Driscoll over St. Francis 50-21

Talk about a tough crowd.

Driscoll led St. Francis by 36 points when the Highlanders' second-team defense got in Saturday, late in the third quarter at Robert A. Barth Field in Addison.

Driscoll went on to beat the Spartans 50-21. Quarterback David Schwabe ran for 2 touchdowns and threw for 2. Tailback Tim Franken ran for 147 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Yet coach Mike Burzawa's postgame address was as fun as a case of mumps.

"We did come out a little flat," he said. "We had a lot of energy before the game. I think our subdued attitude to start the game … was a reflection on our week of preparation."

Still, after Driscoll (4-0, 2-0 Suburban Catholic Conference) outgained St. Francis 134-9 in the first quarter and shut out his offense till quarterback Jeff Reckards, receiver Bob Vonderhaar and fullback Stan Bobowski rallied late, St. Francis coach Greg Purnell was convinced.

"It was quite obvious," he said, "they just dominated the line of scrimmage."

Driscoll three-year starting lineman Kyle Sanders spoke for fellow hogs Vinny Miceli, Andrew O'Reilly, Anthony Arena and Mike Labadessa.

"We feel we're almost there," Sanders said. "We're never really going to be there, but we feel like we've just got to get better every week."

Driscoll went 73 yards in 10 plays on its first possession, Franken scoring on a 30-yard run aided by Schwabe's two downfield blocks.

St. Francis (1-3, 0-2) fumbled it right back to Driscoll linebacker Frank Barcal. On the last play of the first quarter, Schwabe hit Travis Kristie dragging the middle for a 10-yard touchdown catch.

Speedy Mark Kachmer answered with a 95-yard kickoff return to draw within 14-7.

The Spartans were down 21-7 when they drove for a first-and-10 at the Driscoll 17-yard line -- only to stall, then miss a 37-yard field goal.

Playing safety on defense, Schwabe's 22nd career interception -- 6 from the state record -- and serpentine 44-yard return set up his 7-yard quarterback draw to make Driscoll's halftime lead 28-7.

The Highlanders scored 2 third-quarter touchdowns before Bobowski tallied 2 himself in the fourth, 3- and 65-yard runs toward his total of 123 yards on 12 carries.

Not the finish Driscoll sought.

"We're just never satisfied," Barcal said. "We have to just fix up the little things and then get ready for next week."