By Jarrod Prugar
For the Mirror
LORETTO — Sacred Heart kicked a last-second 40-yard field goal to edge Saint Francis 37-34 at DeGol Field Saturday afternoon.
It marked the first loss in front of the Frankie faithful since Nov. 6, 2021, also a loss to the Pioneers which also came down to a last-second field goal.
That loss saw a missed field goal keep the Red Flash from the win column, while it was far more than a field goal that held Saint Francis back this year.
“We’re very disappointed,” Red Flash coach Chris Villarrial said of the North East Conference openerforboth teams. “That’s not the kind of performance that we want to put on.”
It was the conference and home opener for Saint Francis , who entered the game 0-3 with losses to Western Michigan, Robert Morris and Delaware to open the season. The game was marred by numerous mistakes that were uncharacteristic for the defending NEC champions.
“Going through the games that we’ve had, obviously, there’ve been too many mistakes at critical times,” Vilarrial said.
That was evident in Sacred Heart going 6-for-13 on third down, and four false starts by the offensive unit of the Red Flash. The mistakes aren’t limited to the bevy of newcomers who are suiting up for Saint Francis as the veterans are largely the culprits.
“Our journey doesn’t get any easier. We’re going on the road we’re going to Stonehill, so we obviously need some leadership to step up,” Villarrial said. “We have to stay together. Right now, I just don’t think we’re playing as a unit. I think we’re playing as separate units.”
Offensively, the Red Flash put up 31 points, but defensively they struggled, allowing 423 total yards with 238 of those coming on the ground.
For Saint Francis to get back into the win column, it’s a rather simple formula according to Villarrial.
“I think guys are trying too hard. and we have to get back to doing your assignment to the best of your ability,” he said. “That’s just how it works. You have to do your assignment, trust that your teammates doing his and he’s doing it to the best of his ability.”
Doyle dazzles
Redshirt junior quarterback Cole Doyle was a bright spot in an otherwise gloomy day for Saint Francis.
He completed 16 passes for 193 yards and three touchdowns, while adding 73 yards on the ground. His lone blemish was an interception in the first quarter.
Award-winning
Center Seth Osborne received the Arthur and Carmella Martynuska Scholarship and received his award before kickoff Saturday.
The scholarship is given to a deserving senior football player each year who excels both on and off the field and is in memory of former Red Flash head coach Art Martynuska.
Next up
The Red Flash head to Stonehill next week to continue NEC play. Saint Francis took down the Skyhawks, 17-13, in their first-ever matchup last season.
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