The Nazareth Academy football team dropped its season finale April 24 to visiting Benet Academy 3-0 in Lagrange Park.
The Redwings’ Will Benish nailed a 22-yard field goal at the 3:46 mark of the third quarter to account for the game’s only score.
The Roadrunners (2-3) had a chance to send the contest into overtime with 10 seconds remaining in regulation, but a 51-yard field goal attempt fell short.
Nazareth junior quarterback Aidan Pieper passed for 190 yards against Benet, but the Roadrunners managed just 38 yards rushing. The offense struggled in the final three games of the season as it was shutout in all of them.
Nevertheless, Nazareth coach Tim Racki thought the season was successful simply because the Roadrunners got to play this year, given the challenges the Covid-19 pandemic presented.
“The fact that we were able to compete is a huge victory,” Racki said. “There was a time where we didn’t think we’d be able to play at all.”
The season was a mixed bag for star junior wide receiver Tyler Morris. One of the state’s top prospects in the Class of 2022, Morris made a verbal commitment to play at the University of Michigan upon his graduation next year. But he also suffered an ACL injury that places his availability for the fall in question.
“It was quite a roller-coaster because we were devastated about his injury, but then in a matter of 24 hours, he called [Michigan coach] Jim Harbaugh and told him about the injury and that he wanted to commit,” Racki said. “[Harbaugh] accepted him. Now that Tyler knows he’s going to be a Wolverine, it lessens the blow of the injury.”
Racki knows a new challenge is ahead for Nazareth: how to adjust to what will be a compressed offseason schedule.
“It’s going to be a quick turnaround,” he said. “Before your know it, summer contact days will be here, and then we’re into another season. It’s not a real offseason.”
