Colonels march on

Parker's Jordan Frank celebrates a goal at the end of the first period to the dismay of Morgan Park's John Boarden.
(Stacia Timonere/for the Sun-Times)

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It was hard to figure out who was more excited following Francis Parker's 4-1 victory over Morgan Park Academy Monday evening in Chicago.

As the Francis Parker players danced around the middle of the field in excitement after earning their first state berth in school history, the student body rushed the field to join in. But some were wondering if the student body was energized because of the win or the chance of missing school on Friday?

The Colonels (17-5-2) will face Macomb/Central Catholic at 11 a.m. Friday in state quarterfinal action at North Central College in Naperville.

"This is history in the making," said Francis Parker defender Zac Ginsburg, who played a key role in helping the Colonels avenge an early season loss to the Mustangs (15-5-1). "This is a big victory to help this program and the school get over the hump."

Adam Weisman scored two goals while Tommy Rosenbluth and Jordan Frank also tallied for Francis Parker, which scored two goals in the final 15 minutes to blow the game open.

"As the saying goes, we're peaking at the right time," said Francis Parker coach Neil Curran, whose 28-2 team fell short in the sectional finals two years ago.

"We can go 16 players deep, and we're just playing really well right now. These kids are excited, and they've worked hard for this."