Redskins Dealt Playoff Loss; End Season on a Positive Note with Bright Future

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photo by Greg Floyd
Kyle Corkill (2) takes the shuttle pass from Cooper Christensen (7) as Aian Fryman seeks out a defender to block. Corkill would have one touchdown reception and a kick-off return for a touchdown in the game.

•November 8, 2023•

by E. Scott England

Saturday morning started early for the SOV Redskins. They gathered as a team before eight o’clock for a team breakfast. A little after eight they were boarding buses. By a quarter after eight they were making their way out of town with streets lined with fans cheering them on. Fire trucks extended their ladders to wave giant SOV Redskins flags.

After about a two hour bus ride, the team disembarked at Richland County high school in Olney, Illinois for a team walk through on the Tigers’ field. They had a light lunch before boarding again and making the final leg of their journey to Mt. Carmel, where they came face-to-face with one of the most intimidating stadiums in Illinois high school football: Riverview Stadium. Or as it is more commonly known, The Snake Pit. Read More

Redskins Survive Challenge from Maroons; First Playoff Win in 22 Years

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Photo by Greg Floyd
Gavin Helmuth (77) and Adan Mills (50) join forces to bring down Clinton’s quarterback while a number of Redskins stand ready to help out if needed.

•November 1, 2023•

by E. Scott England

It can’t be said with complete certainty, but the week nine loss to the ALAH Knights might just have been the motivation SOV needed going into the first weekend of playoffs. Clinton came to Sullivan with a 6-3 record and a chip on their shoulder to finally win a playoff game in their school history. Unfortunately for the Maroons, they’ll have to wait until next season as the Redskins delivered their season-ending loss, 14-13. Read More

Iacobazzi Places in Top 20; Advances to State XC Meet in Peoria

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•November 1, 2023•

by E. Scott England

The IHSA Class 1A Cross Country Sectional was held at South Shores Park in Decatur last Saturday. The weather was a bit more fall like with cooler temps and a chill to the breeze, but that didn’t stop sophomore runner Johnathan Iacobazzi from cranking out a 16:25.89. His finish secured him 19th place and a spot in the state meet. The state meet will be held in Detweiller Park in Peoria this Saturday. The boys race is scheduled to be run at 10:00 a.m.

Redskins Volleyball Season Concludes; Drops Regional Match to Paris

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•November 1, 2023•

by E. Scott England

The Sullivan Redskins volleyball team faced Paris in the first round of regionals last Monday. The team gave it all they had but came up short against the Tigers, dropping the match in two sets 16-25, 25-27.

Tessa Seeley led the team in attacking with 7 kills in the evening. The senior also picked up an ace in five serve attempts. Emily Miller and Aeralyn Thrasher also had four kills apiece over the two sets. Also contributing to the 21 team kills were Kiley Dyer (3), Mayci Strauf (2), and Addison Stollard (1). Kendall Penberthy also had an ace.

The team finishes the season with an overall record of 9-23 (4-7). Many of the players will now turn their focus to basketball as they prepare for that season to get under way.

Preview: Second Round IHSA Class 3A Playoffs; Redskins at Golden Aces

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•November 1, 2023•

by E. Scott England

The late hall of fame coach Jerry Lane was the last Sullivan football coach to lead the Redskins to a week 11 playoff game. That was the 2001-2002 season. Coach John Bertetto has guided his team through a rebuilding effort to get them to week 11 in just his third season as head coach. It hasn’t been with growing pains though, but through those pains have been invaluable lessons that have put his team in this position. But as it is with any post season play, the competition doesn’t get easier with each week. In fact, SOV could be facing their toughest opponent they’ve seen in several decades.

The Snake Pit Read More

SOV JFL Heavyweights and Lightweight Win Division Conference Championship

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Members of the SOV JFL Heavyweights are: 00 Karson Ragsdale, 1 Aceon Fryman, 3 Alex Ingram, 5 Caysen Dyer, 6 Madyx Schwass, 7 Nixon Dundee, 11 Koda Plumb, 12 Ethan Smith, 13 Kaiden McKinney, 14 Kolton Kirby, 17 Liam Crouch, 20 Ethan Sims, 22 Rowdy Fayhee, 23 Ty Szabo, 40 Heath Tidwell, 43 Ronin Woods, 70 Cooper Husketh, 72 Asher Henry, 99 Kaeson McCoy.

•October 25, 2023•

Members of the SOV JFL Lightweights are 2 Mason Miller, 5 Kayden Randol, 6 Maddox Crist, 7 Colbert Harbin, 8 Axton Fryman, 11 Griffin Woods, 13 Zeke Hardesty, 15 Everett Finn, 16 Jesse Jones, 18 Cooper Pearce, 19 Jackson Williamson, 21 Boddie Collins, 23 Keegan Weaver, 26 Owen Moomaw, 34 Payton Schum, 36 Corbin Jungiewicz, 42 Luke Clevenger, 43 Cade Thompson, 45 David Ryherd, 49 Tyler Blickensderfer, 51 Wyatt Adams, 52 Jaxson Doty, 56 Will Flexser.

On Saturday, October 7, for the first time ever both Heavyweights and Lightweights won together undefeated (7-0) division conference championship against Tuscola. The Lightweight score was 67-13 and the Heavyweight score 24-18 with a triple overtime.

The boys celebrated at the SOV JFL banquet on Sunday, October 22nd at the VFW in Sullivan. To the community, family and friends “We are so proud of both teams and all their hard work and dedication this season. We’ve had an outstanding coaching staff . Thank you for volunteering your time and energy, getting to know each player and making them like family. We would also like to say thank you to everyone who supported all the boys and coaches, helping them this year be successful taking them to the next level. We’re all very proud of each and everyone of you. This one’s for you boys” 

REDSKINS ON 3 

1…2…3… REDSKINS

Knights Hand Redskins First Loss of the Season

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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

Redskins Volleyball Pick up One Win, Prepare for Regionals This Week

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•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

Sullivan XC Season Concludes at Regionals; Iacobazzi Advances

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•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