Brock Phillip’s smart play in the final seconds helps St. Francis beat Providence for the 5A state title

NORMAL, Ill.— Some quick thinking from quarterback Brock Phillip led to St. Francis’ second state championship.

Phillip, trying to run the ball in for the game-winning touchdown, was stopped by Providence’s defensive line. He underhanded tossed the ball into the right corner of the end zone. The play was ruled an incomplete pass and stopped the clock with 17 seconds left.

St. Francis was out of timeouts. The move stopped the clock and two plays later Phillips ran in from the one-yard line to score and give the Spartans a 39-35 win against Providence in the Class 5A state title game.

The game was originally scheduled to be played on Saturday at ISU’s Hancock Stadium, but was postponed due to the snowstorm and moved to Tuesday afternoon.

Phillip was 14-for-25 for 226 yards and 1 TD. He had 23 carries for 144 yards and 5 TDs.

St. Francis, which missed an extra point and had one blocked, took its first lead on a seven-yard TD run by Phillip with 11:57 left in the fourth quarter.

Wide receiver Dario Milivojevic had six catches for 86 yards and one TD. Michigan State recruit Zach Washington had four catches for 113 yards.

St. Francis linebacker Chase Siguenza had 14 tackles for the Spartans, who struggled to stop Providence’s running game.

The Spartans only other football state championship was a Class 5A title in 2008.

It’s unlikely that many observers outside of Providence’s team believed the Celtics could even reach the state championship game this season. They have a slew of underclassmen in key positions, including sophomore quarterback Dominic Vita, sophomore running back Brayden McKay and junior running back Broden Mackert.

Those young players all produced in the state title game.

Vita was 7-for-10 for 137 yards passing with one touchdown. He had 11 carries for 56 yards and 2 TDs.

McKay scored on a three-yard run in the third quarter to put the Celtics (11-3) ahead 28-20 late in the third quarter.

Mackert had 17 carries for 126 yards and one TD.

Providence’s last title was the Class 7A crown in 2014. The Celtics also won championships in 2004, 2002, 2001, 1997, 1994, 1991 and 1987.

Check back later for more, including reaction from St. Francis and Providence players and coaches.