Who had the top performances for St. Francis in the Class 5A state title football game?
It seems like only yesterday we geared up for season openers.
Even with an extra week of games due to the weather, carrying the season into December, it’s hard to believe we just put a wrap on IHSA football for 2025.
But we’ve still got a few things to get off our chest, starting with kudos to St. Francis for winning the Class 5A championship in a game delayed by three days due to a snowstorm.
This edition of the High Five honors the top performances by the Spartans in last week’s 39-35 victory over Providence.
5. Cooper Paukstis, OL
The Spartans don’t pile up 21 first downs, 429 total yards and drive 62 yards in 17 plays and six minutes to close the fourth quarter without their talented offensive line led by Paukstis at guard and Matt Anderson at tackle.
Paukstis, a 6-foot-1, 262-pound senior, not only led on the offensive line, he also put in a nice game on defense. He finished with 4 tackles including 3 solos, 1.5 for loss and a sack.
4. Peyton Shipley, LB
The Spartans allowed plenty of points and yardage to Providence, but the unit stood tall when needed the most. That included the Celtics’ opening drive of the fourth quarter that ended in a three-and-out.
Shipley, a 5-9, 187-pound junior, continually found himself around the ball while recording a team-high 13 tackles.
3. Zach Washington, WR-DB
A day before affirming his commitment to Michigan State University at the start of the early signing period, Washington excelled on both sides of the ball for the Spartans.
On offense, the 6-2, 175-pound senior snared 4 catches for 114 yards — an average of 28.5 yards per catch — while also carrying the ball once for a 10-yard gain.
In the waning seconds, after St. Francis took its 39-35 lead, Washington intercepted a Hail Mary pass from Providence quarterback Dominic Vita to seal the Spartans’ second state championship and first since 2008.
2. Dario Milivojevic, WR
All season long, Milivojevic was a steady and reliable receiver while leading the team with 52 catches for 1,030 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Last week’s title game was no different.
The 5-11, 175-pound senior had 6 catches for 86 yards and an 18-yard touchdown catch late in the first quarter to get the Spartans on the scoreboard.
1. Brock Phillip, QB
A no-brainer for the top spot, Phillip put in one of the top efforts in any of the eight title games.
The senior first-year starter had a hand in all six St. Francis touchdowns, throwing the first one to Milivojevic and rushing for five more. The final burst to the end zone, a 1-yarder with 11 seconds left in the game, rallied the Spartans to their margin of victory.
Phillip completed 14 of 25 passes for 226 yards while carrying the ball 23 times for 144 yards.