The Journey of St. Francis Football: Achieving Success Against the Odds

Football programs like St. Francis face unique challenges, especially when compared to larger schools. Last weekend, St. Francis fielded about 30 players during a trip to suburban Indianapolis. Their opponents, New Palestine, the reigning Indiana state champions, had twice as many players. Yet, for the Spartans, this scenario was familiar.

Before claiming the Class 5A state title last fall, St. Francis secured a victory over Loyola in 2024, the largest private school in the Chicago area. Peyton Shipley, now a senior outside linebacker and receiver, recalls that game vividly. “I remember warm-ups the most,” Shipley said. “We had about 35 players; they seemed like they had 130. It was wild to see.” That game ended with the Spartans defeating Loyola 35-21 on the road. Loyola later won the 8A state title.

Coach Bob McMillen, who joined St. Francis in 2017, brought the team through difficult times. Initially, the school suffered two consecutive 1-8 seasons. However, joining the Catholic League from the Metro Suburban Conference marked a turning point. McMillen says, “I’ve been very fortunate with having great coaches and getting the right kids for our program.” McMillen’s background at IC Catholic in Elmhurst, another small yet accomplished school, aligns with the culture at St. Francis.

In the western suburbs, St. Francis is a relatively large private school with an enrollment of 684, as per the Illinois High School Association. Comparatively, Montini has 551 students, and IC Catholic has 277. This season, all three schools aim for state titles. Senior kicker Evan Kolinski finds deeper connections at a small school. “I have a bond with these guys because we’re in all the same classes,” Kolinski shared.

St. Francis’ unique traits extend beyond football. They have won 14 state titles in girls’ volleyball and play on a distinctive black-and-blue turf field. They are also sponsored by Battle Sports, allowing them to use varied uniforms and helmets. “We’re like the Oregon of high school football,” McMillen mentioned. The administration values athletics as a crucial part of the school’s identity.

Developing quarterbacks has been a strong point for St. Francis. Alumni such as Tommy Rittenhouse, who led Illinois State to the FCS title game, and Alessio Milivojevic, the current starter at Michigan State, exemplify this. This skill came in handy during the game at New Palestine.

However, a setback occurred when junior quarterback Jadon Wilson, a transfer from East St. Louis, sustained an injury. The Spartans couldn’t maintain their early lead of 17-7. Key player and senior running back Tivias Caldwell Jr. had a notable 80-yard touchdown right before halftime. Caldwell, who grew up in Bolingbrook, always intended to play for St. Francis. “It felt right, the brotherhood and our shared tenacity,” Caldwell emphasized.

In the case of St. Francis, strength in numbers doesn’t apply. They might consider the motto, “It only takes 11,” fitting for their black-and-blue turf.