Fast start paces the Spartans to victory

Updated: September 17, 2011 12:58AM

Jack Petrando and Nate Baratta each scored three touchdowns to lead St. Francis over visiting Wheaton Academy 56-12.

It was 14-0 before the Spartans’ (3-1, 1-1) offense even took the field. Petrando opened the scoring with a 65-yard interception return for a touchdown. On the very next series, Dan Beck intercepted a tipped pass and ran it into the end zone from 26 yards out.

When the St. Francis took the field its running game kept the momentum. Jack Petrando added his second and third scores of the game on the ground from one and 40 yards out respectively. He ended the game with 97 yards rushing.

Before halftime, Nick Baratta tallied his first score on a 24-yard screen play to put the Spartans on top 35-0.

Nick Donati started the scoring in the second half for St. Francis with a 20-yard touchdown run. After a fumble recovery on the next possession, Baratta added his second touchdown on a run from from 20 yards out.

The Warriors (0-4, 0-2) got on the board with a 73-yard touchdown run from Joel Swick, his only carry of the night.

Baratta answered the score with his third touchdown, a 56-yard scamper after several broken tackles. He ended the night with 82 yards rushing and 31 yards receiving.

Matt Lindsay rounded out the scoring with a 38-yard touchdown reception for Wheaton Academy.

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