St. Francis stuns Bishop McNamara

A gutsy decision gave St. Francis one of its biggest victories in years.

Trailing 43-40 with three seconds left and the football at Bishop McNamara's 4-yard line, Spartans coach Bob McMillen elected to run a play to win the game rather than attempt a game-tying field goal Quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse found receiver Jake Tangorra on a quick slant pattern for the game-winning touchdown in a 46-43 victory Saturday in Kankakee. St. Francis improved to 4-1 overall and 2-0 in the Metro Suburban Conference Blue Division.

Bishop McNamara (2-3, 1-2), ranked sixth in Class 4A, had scored with 1:20 left in the fourth quarter. Mike Baffa's long kickoff return gave St. Francis possession at the 50-yard line.

"Pretty much it was whoever had the ball last is what it came down to," McMillen said.

Rittenhouse completed 26 of 44 passes for 365 yards and 5 touchdowns. Tyler Bishop caught 10 passes for 139 yards, 3 touchdowns. Jackson Gerard caught 6 passes for 118 yards and a touchdown and Tangorra caught 6 passes for 63 yards. Ben Radel ran the ball 10 times for 73 yards, 2 touchdowns. The Spartans scored on 7 of 9 offensive possessions.

"I think this is the biggest win we've had here in our three years (with McMillen as coach)," McMillen said. "That was a real good Bishop McNamara team that played in the (Class 4A) state championship last year."
 
 

St. Francis High School