The St. Francis football team, often seen as a powerhouse, operates on a smaller scale compared to some rivals. Last weekend, St. Francis fielded about 30 players against New Palestine, the defending Indiana state champions, who had twice that number. This isn’t unusual for them; until winning the Class 5A state title last fall, their standout victory came in 2024 against Loyola, Chicago’s largest private school.
Peyton Shipley, a senior outside linebacker and receiver, recalls that game vividly. He noticed the disparity during warm-ups, stating, “We were warming up with like 35 dudes. They had, I don’t even know, like 130.” Despite the odds, St. Francis won 35-21. Loyola later captured the 8A state title that year.
Bob McMillen took over as coach in 2017, transforming the team from back-to-back 1-8 seasons. Prior to joining the Catholic League, St. Francis competed in the Metro Suburban Conference. McMillen credits strong coaching and the right student-athletes for their success.
St. Francis is one of the larger private schools in western suburbs with an enrollment of 684. For comparison, Montini has 551 students and IC Catholic 277. Senior kicker Evan Kolinski appreciates the close-knit environment, saying, “I feel like I created a deeper bond with these guys, because they’re in every single one of my classes.”
The Spartans play on a unique black-and-blue turf and are sponsored by Battle Sports, allowing for varied uniform designs. “We’re like the Oregon of high school football,” said McMillen. The school acknowledges the importance of athletics, which extends beyond football.
Quarterback development has been pivotal. Tommy Rittenhouse and Alessio Milivojevic are notable alumni, now representing Illinois State and Michigan State, respectively. Recently, in New Palestine, junior quarterback Jadon Wilson was injured, affecting the team’s 17-7 lead.
Senior running back Tivias Caldwell Jr. made a significant impact with an 80-yard touchdown run before halftime. Caldwell, who has played on the school’s turf since youth, reflects on his choice: “This was my youth team’s home field. It was just a brotherhood and the tenacity we all have.”
Though numbers might suggest otherwise, St. Francis exemplifies the belief: “It only takes 11.”
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