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St. Francis\u2019 bus ride back to Wheaton will be longer and happier than Kenwood\u2019s short ride north from Gately Stadium, but both teams will sit back and reflect on a season opener in which they flashed tremendous potential and heart.<\/p>\n
The No. 18 Spartans came back to win 38-34 on Thursday thanks to a four-yard touchdown pass from Brock Phillip to Dario Milivojevic with 12 seconds left.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe just believed in ourselves in that moment and made it happen,\u201d Phillip said.\u201d<\/p>\n
St. Francis trailed 34-24 after Kenwood\u2019s Kenyonte Louis scampered for a 9-yard TD run late in the third quarter.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe made a couple of mistakes in that third quarter and then in the fourth we started gaining momentum,\u201d Milivojevic said. \u201cWe had to persevere and drive through and win that football game.\u201d<\/p>\n
It was the first start for Phillip, a senior transfer from Geneva.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have a lot to prove,\u201d Phillip said. \u201cI\u2019m excited about that and to be part of this team and everything we have going on here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Phillip was 18-for-24 for 311 yards and four touchdowns.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have great on and off field chemistry with Brock, but it\u2019s about adjusting to the game atmosphere,\u201d Milivojevic said. \u201cOn the road, first game ever with him. We just needed some time, and then we did alright.\u201d<\/p>\n
St. Francis\u2019 Brock Phillip (1) looks for a receiver against Kenwood.<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/p>\n Kirsten Stickney\/For the Sun-Times<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Milivojevic had six receptions for 114 yards and two touchdowns. Tanner Glock caught eight passes for 137 yards and one touchdown. Michigan State recruit Zach Washington caught a 23-yard TD pass in the third quarter to pull St. Francis within 28-24.<\/p>\n The Spartans needed all of those aerial fireworks because Kenwood\u2019s defensive line was stout. The Broncos held St. Francis to -30 rushing yards. Junior Aaron Smith and senior Kameron Love each sacked Phillips twice. Kenwood had six sacks overall.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019d like to have a little more depth on defense, but the guys we have are conditioned well and they fight to the end,\u201d Broncos coach Chris Goffer said.<\/p>\n It was a back-and-forth game. St. Francis led 14-0 in the second quarter. Kenwood led 21-14 at halftime after a touchdown run from Jayvon Anderson (11 carries, 75 yards) and two from Louis (16 carries, 83 yards).<\/p>\n \u201cWe lost this game last year by six points, and we\u2019ve been waiting for it,\u201d Goffer said. \u201cI still don\u2019t feel like they beat us. We beat ourselves in the end.\u201d<\/p>\n Kenwood had the ball and a 34-31 lead with 4:40 left in the game. The Broncos picked up back-to-back delay of game penalties and then St. Francis blocked their punt.<\/p>\n \u201c[Kenwood] definitely surprised a lot of people,\u201d Milivojevic said. \u201cThey have some great playmakers, and [Louis] is really good.\u201d<\/p>\n Kenwood had 2 TDs called back for holding on the opening drive. Then St. Francis strikes first. <\/p>\n Brock Phillip to Tanner Glock for a 50-yard TD. <\/p>\n St. Francis 7, Kenwood 0 pic.twitter.com\/DQA9oXvNM1<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Michael O’Brien (@michaelsobrien) August 29, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n