IHSA Football Playoffs Class 6A: St. Francis at Lakes

The Lakes Eagles lineup for the National Anthem just before the start of the Varsity Football Playoffs game against St. Francis at Lakes Community High School on November 8, 2014.  |  Mark Ukena/Chicago Tribune Media Group

The Lakes Eagles hold up their helmets near the ending of the National Anthem just before the start of the Varsity Football Playoffs game against St. Francis at Lakes Community High School on November 8, 2014.  |  Mark Ukena/Chicago Tribune Media Group

The Lakes Eagles sidelines ready to battle St. Francis in the Varsity Football Playoffs game at Lakes Community High School on November 8, 2014.  |  Mark Ukena/Chicago Tribune Media Group

The Lakes Eagles sidelines ready to battle St. Francis in the Varsity Football Playoffs game at Lakes Community High School on November 8, 2014.  |  Mark Ukena/Chicago Tribune Media Group

Lakes Quarterback, junior, Jordan Mercure (12) taking the ball up the field himself during the Varsity Football Playoffs game against St. Francis at Lakes Community High School on November 8, 2014.  |  Mark Ukena/Chicago Tribune Media Group

Lakes Quarterback, junior, Jordan Mercure (12) getting a pass off just before St. Francis senior Nathan Zito (37) nails him during the Varsity Football Playoffs game at Lakes Community High School on November 8, 2014.  |  Mark Ukena/Chicago Tribune Media Group

Lakes Quarterback, junior, Jordan Mercure (12) having a successful short pass down field during the Varsity Football Playoffs game against St. Francis at Lakes Community High School on November 8, 2014.  |  Mark Ukena/Chicago Tribune Media Group

St. Francis senior Michael Shaw (white) nailing Lakes junior Izayah James (blue) as he makes his run during the Varsity Football Playoffs game at Lakes Community High School on November 8, 2014.  |  Mark Ukena/Chicago Tribune Media Group

Lakes Quarterback, junior, Jordan Mercure (12) briefing with Head Coach Luke Mertens during the Varsity Football Playoffs game against St. Francis at Lakes Community High School on November 8, 2014.  |  Mark Ukena/Chicago Tribune Media Group

St. Francis senior Pasquale Cacagno (white) slamming Lakes junior Izayah James (40) immediately after making a run during the Varsity Football Playoffs game at Lakes Community High School on November 8, 2014.  |  Mark Ukena/Chicago Tribune Media Group

Lakes senior Ryan Ronayne punting the ball to St. Francis on a 4th down during the Varsity Football Playoffs game at Lakes Community High School on November 8, 2014.  |  Mark Ukena/Chicago Tribune Media Group

Lakes Quarterback, junior, Jordan Mercure (12) taking the ball up the field himself during the Varsity Football Playoffs game against St. Francis at Lakes Community High School on November 8, 2014.  |  Mark Ukena/Chicago Tribune Media Group

Lakes student fans cheer for their eagles after they score the first, during the Varsity Football Playoffs game against St. Francis at Lakes Community High School on November 8, 2014.  |  Mark Ukena/Chicago Tribune Media Group

St. Francis senior Nick Dama (white) running as hard as he can while becoming surrounded by Lakes players during the Varsity Football Playoffs game at Lakes Community High School on November 8, 2014.  |  Mark Ukena/Chicago Tribune Media Group

St. Francis Quarterback, senior, Clint Bobowski (4) faking the handoff to senior Steven Fassnacht (20) during the Varsity Football Playoffs game at Lakes Community High School on November 8, 2014.  |  Mark Ukena/Chicago Tribune Media Group

St. Francis Quarterback, senior, Clint Bobowski (4) gaining some important yardage with a run during the Varsity Football Playoffs game at Lakes Community High School on November 8, 2014.  |  Mark Ukena/Chicago Tribune Media Group

St. Francis Quarterback, senior, Clint Bobowski (4) having a successful pass on Lakes' defense during the Varsity Football Playoffs game at Lakes Community High School on November 8, 2014.  |  Mark Ukena/Chicago Tribune Media Group

St. Francis senior Christopher Smith (15) catching a pass and running it down field for a few more yards during the Varsity Football Playoffs game at Lakes Community High School on November 8, 2014.  |  Mark Ukena/Chicago Tribune Media Group

Lakes senior Daniel Recker (right) taking down St. Francis senior Christopher Smith (20) during the Varsity Football Playoffs game at Lakes Community High School on November 8, 2014.  |  Mark Ukena/Chicago Tribune Media Group

