Fired-up Nazareth rolls into Class 5A quarterfinals

Tim Racki knows well what it takes to win a state championship.

After all, he has guided Nazareth to the last two state titles in Class 5A and five overall since 2014. Racki has nine total titles, counting the four he won at Driscoll.

So while the Roadrunners shut out Payton in the opening round of this year’s Class 5A playoffs, Racki saw some warning signs.

He told players what he wanted and they responded with a 42-20 second-round win on Nov, 9 in LaGrange Park. 

The Roadrunners (9-2) will travel to Rochelle (10-1) for the Class 5A quarterfinals at 1 p.m. Saturday.

“We came out firing,” Racki said. “We played really well and it wasn’t even close. 

“(Two weeks ago), I wasn’t happy with our approach that the playoffs are a given. I was not happy with our preparation. I know how Nazareth prepares for a football game. This week, we had Nazareth practices that were up to the Nazareth standard. You never know when you’re going to have to turn in your pads. I was happy with our preparation and that showed in the game.”

It certainly did. The Roadrunners led 21-0 after the first quarter, 35-0 at halftime and 42-7 after three quarters. Their offense, which is averaging 36.5 points per game, was anchored by quarterback Logan Malachuk. 

The senior connected with Jake Cestone on touchdown passes of 56, 15 and 20 yards in the first quarter and finished with 290 passing yards.

In the second quarter, Malachuk scored on a 19-yard run before completing a 2-yard TD toss to James Penley for a 35-0 advantage. In the third quarter, Charles Calhoun scored on a 1-yard run.

“The kids know they don’t like to see me unhappy,” Racki said. “I’m very transparent with our boys. I told them why I was disappointed (after the Payton game) and this is what we need to do. This is Nazareth football and they did what we wanted them to do.”

Also contributing to Nazareth’s offense was junior wide receiver Trenton Walker, who had eight catches for 145 yards.

“Trenton Walker had a stellar first half,” Racki said. “He made some Sunday-type, big-time catches and he put on a clinic on how to be a wide receiver. 

“He made play after play and catch after catch. His blocking was great, too. He’s long, athletic, has body control and he’s physical. Trenton’s such a humble kid and a great teammate.”

With the offense rolling along, Nazareth’s defense also impressed, not allowing Woodstock North (8-3) to score until the game was out of reach. Garrett Reese had an interception for the Roadrunners.

“Our defense stifled them,” Racki said. “They run the triple option and I give kudos to our defense. That’s assignment football. The kids did their jobs very well and I have to credit all the kids on defense.”