St. Francis playoff eligible after roughing up St. Edward

THE SKINNY

It was evident which team had more on the line. St. Francis (5-4) played exactly like a team fighting for a playoff berth by taking a critical step toward its fifth postseason appearance in the past six years in a 50-8 victory. St. Edward (5-4) had already secured playoff eligibility.

THE TURNING POINT

A 30-yard touchdown pass from Zach Prociuk to Jack Ahern put the Spartans up 21-0 with 48 seconds left in the first half and opened the floodgates. Moments later the Spartans recovered an on-side kick, and three plays later Prociuk and Ahern hooked up on another TD strike.

THE STAR

The junior Prociuk completed 8-of-11 passes for 151 yards and three touchdowns.

BY THE NUMBERS

St. Edward’s Davontae Elam rushed for 118 yards. He broke the school’s all-time single season rushing record with a 59-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

QUOTABLE

“We knew we needed this win to make the playoffs. We prepared well all week and executed well tonight. My O-line gave me plenty of time to throw the ball and my receivers did the rest.” — Prociuk