‘Compete’ was the key at Naperville North 7-on-7

The consensus among football coaches was simply to compete.

St. Francis executed the mission throughout Naperville North’s Windy City Classic 7-on-7 Tournament and Lineman Challenge on Thursday.

The Spartans won their first title at the third running of the event, beating Minooka 25-8 in the championship.

St. Francis’ linemen also were runner-up to overall Lineman Challenge winner Lincoln-Way East in the always-popular tug of war.

“Really it’s just the first step for us,” said senior receiver Dario Milivojevic, who caught three touchdown passes, one a one-handed grab he made look easy, against 2023 winner Minooka in the title game.

“We have a new (offensive coordinator), coach Lonny (Stare), he’s great. We were just a little sloppy in the beginning, but we were getting used to it,” Milivojevic said.

“We haven’t even had a practice, we start practice on Monday,” said St. Francis coach Bob McMillen, who has led the Spartans to three straight Class 5A semifinals.

“That’s why you hear our coaches screaming and trying to put kids in positions, because we don’t know where they’re at right now.”

Glenbard West, Hinsdale Central, Neuqua Valley also were in the field along with the host.

“I love that we have great teams that come out,” said Naperville North coach Sean Drendel. “I know it’s a long day for all of us, but I think having the lineman challenge makes it kind of special. Your whole team should be here and active. That’s what high school sports and high school football is all about.”

St. Francis didn’t come out of pool play unscathed. Glenbard West beat the Spartans 31-16 in a win capped by 6-foot-4 tight end Brady Johnson’s leaping touchdown grab.

Johnson is a team leader along with players like returning starting linebacker Maximus Hetlet, the senior son of Hilltoppers coach Chad Hetlet.

On a hot day when Naperville North trainers said the breeze and some cloud cover were saving graces in allowing the competition, according to their wet bulb globe thermometer, Glenbard West toughed it out.

“We’re camping this morning and we’re here doing this, so if anything we’re building toughness and I think our kids did a good job in this third straight game of overcoming it. So I’m really excited about how we competed,” Chad Hetlet said.

Though some teams have only just started their 20 contact days of summer — this year down from 25 — Naperville Central has been practicing steadily.

“The best thing is just getting to see our kids compete against other teams,” said coach Mike Ulreich, who led the Redhawks to the 2024 Class 8A semifinals. “We’ve been going for four weeks and it’s us against us. It’s fun to see other teams and it’s fun to watch our guys be in competitive environments, that’s the biggest thing.”

Naperville Central senior safety Andrew Applegate’s goal was simply to do his one-seventh.

“Just looking to make sure I do my job so the rest of the guys on the field can do theirs,” he said. “I’m looking at the inside receivers, the slots, make sure I cover everything deep and hustle to the ball.”