Will St Francis Football Make a Playoff Run This Season?
As I sit here watching the St Francis football team practice on this crisp autumn afternoon, I can't help but wonder if this might finally be their year. Having followed this program closely for nearly a decade, I've seen promising seasons crumble and unexpected triumphs unfold. This year feels different somehow - there's an energy around the team that I haven't felt since their memorable 2018 campaign. The question on everyone's mind is whether St Francis football can make a serious playoff run this season, and I believe they've got a legitimate shot if several key factors fall into place.
Looking at the playoff structure, which sends the top two teams from the semifinals to a best-of-three championship series while relegating the bottom two to a single-game battle for third place, St Francis faces both opportunity and challenge. The margin for error is incredibly thin - one bad game at the wrong moment could derail their championship aspirations entirely. Last season, they finished with a 7-3 record, just missing the top two spots by what amounted to a single touchdown across two critical games. This year, their roster features 18 returning starters, including quarterback Mike Johnson, who threw for 2,847 yards and 28 touchdowns last season. Those numbers aren't just impressive - they're championship-caliber statistics that could propel this team deep into the postseason.
What really excites me about this year's squad is their defensive improvement. Last season, they allowed an average of 24.3 points per game, which placed them squarely in the middle of the conference. Through the first five games this year, that number has dropped to 18.6 points allowed per game. Defensive coordinator Mark Williams has implemented a more aggressive scheme that perfectly suits their personnel. I've watched every game this season, and the difference in their defensive line play is night and day. They're generating consistent pressure without blitzing, which allows their secondary to play more disciplined coverage. In a playoff scenario where every possession matters, this defensive transformation could be the difference between playing for a championship or settling for third place.
The schedule ahead presents both challenges and opportunities. Their remaining opponents have a combined winning percentage of .583, including two games against teams currently ranked in the state's top ten. I've circled November 12th on my calendar - that's when they face Jefferson High, who eliminated them from playoff contention last year with a heartbreaking 31-28 overtime victory. That game will tell us everything we need to know about this team's championship mettle. Having spoken with several players after practice last week, I can tell you they haven't forgotten that loss. There's a quiet determination in that locker room that you only see in teams capable of special seasons.
Offensively, they need to maintain balance. While Johnson's arm talent is undeniable, their playoff hopes might actually rest on the development of their running game. Last season, they averaged just 3.8 yards per carry - a number that must improve to around 4.5 if they want to control games against elite competition. The good news is that sophomore running back David Chen has shown flashes of brilliance, averaging 5.2 yards per carry in limited action. If Coach Roberts gives him more touches, this offense could become truly multidimensional rather than relying so heavily on Johnson's right arm. I'd like to see them incorporate more play-action passes early in games to keep defenses honest.
Injuries have been kind to them so far - they've avoided significant losses to key players through the first half of the season. But depth remains a concern, particularly along the offensive line where they're essentially three deep rather than five. If one of their starting tackles goes down, the entire offensive scheme could be compromised. I've seen this scenario play out before with other teams - a single injury at the wrong position can unravel an otherwise promising season. The coaching staff needs to develop their backups quickly over the coming weeks.
The mental aspect cannot be overlooked either. This program has developed something of a reputation for faltering in big games over the past five years. They're 2-7 in games decided by seven points or fewer during that span, including three such losses last season alone. Championship teams find ways to win close games, while good teams find ways to lose them. From what I've observed, the leadership council they established this offseason - comprised of six players from different class years - has helped change the team's mentality during pressure situations. They're practicing late-game scenarios with more purpose and intensity than I've ever seen from a St Francis team.
Looking at the broader conference landscape, I'd estimate there are four legitimate contenders for those two championship series spots. St Francis currently sits third in my power rankings, but they're trending upward while one of the teams ahead of them appears to be regressing. My prediction? They'll finish the regular season 9-2, good enough for second place and a spot in the best-of-three championship series. From there, anything can happen in a short series where matchups matter more than overall records. I genuinely believe this team has the talent and coaching to win it all, though they'll need some breaks along the way.
What ultimately gives me confidence in this team is their resilience. Earlier this season, they trailed Central High by 17 points in the fourth quarter before mounting an improbable comeback victory. Teams that can win games they have no business winning often develop the kind of character that serves them well in playoff pressure cookers. The championship path won't be easy - it never is - but I like their chances more than I have in years. They've got the talent, they're developing the mentality, and they're peaking at the right time. When the semifinals conclude, I expect to see St Francis preparing for that best-of-three series rather than that single-game consolation battle for third place. This could be the year they finally break through and bring home that championship trophy we've all been waiting for.
