By Bobby Narang –
Aurora Christian High School became the latest team to witness St. Francis’ amazing turnaround.
After finishing last season with a 1-8 record, the Spartans have become one of the feel-good storylines of the Chicagoland high school football scene.
Last season, St. Francis won its first game, but then lost eight in a row, including a tough 34-32 decision to Aurora Central Catholic in week two. The Spartans ended their season with a forfeit, a 48-0 loss at Fenwick, and a 49-7 defeat against Montini. In all, the Spartans scored 17 total points in their last six games.
This season, St. Francis is 5-1 overall and 2-1 in the Metro Suburban Blue following a 28-20 victory over visiting Aurora Christian Friday. The Spartans opened the season with four straight victories before losing, 51-20, to talented Bishop McNamara in week five. Aurora Christian dropped to 4-2 and 2-2.
With the victory, St. Francis is playoff-eligible. St. Francis quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse sparked the victory over Aurora Christian with 224 yards passing and three touchdowns.
“This was huge for us to get this win,” Rittenhouse said. “We really wanted this win. We played better in the second half and performed well.”
St. Francis head football coach Bob McMillen gave credit to Rittenhouse’s strong play for sparking the Spartans, but he noted the team took a major step with a solid first-half effort on defense.
“It’s a great accomplishment for these boys,” McMillen said. “Aurora Christian is a phenomenal team. We were able to knock their quarterback out and they knocked our running back out. I give a lot of credit to our boys. They kept fighting on defense, made some big plays and we shut them off in the second half and did some damage.”
Aurora Christian’s Josh Dornink had a 65-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter and Trey Madsen scored on an 85-yard scamper in the second quarter.
“We played well, but you have to give credit to (St. Francis),” Aurora Christian head coach David Beebe said.
Aurora Christian will have a tough test Friday against Bishop McNamara, 5-1 and 3-1 in the Metro Suburban Blue. The Fighting Irish lead the conference in scoring with 282 points and rank second in defensive with 81 points allowed. Bishop McNamara’s lone loss was a 21-20 defeat against two-time defending state champion IC Catholic in week four. St. Francis will play host to Riverside-Brookfield Friday.