•September 9, 2015•

By Matt Kracht
NP sports writer

Arthur-Lovington/Atwood Hammond scored three touchdowns in the first four minutes jumping all over Martinsville on Friday night.  Due to lightning strikes the game was postponed in the third quarter with the score at 36-22.

When play resumed Saturday, the Knights were able to shut out the Blue Streaks notching their first victory of the 2015 season.  Head coach Dale Schuring thought his team took the adversity in stride.  “We responded better today than Martinsville did. That is the reason we ended up holding onto the lead and finished out the game on a pretty strong effort.”

ALAH won the coin toss deciding to receive the opening kick. With the first offensive play from scrimmage senior quarterback Teddy Poe connected for a 75 yard touchdown pass on a go route to Marcus Vanausdoll.  The long touchdown  quieted the Martinsville sideline and would be the first of three first half touchdowns, for Poe.  The ensuing kickoff was recovered by the Knights before the Blue Streaks could get on the ball, stealing back possession for the offense.  Again Poe and Vanausdoll went to work.  On first and 10 from the Martinsville 40 yard line, Poe ripped off a 20 yard run on a quarterback option.  Four plays later Poe connected with Vanausdoll again for a 25 yard pass and catch on the same go route.  Facing first and goal from the five yard line Poe finished the drive off with a quarterback keeper over the right side for the second touchdown of the contest with nine minutes remaining in the first quarter.   Read More

Photo by RR Best

•September 2, 2015•

By Matt Kracht
NP sports reporter

In their season opener Sullivan Okaw-Valley rushed out to a 42-0 halftime lead thanks in part to a strong defensive effort.

Ty Molzen was sharp in limited action hitting on four of seven passing for three touchdowns and 110 yards in the first half. Head coach Gerald Temples thought overall it was a good start to the season. “We got some details we need to work on, but our defense played hard. We did not tackle exceptionally well so we got to get that corrected, but for the first ball game they did a nice job.”

After forcing a quick three and out on Hoopeston’s opening possession, the Redskins offense took over on the Cornjerker 34 yard line. On the first play Molzen plowed around the right end for an 18 yard gain. The Redskins then flipped it outside to Alec Ballinger who found space taking it 18 yards for the score with 10:16 remaining in the first quarter. Ballinger, who has game changing speed, received a pancake block from Blake Stewart to open his alley. The score was the first of three touchdown catches by Ballinger who finished with 105 yards receiving on the night. Coach Temples was pleased with the quick strike aspect of the offense. “Alex Ballinger is a pretty talented young man. When he gets in some space, he can make things happen. He did a nice job; our kids did a nice job getting it there.” Read More

Advanced to Tuesday’s must-win game

•July 22, 2015•

By Matt Kracht
NP Sports Reporter

Moultrie Douglas Legion ball took a disappointing 14-2 loss versus Shelby County Saturday in the first game of the district tournament. However, the team rebounded thanks to a double elimination format, beating Macon County 9-4 Sunday advancing to Tuesday night’s matchup versus the loser of Mattoon and tournament host Rantoul.
Read More

OV baseballer to continue sport at Lake Land

Photo by Keith Stewart
Recent Okaw Valley graduate Devon still signed his letter of intent to play baseball at Lake Land College during a May 19 ceremony. Pictured, left to right, back row are: Lake Land head baseball coach Bill Jackson and OV head baseball coach Andrew Hagerman. Front row: father Jeff Still, Devon Still, and mother Rachel Still.

June 17, 2015

by Keith Stewart
keith@newsprogress.com

It’s true that Devon Still has played golf and basketball throughout his high school career and excelled in both. But neither compares to his love for baseball. The sport is less a game to him than more a necessity.
And for the recent Okaw Valley graduate, not to mention member of the school’s fourth place state finishing team, that necessity has been extended two more years.
“I’ve always loved baseball. It was a couple years ago that I figured out if I worked hard enough I would be able to keep playing baseball, which is exactly what I wanted to do,” said Still. “I wanted to play in college, whether it was just playing or for a scholarship. I just wanted to play. So it was really nice getting an offer from Lake Land.”
That offer came relatively late into Still’s career, however. A fact that surprised his high school head coach Andrew Hagerman. Read More

Photo by Keith Stewart
Okaw Valley senior Devon Still hoists the team’s super-sectional plaque into the air for the home crowd to see Tuesday night in Champaign after he and the Timberwolves defeated Princeville 6-5.

Still going, OV baseball wins super-sectional Tuesday 6-5 to advance to state

June 3, 2015

By Matt Kracht
NP Sports Reporter

Lefty Devon Still had a game to remember Tuesday night in Champaign, pitching all seven innings to tally 14 punch-outs and earning his 11th victory on the season. Still also drove home the game winning run in walk-off fashion sending Okaw Valley to the team’s first final four state qualifier.
“Now having kids will be the second happiest day of my life,” said Still. “I can’t believe it. It’s something I dreamed of as a kid, but I never really pictured me in that position, but now we’re here.”
Leading by one run, 5-4, heading in to the top of the seventh inning Okaw Valley was three outs from advancing, but Princeville had other ideas.
The Princes got the lead-off runner on due to a throwing error and brought him around to score on a swinging bunt with two outs to tie the game and put the pressure back on Okaw Valley.
“It was more motivating actually,” said Peyton Hagerman. “There were a few people with their heads down. Fritz and I were ripping their heads back up. Garrett walked up to me and said, ‘You’re getting on, and I’m hitting you in.’ And I said, ‘Deal.’ Then I got on, Taylor got on, Garrett got on, and then Devon, he had himself a day.” Read More