Preview: St. Francis

Lights on for St. Francis - on the field and, the plan is, on the scoreboard.

There will be a "white-out" in Wheaton tonight when the Spartans play their first game under new permanent lighting.

That'll help illuminate an offense that with many starters returning should be able to score points.

The principals are returning backs Mark Kachmer - a three-year starter who at the 2008 Suburban Catholic Conference track meet placed first in the 400-meter dash and second in both the 100 and 200 - and rugged Stan Bobowski. They ran for a respective 934 and 718 yards last season.

The Spartans also have second-year starters in receiver Brett Robinson and quarterback Jeff Reckards.

"When you get four starters back in the backfield you should be able to do some things," Purnell said.

That will depend, of course, on the guys doing the blocking - and if the Spartans defense can stop somebody.

In 2007 St. Francis averaged 24.8 points a game but allowed 32.9. Part of that is adjusting to the schemes of Purnell in his first season. That period is over.

The defense returns the likes of Jason Lombardi and the top two tacklers from last season, Ryan O'Donnell and Ryan Ferguson. St. Francis will also be buoyed by juniors from last year's 8-0-1 sophomore season.

With the numbers increasing, depth returning and good team speed, Purnell is "cautiously optimistic."

"The bottom line is we've got to win some games to get this thing really rolling," he said. "That's why defensive football is so important for us this year."