St. Francis senior Nathan Zito (white) holding Lakes Junior Izayah James (blue) from gaining anymore yardage during the Varsity Football Playoffs game at Lakes Community High School on November 8, 2014.  |  Mark Ukena/Chicago Tribune Media Group

Lakes fans are outraged by the obviously horrible calls that the referees make over and over against their Eagles during the Varsity Football Playoffs game against St. Francis at Lakes Community High School on November 8, 2014.  |  Mark Ukena/Chicago Tribune Media Group

Lakes fans are outraged by the obviously horrible calls that the referees make over and over against their Eagles during the Varsity Football Playoffs game against St. Francis at Lakes Community High School on November 8, 2014.  |  Mark Ukena/Chicago Tribune Media Group

Lakes junior Izayah James (center) finding a route through St. Francis' defense during the Varsity Football Playoffs game at Lakes Community High School on November 8, 2014.  |  Mark Ukena/Chicago Tribune Media Group

Lakes senior Ryan Ronayne (14) watching the game intensely as it becomes very tight during the Varsity Football Playoffs game against St. Francis at Lakes Community High School on November 8, 2014.  |  Mark Ukena/Chicago Tribune Media Group

The Lakes Varsity Cheerleading Squad performs amazingly during the halftime show of the Varsity Football Playoffs game against St. Francis at Lakes Community High School on November 8, 2014.  |  Mark Ukena/Chicago Tribune Media Group

The Lakes Varsity Cheerleading Squad performs amazingly during the halftime show of the Varsity Football Playoffs game against St. Francis at Lakes Community High School on November 8, 2014.  |  Mark Ukena/Chicago Tribune Media Group

St. Francis senior Nick Dama, played as Quarterback for a few plays while Bobowski was fixing his hand,  during the Varsity Football Playoffs game at Lakes Community High School on November 8, 2014.  |  Mark Ukena/Chicago Tribune Media Group

St. Francis senior Nathan Zito catching an interception and running it in for a touchdown during the Varsity Football Playoffs game at Lakes Community High School on November 8, 2014.  |  Mark Ukena/Chicago Tribune Media Group

St. Francis senior Christopher Smith (20) gaining some important yardage on a run during the Varsity Football Playoffs game at Lakes Community High School on November 8, 2014.  |  Mark Ukena/Chicago Tribune Media Group

Lakes senior Jacob Balliu (8) catching a punt and running it in for a touchdown during the Varsity Football Playoffs game against St. Francis at Lakes Community High School on November 8, 2014.  |  Mark Ukena/Chicago Tribune Media Group

Lakes seniors, Alezander Jennrich (right) and Daniel decker (51) hugging Jacob Balliu (8) after he ran in a touchdown punt return during the Varsity Football Playoffs game against St. Francis at Lakes Community High School on November 8, 2014.  |  Mark Ukena/Chicago Tribune Media Group

St. Francis Quarterback, senior, Clint Bobowski (4) gaining some important yardage with a run during the Varsity Football Playoffs game at Lakes Community High School on November 8, 2014.  |  Mark Ukena/Chicago Tribune Media Group

St. Francis senior Thomas Pertrando (29) tripping up Lakes senior Jacob Balliu (8) during the Varsity Football Playoffs game at Lakes Community High School on November 8, 2014.  |  Mark Ukena/Chicago Tribune Media Group

Lakes junior Izayah James (center) flying downfield for another great run during the Varsity Football Playoffs game against St. Francis at Lakes Community High School on November 8, 2014.  |  Mark Ukena/Chicago Tribune Media Group

St. Francis celebrates the win over Lakes 39-36, with their fans after the Varsity Football Playoffs game at Lakes Community High School on November 8, 2014.  |  Mark Ukena/Chicago Tribune Media Group

St. Francis celebrates the win over Lakes 39-36, with their fans after the Varsity Football Playoffs game at Lakes Community High School on November 8, 2014.  |  Mark Ukena/Chicago Tribune Media Group

The Lakes have their final huddle with their Head Coach, Luke Mertens (center) after loosing to St. Francis 36-39 during the Varsity Football Playoffs game at Lakes Community High School on November 8, 2014.  |  Mark Ukena/Chicago Tribune Media Group

St. Francis listens to their Head Coach, Mike Fitzgerald (blue) after they beat the Lakes 39-36 during the Varsity Football Playoffs game at Lakes Community High School on November 8, 2014.  |  Mark Ukena/Chicago Tribune Media Group