St. Francis: Football Success in Small-Scale Suburban Schools

St. Francis High School stands out as a football powerhouse despite having a considerably smaller team than its opponents. Last weekend, St. Francis had about 30 players in Indianapolis against New Palestine, the two-time defending Indiana state champion, which fielded twice the players. This scenario is familiar for the Spartans.

Before winning the Class 5A state title last fall, one of the team’s notable victories under Coach Bob McMillen occurred in 2024. They beat Loyola, Chicago’s largest private school. Senior outside linebacker and receiver Peyton Shipley remembers that event vividly. “We were warming up with like 35 dudes. They had like 130. It was crazy,” Shipley recounted. The Spartans triumphed 35-21, while Loyola claimed the 8A state title later that year.

St. Francis has experienced a dynamic journey under McMillen since he took charge in 2017, starting with back-to-back 1-8 seasons. Four years ago, they joined the Catholic League after leaving the Metro Suburban Conference. “I’ve just been very fortunate,” McMillen said regarding his tenure. “I have some really good coaches and the right type of kid that fits our program.”

McMillen is a fitting choice for St. Francis as he attended IC Catholic in Elmhurst, another small private school with success in sports. Within Wheaton’s western suburbs, St. Francis is relatively large with 684 students, according to the Illinois High School Association. For comparison, Montini has 551, and IC Catholic is listed with 277. All three aim for state titles this fall.

Senior kicker Evan Kolinski shares his perspective on small-school experiences. “I feel like I created a deeper bond with these guys because they’re in every single one of my classes,” he stated.

St. Francis boasts unique features that add character to its athletic identity. Their eye-catching black-and-blue turf field, combined with sponsorship by Battle Sports, allows diverse uniform combinations and three helmet styles. “We’re like the Oregon of high school football,” McMillen noted. He appreciates administration support for both football and athletics in general.

A key to St. Francis’s success has been quarterback development. Recent alumni Tommy Rittenhouse and Alessio Milivojevic have excelled in college football at Illinois State and Michigan State, respectively.

The quarterback factor played into their game at New Palestine last week. Junior quarterback Jadon Wilson, an East St. Louis transfer, was injured, and St. Francis faltered after leading 17-7 early. Senior running back Tivias Caldwell Jr. provided a crucial 80-yard touchdown run before halftime, granting them a 10-point advantage. Caldwell, a Bolingbrook native, had always aimed for St. Francis, citing chemistry and its brotherhood atmosphere. “I think it was the right choice because it was just a brotherhood, and then the tenacity we all have,” Caldwell said.

Strength in numbers is not St. Francis’s strategy. Perhaps they should consider writing, “It only takes 11” on their distinctive black-and-blue turf.