won the Class 5A state title defeating the heavily-favored Hilltoppers, 38-20. Cesario, a sophomore starter, finished the championship game with six tackles. See more photos here...

PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Nazareth Academy wins 5A football championship

In the main photo, Nazareth Academy players celebrate with the school’s newest piece of IHSA hardware Saturday afternoon at Hancock Stadium on the Illinois State University campus. The Roadrunners, who started their 2023 campaign with four straight losses, upset Joliet Catholic Academy in the Class 5A football championship game on Saturday, November 25, in Normal, IL, by way of a 38-20 decision. More photos from this game at www.photonewsphotos.com.

Photos: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Rock Falls tumbles in semifinal, plays for third on Saturday

November 10, 2023 - Normal, Illinois - Rock Falls' Nicolette Udell celebrates a point for her team against Breese Mater Dei during their Class 2A match at CEFCU Arena on Friday. The Lady Knights defeated the Lady Rockets, 25-20, 25-22. Udell & Co are back in action on Saturday in the third place match against Carmi-White County at approximately 12:25. See more photos...

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

IC Catholic punches ticket into state volleyball title match

November 10, 2023 - Normal, IL - Members of the IC Catholic volleyball team celebrate together midcourt after winning the semifinal volleyball match at the IHSA Volleyball State Finals. The Lady Knights defeated Carmi-White County in straight sets, 25-5, 25-16. ICC will face the winner of the other Class 2A semifinal between Rock Falls and Breese Mater Dei on Saturday.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Galena Pirates to play for volleyball state title on Saturday

November 10, 2023 - Normal, Illinois - Galena's Kendra Bauer celebrates her team 2-0 state semifinal win over St. Anthony on Friday. The Pirates, who advanced to the Class 1A championship after defeating the Bulldogs, 25-18, 25-18, will face Hartsburg-Emden Saturday morning after the third-place contest between Cissna Park and St. Anthony.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Stags advance to championship game at state volleyball

November 10, 2023 - Normal, Illinois - Hartsburg-Emden's Addie Beekman gets in position for a dig during her team's state semifinal game against Cissna Park during set one. The Stags advanced to the Class 1A state title game after defeating the Lady Timberwolves 25-17, 25-13.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks)

Herscher's Haugen competes at state cross country meet

November 4, 2023 - Peoria, Illinois - Herscher's Emma Haugen tries to pass Okawville's Lydia Luechtefeld as they approach the finish line in the Class 1A championship race at the IHSA State Cross Country State Finals on Saturday. Haugen was the #6 runner crossing the finish line for the Tigers. The senior finished the race at 20:40.89. Click here to see more 2023 state cross country photos.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

SJO adjustments puts points on the board in first-round football game

October 28, 2023 - ST. JOSEPH - St. Joseph, IL - Braxton Waller celebrates his sack in the second half after putting Carlinville quarterback Rex Reels into the turf at Dick Duval Field on Saturday. After a slow first half, St. Joseph-Ogden rallied in the second putting four additional TDs on the scoreboard to win their first-round playoff game, 38-15. "I thought our defense did a tremendous job adjusting as the game went on," said head coach Shawn Skinner. "They did a super job." The Spartans advance to the second-round and will travel to Roxana to take on the Shells at 3pm. See more photos from this game here ...

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Earley waiting for the right time to tackle

October 28, 2023 - A Spartan linebacker Nolan Earley flows with the play as he watches Cavalier quarterback Rex Reels rollout desparately looking for an open receiver. Reels threw just one TD, a 17-yard 4th quarter pass to Mason Gilpin. After the two-point conversion, Carlinville trailed 38-15 with two and half minutes left in the game and was unable to score again. St. Joseph-Ogden advanced to the next round of the 2023 playoffs to face Roxana a week later. See more photos from St. Joseph-Ogden's round one football game against Carlinville.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Blackburn-Kelley busts an 83-yard TD for SJO

October 28, 2023 - St. Joseph, IL - James Barron (18) and Ryker Lockhart (7) celebrate in the end zone after Tim Blackburn-Kelley's 83-yard TD in the first quarter of their home football playoff game against Carlinville. Blackburn-Kelley, a sophomore, finished the game with 89 receiving yards and 54 rushing on six carries. The Spartans went on to eliminate the Cavaliers from the IHSA playoffs, 38-15. SJO advances to face Roxana on the road this Saturday at 3pm. See more photos from St. Joseph-Ogden's round one football game against Carlinville here.

Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

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