
photo by Jeni Yantis
OV Volleyball Senior Night
OV volleyball celebrated senior night on October 16. Pictured are seniors Rissa Montgomery and Megan Roley.
photo by Jeni Yantis
OV Volleyball Senior Night
OV volleyball celebrated senior night on October 16. Pictured are seniors Rissa Montgomery and Megan Roley.
photo by Greg Floyd
Demarkus Moore (0) and Marshall Robison (53) stop ALAH’s Jayce Parsons.
•October 25, 2023•
by E. Scott England
Each team knew going in that one of the undefeated teams would have to walk off the field with their first loss of the season. Both Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond and Sullivan/Okaw Valley had already clinched playoff berths heading into Friday’s regular season finale, but the battle in Arthur was for the undisputed conference champion title and the much sought after undefeated record. In the end, the Knights came out victorious, delivering a stunning defeat to the Redskins with a final score of 42-13.
Trotting out onto the field for the first offensive set was a familiar number as Aian Fryman returned after missing the last two weeks due to an ankle injury. Fryman was tapped for the first handoff of the game, a three yard gain. After losing three yards on the next run, the junior running back picked up only four more yards on that drive. He would finish with just five yards rushing for the game. The Redskins’ first drive ended with a 48 yard touchdown pass from Cooper Christensen to Aiden Ballinger.
ALAH answered on their first possession as well. The Knights’ leading rushers, Jayce Parsons and Landon Waldrop showed the Redskins’ defense right off how difficult they would be to stop all evening. The Knights also effectively managed time, controlling much of the clock all game. The initial drive resulted in a touchdown off a one yard quarterback keeper by Parsons on a third and goal.
It looked as though momentum would shift to ALAH on the following kickoff when SOV mishandled the kick and the Knights recovered. Threatening to score for a second time in just two minutes, a bad snap from the one yard line resulted in a loss of 13 yards. The Knights couldn’t recover on that possession, eventually turning the ball over on downs. It appeared from there the game would continue to be a back and forth. SOV’s next possession was a three and out. ALAH fumbled on the first play of their next possession; SOV recovered. SOV fumbled on the first play of that possession; ALAH recovered. Read More
•October 25, 2023•
by E. Scott England
The Sullivan Redskins concluded regular season play for this volleyball season. The team picked up one win on the road last week while dropping two home matches. They finish the regular season with a record of 9-22.
Sullivan hosted Shelbyville last Monday. The Rams came into town looking to add to their 20-10 record. The Redskins struggled to put together anything on offense or defense. The team only recorded eight kills and one ace in the evening. Tessa Seeley led with three kills. Kiley Dyer had the team’s lone ace. Sullivan dropped the match in two sets 10-25, 16-25. Read More
•October 25, 2023•
by E. Scott England
The IHSA Class 1A Cross Country Regional was held at Tabor Park last Saturday. The conditions were near perfect for the mid-morning meet. Fifteen teams competed with Tuscola winning the for the boys and Tolono (Unity) taking home first for the girls.
The runners left nothing in the tank as they set off through the three mile course. The Lady Redskins ran first with Julia Moody crossing the line first for the team in 37th place. She was followed by Eiley Poe, Miracle Wilson, Allison Cullen, Bella Harden, and Brooklyn Booker. Unfortunately, neither the team nor individuals qualified for sectionals. Read More
•October 25, 2023•
by E. Scott England
Last season, the Sullivan/Okaw Valley Redskins went into the final week of the regular season with a 4-4 record. A win would secure a playoff spot. A loss would end their season. Standing in their way were the Clinton Maroons.
Rematch at Victory Field
Last year, Clinton arrived in Sullivan having already been eliminated from the playoffs. SOV had opened the season 4-1 before dropping three straight. They were also facing a situation they didn’t think they would have to face. Two weeks prior, quarterback Cooper Christensen broke his leg, sidelining him for the rest of the season. The signal calling duties shifted to Seth Forlines in week eight, but an injury to him put Kyle Corkill behind center for the matchup against Clinton. Read More
•October 18, 2023•
by E. Scott England
After taking a few days off, the Sullivan Redskins looked to continue their momentum from the conclusion of the previous week’s conference tournament.
They got to work first against the Clinton Maroons, a non-conference opponent. Clinton is one of Sullivan’s most equal adversaries of the season, boasting similar records and team makeup. This clearly showed as Sullivan had to battle to win the match in two sets; 26-24, 25-21. The Redskins out attacked with 25 kills compared to the Maroons 19. Tessa Seeley led the team with seven. Aeralyn Thrasher contributed with six while Mayci Strauf had five. Emily Miller stayed sharp behind the serving line leading the team with four aces. Kendall Penberthy had the other ace. Read More
•October 18, 2023•
by E. Scott England
The Sullivan Middle School Cross Country team capped off their season with both teams earning a spot in the state meet. The culminating meet featuring some of the best middle school runners in the state was held last Saturday at Maxwell Park in Normal, Illinois. Brimfield took home first in state for girls while El Paso-Gridley was the top team for the boys. Read More
•October 18, 2023•
Ethan Schmohe from Bethany, who is studying Biology at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, has earned a roster spot on the Warhawk men’s swimming and diving team for the 2023-24 season. The Warhawks finished fourth at last year’s Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championships. UW-Whitewater is coached by Elise Knoche, who enters her sixth season at the helm of the program. The team garnered the College Swimming Coaches Association of America Scholar All-America Award for the third straight season in 2022-23.
photo submitted
Davis Diepholz rounds a corner chasing down the runner ahead of him while trying to stay warm at Saturday’s frigid and wet invitational.
•October 18, 2023•
by E. Scott England
The Sullivan Redskins Cross Country team traveled to Effingham last Saturday for their last meet of the regular season. St. Anthony hosted their annual Bulldog Classic XC Invitational which featured 17 teams. Effingham captured first place for the girls while St. Teresa was the top team for the boys. Read More
photo by Greg Floyd
Kyle Corkill (2) looks downfield as he completes his 67 yard touchdown reception during the Friday, October 13 game against Tri-County.
•October 18, 2023•
by E. Scott England
Though the temperatures were warmer, the field conditions were wet and muddy as the Tri-County Titans came to Sullivan in search of their first win of the season. That elusive win wouldn’t be found at Victory Field for the Titans as the Redskins cruised to an easy victory playing without several key players.
Sullivan/Okaw Valley wasted no time getting to work in the first quarter. After receiving the opening kickoff, the Redskins only needed two plays for Cooper Christensen to go deep to senior Aiden Ballinger for a 60 yard touchdown pass with just a minute off the clock. On SOV’s next possession, Christensen connected with junior Seth Forlines for a 36 yard reception. Christensen connected with Ballinger on the next play for a 17 yard touchdown pass. Ballinger finished the game with 96 yards receiving. Christensen capped off the first quarter scoring frenzy with a 38 yard rushing touchdown. The junior quarterback had 55 yards rushing in the first half. Read More