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St. Francis happy to be back home

This is a big year for St. Francis. Not just on the field but with the field.

After three seasons of playing home games at College of DuPage — “such gracious hosts,” Spartans coach Greg Purnell said — the school’s “Bring it Back Home” capital campaign produced Kuhn Memorial Stadium. It’ll be dedicated prior to St. Francis’ Week 1 home opener against Riverside-Brookfield.

“A lot of Spartans for years to come will enjoy the efforts and generosity of a lot of people,” said Purnell, a development officer who helped raise funds for the stadium.

A huge reason for on-field excitement is senior running back James Butler. He and classmate Justin Flood, a linebacker, transferred to St. Francis from Bartlett prior to their junior years but were ruled ineligible by the IHSA.

Butler already has several scholarship offers and attended camps at Michigan State, Purdue and Iowa. When last competing for Bartlett in 2011 he was an all-Upstate Eight pick who ran for 734 yards and 11 touchdowns and caught 22 passes for 292 yards and 2 touchdowns.

“He’s one of the most explosive young men I’ve ever coached,” Purnell said. “His ability as a receiver and a runner is probably as good as I’ve seen in 47 years.”

Only seniors James Kalfas and Mike Andlebradt return on the offensive line, but Purnell rattled off many young men who will be part of this team’s success: linemen John Vargyas, Kyle Griffith, Keegan Riccobene; “skill” players Jack Keefer, Joe Connelly, Steve Fassnacht, Chris Smith, Jack Infelise, Adam Hart, Tom Gitchell, Colin Doyle; quarterback Zach Prociuk; and running back-defensive end T.J. Jackson, who in 2012 led St. Francis with 554 yards and 8 touchdowns rushing.

In 2012 St. Francis was among 16 teams with five wins not to make the playoffs due to the playoff point tiebreaker. It’ll want that sixth win to make sure.

“We’ve had a good summer of preparation, we’ve got great energy and the kids are working extremely hard. We’ve developed really good chemistry as we start the season,” Purnell said.

The breakdown

Coach: Greg Purnell (seventh year, 42-21; 29th overall, 198-85).

2012 record: 5-4, 3-4, fifth in the Suburban Christian Blue.

Top players: Mike Andelbradt (OL-DL, 6-0, 235, sr.), James Butler (RB-DB, 5-9, 207, sr.), Colin Doyle (RB-DB, 5-9, 175, sr.), Justin Flood (LB, 5-8, 185, sr.), Tom Gitchell (WR-LB, 5-10, 175), Jack Infelice (WR-DB, 6-1, 180, sr.), T.J. Jackson (RB-DL, 6-1, 220, jr.), James Kalfas (OL-DL, 6-3, 255, sr.), John Vargyas (OL-LB, 6-0, 223, sr.)

Schedule

Fri, 8/30 Riverside-Brookfield at St. Francis 7 p.m.

Fri, 9/6 St. Francis at Plainfield South 7 p.m.

Fri, 9/13 St. Francis at Chicago Christian 7:30 p.m.

Fri, 9/20 St. Francis at Montini 7:30 p.m.

Fri, 9/27 Aurora Christian at St. Francis 7 p.m.

Fri, 10/4 St. Francis at Marian Central Catholic 7 p.m.

Fri, 10/11 St. Francis at Marmion 7:30 p.m.

Fri, 10/18 Guerin Prep at St. Francis 7 p.m.

Fri, 10/25 St. Edward at St. Francis 7 p.m.

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