Nazareth football captures 5A state for 3rd straight year 

For holder Johnny Colon of Brookfield, the Nazareth Academy football team’s preparation for the Class 5A state championship game Saturday included adding a new two-point conversion play disguised as a typical extra point.

When junior kicker Frankie Nichols actually called the play in the third quarter and received the ball directly from junior long-snapper Richie Skinkis, Colon was as stunned as everyone.

“We didn’t even plan it. He just called it at the line. I was like, ‘OK Frankie.’ It ended up working out for him really well,” Colon said. 

“That was really special. I had front row seats to it.”

The two-point conversion catch by sophomore Henry Sakalas was the difference maker against Joliet Catholic Academy – especially when the Hilltoppers needed a two-point conversion to tie after scoring with just 20 seconds left.  

The Roadrunners held and secured an exhilarating 29-27 victory at Illinois State University in Normal for the program’s unprecedented third consecutive state championship and sixth overall.

Senior all-state linebacker and four-year starter Gabe Kaminski of Riverside (14 tackles, 6 solos) and Colon (3 tackles, solo), also a starting cornerback, and sophomore starting defensive end Chris Kasky (6 tackles, 3 solo), both of Brookfield, were integral to a big defensive effort that also  made two fourth-down stops inside the 10-yard line. 

“It’s a special feeling, especially going out on top, doing something that’s never been done in Nazareth history. It’s an indescribable feeling for sure,” said Kaminski, the 6-foot-3, 235-pound Stanford recruit. 

“I think (the two-point stop) was just a collective confidence. There was just this energy that we knew we’d stop them. We banded together during the timeout, we said this is the game and we got it done. It was a thriller. They had us on the ropes, they had the momentum on their side but we battled through it.” 

Nazareth (12-2) also won the 2023 5A state championship 38-20 over the Hilltoppers (10-4) after trailing 20-10 at halftime and pulled out their Sept. 27 regular-season meeting 16-13 in LaGrange Park.  

The record

All of the Roadrunners’ state titles have come under head coach Tim Racki, the first in 2014.

“The seniors came to me as freshmen when we had that whole (COVID-19) shutdown,” Racki said. 

“Our numbers just dwindled. These guys came in with faith that the program would grow, and not just grow but lead it back to where it was. They certainly did that in a big way. And leaving their legacy with their third state title, which is quite a standard to surpass considering the success we’ve had.” 

Kaminski and senior quarterback Logan Malachuk were named 5A all-state by the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association and started for all three championship teams. Senior lineman Sam Stec was honorable mention all-state.

“This was a really special group of seniors that I loved to do it with. There’s no one else I’d rather do it with,” Kasky said. 

With Malachuk at quarterback, backup Nichols explored kicking to get on the field more. He kicked in youth football and played soccer. Colon and Skinkis also returned from last year’s conversion trio.

Nichols displayed his passing skills on the two-point pass, Nichols rolled and found Sakalas for a great catch just inside the left sideline.

“I was little nervous but I was just more excited to try (the new play),” Nichols said.

“At first, I didn’t really think it was a big deal but at the end of the game when it came down to that last two-point conversion I was like, ‘Oh. I didn’t know it would be that big.’ I’m just glad that it worked out.”

On fourth-and-4, JCA’s Keegan Farnaus made a nice 13-yard TD catch just within in the right sideline closed the gap to 29-21 with 3:34 left. After a three-and-out got the Hilltoppers the ball back at the Nazareth 47 with 3:11 remaining, Vince Bremner scored on a 1-yard run.

On the Hilltoppers’ two-point attempt, quarterback Lucas Simulick‘s end-zone throw near the right sideline barely missed connecting with Farnaus.

Colon was defending the opposite side of the play. Kasky was subbed out a couple of plays earlier.

“I was really scared. I was like, ‘What if I could change the game?’ But I guess it was the right call because we are here now [celebrating],” Kasky said. 

“It was crazy. Anticipation. I was just ready to go. I was tired of waiting around [during the timeout],” Colon said. 

“The past couple of years I didn’t play as much, but this year, giving it all to the seniors, the guys before me, just means a lot to me. I want to do everything I can to give back to the program.”

Nazareth scored on its first three possessions for a 21-7 lead. Malachuk found Trenton Walker for a 74-yard TD pass on the fifth play from scrimmage and 16-yard TD pass. 

Jimmy Penley scored on a 34-yard TD pass with 8:51 left in the first half after Nichols succeeded running an apparent punt on fourth-and-8 from the Nazareth 3 for a 27-yard gain. Nichols began running boot punts during the playoffs.

“Frankie has really come through, obviously those two points being the difference,” Racki said. “[Punts] is one where he does have the green light. He’s fast enough and he’s an athlete. He knows that if it’s there, I don’t care where we are on the field, you get that first down and thankfully that was open.”

JCA closed to 21-14 by halftime. Kaminski, who occasionally plays on offense, added to his accomplishments by catching his first high-school touchdown pass – a 6-yarder from Malachuk – followed by Nichols’ two-pointer for a 29-14 lead with 3:08 left in the third quarter. 

“No better place to do it. it was great,” Kaminski said. “[Offensive coordinator Casey Moran is] a mastermind. We were working on it throughout this week and it was actually there.”

Malachuk finished this season passing for 3,419 yards and 46 TDs. He was 18-of-31 for 336 yards Saturday. 

“I’ve been trying to get that down for four years and to think [Kaminski’s] first touchdown catch is the state championship our senior year, you couldn’t write a better story. That’s just absolutely insane,” Malachuk said.

“They’re all sweet [championships]. This one’s a little sweeter, just knowing it’s my last game and all of the emotions that come along with it. I’m just super proud of this team and this brotherhood that we’ve created.”

Late in the first quarter, JCA went for the score on fourth-and-goal at the 1, but the handoff between Liminick and Larry Stringham was fumbled. Stringham grabbed the ball and began running backwards but was stopped. 

After Kaminski’s TD, the Hilltoppers reached the Nazareth 10. On fourth-and-6, a screen pass that probably would have resulted in a first down was dropped. 

Kaminski stopped Stringham for a three-yard loss on the previous play and recovered a fumble caused by Garrett Reese at the Nazareth 39 earlier in the third quarter. 

Kasky contributed to two tackles for loss.  Dylan Wellner had a second-quarter interception. 

“I think I was pretty ready, pretty locked in,” Kasky said. “We’re really happy on the defense, really proud. It’s all about the guys around me.”

Besides last year’s comeback, these Roadrunners won a wild 2022 5A championship 45-44 over Peoria. With 5:15 left, Kaminski contributed to the tackle that thwarted that two-point conversion after Peoria closed to 45-44. 

“[My greatest memory is] the three state championships. They’re all really special to me. I think sophomore year was the most dramatic. That was a pretty tough one,” Kaminski said. 

“Honestly, I just hope the underclassmen thought we [seniors] did a good job leading, a good job by me being captain. I hope we left a good impression.”