The first interception this season by junior Johnny Colon of Brookfield typified the defensive effort by the state-bound Nazareth Academy football team Saturday.
“It was super-exciting, one of the turning points in the game for sure,” Colon said.
“This group of kids is really special. We’re not surprised we’re in the state championship but it’s been a roller coaster ride for us for sure.”
The Roadrunners will go after the program’s sixth state championship and first three-peat after defeating rival St. Francis 40-21 in the Class 5A semifinals in LaGrange Park.
Nazareth (11-2), the two-time defending 5A champions, play Joliet Catholic Academy (10-3) at 10 a.m., Saturday, at Illinois State University’s Hancock Stadium in Normal. It’s a rematch of the 2023 title game won by the Roadrunners 38-20 after trailing 20-10 at halftime.
Senior linebacker and fourth-year defensive starter Gabe Kaminski of Riverside and starting sophomore defensive end Chris Kasky of Brookfield also contributed in limiting St. Francis (10-3), which scored at least 27 points in eight victories.
“It’s an indescribable feeling [returning to state], but we’ve got one more. The job’s not done,” Kaminski said. “Everybody was really focused and once we got that 14-0 lead, the momentum really swung our way. It just took off from there.”
Just like last year, Nazareth defeated St. Francis in the state semifinals after losing their regular-season meeting. On Oct. 25, the Spartans prevailed 39-36 in Wheaton on a 16-yard touchdown pass with 4:05 to play.
“[That loss] made us super hungry. We were talking about it all week, that revenge is best served cold,” said Colon, referring to the blustery conditions. “We were communicating better than we did Week 9. We were all on the same page. It was just a great defensive game overall and then our offense does what our offense does.”
Also special teams. After Nazareth made a goal-line stand at the 5-yard line to end the first half leading 20-7, St. Francis returned the opening second-half kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown.
That emotional surge was short lived. Nazareth junior Eddie McClain then returned the ensuing kickoff 91 yards along the Roadrunners’ left sideline for a TD. Nazareth pulled ahead 40-14 with 10 minutes left.
“We got fired up and we just had to answer,” said McClain about his biggest play since a pick-six TD against Benet Oct. 18. “I fumbled earlier in the game so I was hungry for a response. Ben Lukes picked up two of their guys, opened up the sideline for me.”
Kaminski and Trenton Walker had fumble recoveries and Henry Sakalas also had an interception.
The Roadrunners have won all of their state championships under coach Tim Racki, beginning in 2014. They also won back-to-back titles in 2014-15.
“Incredibly proud for my seniors because this is the way they ought to go out,” Racki said.
“When you take the ball away from that offense four times, you’re doing something right. Our defensive coordinator Keith Lukes and his staff remembered Week 9 and they didn’t sleep much this week so they deserve to celebrate. I was impressed all week with our focus and not surprised how we came out and had poise, the mindset it takes when you get into the semifinals.”
Nazareth zipped to a 14-0 lead on its first two possessions. On the next St. Francis drive, Kasky nearly added to the turnovers when he batted down a pass at the line of scrimmage. The drive ended with a missed 32-yard field goal.
“I’m kind of mad about that. I wanted a pick,” Kasky said. “I just need to prep myself for state, get the body ready, but I’m just happy and excited to go.”
Colon also was the holder for Frankie Nichols’ four successful extra points. Defensively, Colon started at his hybrid linebacker/cornerback spot but soon was moved to safety, where he made his interception at the end of the third quarter.
“On that play, I got moved down, I just read the quarterback’s eyes and went into the spot. It fell right into my hands,” Colon said.
Senior quarterback Logan Malachuk, like Kaminski a starter on the past two state champions, improved to 3,083 passing yards and 42 TDs by going 21-for-30 for 318 yards with three TDs.
Jake Cestone had TD catches of 70 and 9 yards, giving him 1,176 yards and 15 TDs this season with at least one TD catch in all but one of the games he’s played. Charles Calhoun had TD runs of 1 and 3 yards and Walker had a 27–yard TD reception for the game’s first score.
“It’s a blessing and playing for those [past] seniors is a lot different than when you are a senior,” Malachuk said. “Our defense played lights out. This was probably the best defensive game I’ve seen them play. I’m super glad to be suiting up in this Nazareth Academy uniform one more time.”
Kaminski leads the defense with 106 tackles (15 for loss) and five sacks, and Colon has 56 tackles.
Following his final home game, Kaminski reflected about playing at Valenta Stadium.
“This stadium is always going to hold a special place in my heart,” Kaminski said. “So many games and practices, so much blood, sweat and tears into this turf. It was great to go out on our terms. That’s a really good strong suit of ours. We know when it’s time to home in and time to work.”