Nazareth Academy senior football player Johnny Colon of Brookfield was part of two state championship teams and another great one this season. Colon was among many Roadrunners who took their time leaving their home field for the last time Saturday. The season ended one game too soon after losing to Fenwick 28-27 in overtime in an epic Class 6A state semifinal at Dennis Moran Field.
Nazareth (11-2), which had the ball last in overtime, went for the two-point conversion and victory after its touchdown but was stopped. In the final seconds of regulation, Billy Harding’s apparent game-winning 38-yard field goal was nullified by a blown whistle for Fenwick being offsides. The second attempt from 33 yards was unsuccessful.
“I thought the game was two good teams going at it. We both wanted it really bad and we just came up short,” Colon said. “Unfortunately, when you come up short in the playoffs you turn in your equipment and are going home and unfortunately that’s what happened.”
The Roadrunners moved to 6A this season after three straight 5A state championships. Their only other loss this season was to undefeated Mt. Carmel, an 8A state finalist against Oswego. Fenwick (10-3) came to 6A after losing to Downers Grove North in the second round of last year’s 7A playoffs.
If any game could eclipse Nazareth’s remarkable quarterfinal victory, this was it. The Roadrunners were coming off beating Lake Zurich 24-21 with two comeback touchdowns in the final three minutes aided by a blocked punt and recovered onside kick.
Fenwick’s Tommy Thies goes up to block a pass reception During first half action at Nazareth Academy. (Ian McLeod) 
Fenwick players are stoked after causing a fumble near their goal line in a key first quarter play on Saturday November 22 2025 at Nazareth Academy. (Ian McLeod) 
Tommy Thies takes off down the sideline on his way to a Fenwick touchdown during first half action at Nazareth Academy on Saturday November 22 2025. (Ian McLeod) 
Nazareth’s Kicker gets a punt off while being pressured by a Fenwick defender during first half action at Nazareth Academy on Saturday November 22 2025. (Ian McLeod) 
Will Tomczak (10) tears down the sideline breaking tackles during an impressive rush in the first half on Saturday. (Ian McLeod)
“It was a classic game. You can’t get any better than what we just witnessed. I’d like to take back a couple of my calls there at the end, but I told the kids what an incredible football game and this one game doesn’t define them,” Nazareth coach Tim Racki said. “We were real confident in the huddle (for the 2-point conversion) but that’s football. You’re not going to win every rep or every play. They won that rep and in turn won the game.”
Nazareth led 21-14 before Fenwick used an interception at its 27 with 4:25 left for a seven-play TD drive that tied the game at 21 with 1:13 left. Nazareth then drove from its 20 to the Fenwick 23 with five seconds left. The Roadrunners were celebrating Harding’s 38-yard field goal before learning the play was nullified. After the missed attempt, the Friars kneeled to run out the regulation clock.
“We’ve been on the winning end quite a bit and we’ve been blessed by that. Today wasn’t our day but again it was an incredible game and kudos to Fenwick,” Racki said. “[Our] kids were incredible. The seniors, their leadership, how they listened, they’re nice kids off the field. When the sting wears off, that’s what we’re all going to remember.”
Colon starts at cornerback/outside linebacker and plays on special teams and returns. He’s been the primary holder the past two seasons. This year he didn’t continue because Harding is left footed.
“It was a roller coaster of emotions. We made the first kick and thought the game was over,” Colon said. “Going into overtime, it was like, ‘Play our game, get the stop, score (to win).’ It didn’t work out the way we wanted but that’s life sometimes.”
In overtime, Fenwick scored on a third-down 11-yard pass from 6A all-state quarterback Jamen Williams to all-stater Tommy Thies. Nazareth scored on three rushes by Charles Calhoun, the third from the 1 to score. For the two-pointer, the Roadrunners were stopped on a delayed handoff to Calhoun along the left side of the line.
QB Jamen Williams gets taken down in first half action at Nazareth Academy on Saturday November 22 2025. (Ian McLeod) 
Fenwick’s Raphiel Stewart evades two Nazareth defenders to barely squeak into the end zone during first half action at Nazareth Academy on Saturday November 22 2025. (Ian McLeod) 
Fenwick students react to the Friars touchdown late in second half action at Nazareth Academy on Saturday November 22 2025. (Ian McLeod) 
Nazareth’s Charles Calhoun gets stopped near the end zone on the final play of the game, giving Fenwick Friars the victory, sending them to the State Championship. (Ian McLeod) 
Fenwick’s Jamen Williams shows great sportsmanship, consoling Nazareth Academy’s Cash Coleman after the Friar victory Saturday November 22 2025. (Ian McLeod) 
Will Tomzcak (10) about to catch another pass Saturday at Nazareth Academy. (Ian McLeod)
“I agree [with trying for two],” said Nazareth senior quarterback Jackson Failla of Brookfield. “That was unfortunate but everyone was ready for overtime. No one was hanging their heads because they made us re-take the kick.”
Edward McClain Jr. had a 12-yard TD run with 9:01 left to put the Roadrunners ahead 21-14. Failla had a 7-yard TD pass to Calhoun and scored from the 2 as Nazareth took a 14-7 lead in the second quarter after the opening drive of the game ended with a lost fumble at the 1. Failla was a transfer this season from North Allegheny (Wexford, Pa.). As a sophomore reserve, he made the state championship game in Pennsylvania’s largest 6A class, which the Tigers lost 45-23. This season, Failla was 128 for 209 passing this season for 2,182 yards and 25 TDs and rushed for four more TDs. He also was among the last Roadrunners to leave the field.
“I’ll probably just remember all of our practices and team dinners and all of those little things with each other,” Failla said. “(Even being new) I was pretty emotional myself. Even in the short time here, I’ve made some really great friends. It was hard to come to terms that football’s over.”
Class 6A all-state senior Jake Cestone had 48 catches for 999 yards and 17 TDs. Junior lineman Christian Malachuk was honorable mention all-state. Calhoun had 949 rushing yards (139 Saturday) with 12 TDs. Trenton Walker had 865 receiving yards with 6 TDs. Junior Nathan Hill of Brookfield was a reserve wide receiver.
On defense, junior Chris Kasky of Brookfield moved into a starting role in his second varsity season. Kasky (68 tackles, team-high 23 for loss, 12 sacks, team-high 4 blocked kicks) was among the stats leaders with Dylan Wellner (team-high 69 tackles, 10 for loss) Ben Lukes (66 tackles) and Will McGarry (62 tackles, team-high 15 sacks). Colon had 52 tackles with two interceptions.
“There were older guys ahead of me [last year] and now I’m one of the older guys and I get to have more responsibility,” Kasky said earlier this season. “I feel comfortable now (on varsity). Starting definitely helps and being around all of the guys.”
Colon and Failla both are considering college football as they plan to major in business (Colon) and math and finance (Failla). Both were grateful for the life lessons from Nazareth football.
“I’m definitely going to take all of the incredible teachings Coach Racki instilled in us, lessons from the older guys when I was just a young kid on varsity. With hard work anything can be accomplished,” Colon said.
“It was definitely different (playing at Nazareth). I think a lot of that comes down to Coach Racki and the way he goes about things,” Railla said. “There’s a lot of emphasis on building relationships with each other. That was new for me to be coached like that and that kind of environment.”