When the Fenwick High School football team lost 30-20 at St. Ignatius on Sept. 11, it marked the first time the defending IHSA Class 6A state champions had experienced the agony of defeat since Week 9 of last season.
The Friars were eager to get that bitter taste out of their mouths Friday night as they visited Wheaton St. Francis in a Chicago Catholic League crossover contest. But it was going to be a challenge against the defending 5A champion Spartans, even though they had won just one of their first four games this year. Plus, it was their homecoming, which meant extra energy and effort forthcoming.
Given the environment, it was imperative for Fenwick to live up to its motto of “FenwickFAST.” The Friars jumped out to a three-score lead, and the early cushion was enough as they secured a 28-21 victory.
“Last week’s loss was definitely tough playing our rivals. We didn’t play our best game,” said Fenwick linebacker Ronan Morrissey, who posted a team-high nine tackles. “To come out the week after and play a tough opponent like St. Francis and get the win is crucial in building momentum.”
A 22-yard return on the opening kickoff by Ryan Caraher set up Fenwick (4-1) in good field position on its 43. Quarterback Myles Hill (12-of-16 for 176 yards passing; 6 carries, 59 yards rushing) completed passes of 25 yards to Jimmy Watts and 21 yards to Jake Thies to quickly move the Friars into the St. Francis red zone. Thies (5 receptions, 97 yards; 13 carries, 42 yards) scored from 3 yards out to give Fenwick a 7-0 lead just 83 seconds into the contest.
After getting a three-and-out defensively, it took the Friars only five plays to drive 45 yards for their next score, a 3-yard Rocco Nero run, that provided a 14-0 lead at the 7:10 mark of the first quarter. When Hill connected with Thies on a swing pass to the right for a 39-yard touchdown on the first play of the second quarter, Fenwick had what seemed a commanding 21-0 lead.
With its back up against the proverbial wall, St. Francis (1-4) started to rally on the next possession with a 9-yard touchdown run from Tivias Caldwell. Then just before halftime, the Spartans had an opportunity to draw closer with the ball on the Fenwick 9. But Jadon Wilson was intercepted in the end zone by Jack Rooney with 8.9 seconds left as Fenwick maintained a two-score lead.
“That was huge to keep it 21-7 at halftime,” Morrissey said.
Following a scoreless third quarter, Wilson hit Alijah Valeri for a 23-yard touchdown with 11:13 remaining to make the score 21-14. After each team got a defensive stop, Fenwick was seeking breathing room. And the Friars got it with a 32-yard run by Thies, followed by a 25-yard touchdown on a Hill keeper to the right that made the score 28-14 with 6:39 to play.
“I read my blocks. Rocco and the offensive line did a great job and my receivers were blocking. I just chased a gaping unit as Coach Battaglia says and the rest is history,” Hill said.
St. Francis wasn’t done, however, and the Spartans used Wilson’s passing and running to march back downfield. Wilson’s 1-yard score with 4:31 left made it 28-21.
On Fenwick’s next drive, Hill picked up a pair of critical first downs with an 11-yard pass to Watts and a 7-yard run on 3rd and 4. The conversions forced St. Francis to use all its timeouts before Fenwick punted with 1:43 remaining.
The Spartans needed to go 70 yards for a score, but four consecutive Wilson incompletions sealed the game for the Friars.
“It was a tough four-quarter battle,” Thies said. “We just stayed together, kept fighting, and got the job done tonight.”
Fenwick has its homecoming game versus Providence Catholic at Triton College, Sept. 25, at 7 p.m. The Friars know they need to keep grinding.
“We need all three facets playing together at the same time,” Battaglia said. “Let’s not make it as close as (St. Francis).”
“Keep progressing every day and keep stacking days,” Hill said. “We’ve got to keep getting better, know that the schedule isn’t going to get any easier, and come together as a team down the stretch.”