Logan Malachuk, Jake Cestone lead Nazareth back to state

As Nazareth quarterback Logan Malachuk took a knee on the final snap, wide receiver Jake Cestone was lined up near midfield just in case something happened.

Once Cestone saw that everything was indeed fine, he celebrated the Roadrunners’ 40-21 Class 5A semifinal victory over St. Francis on Nov. 23 in memorable fashion: with a well-executed backflip to the roaring approval of his teammates.

“I did that Week 1 and I had the opportunity to be in that position again,” a grinning Cestone said. “And I had to do it.

“I had no doubts I’d be able to do it. It’s just a fun thing we like to do in practice.”

Nazareth (11-2) will play Joliet Catholic (10-3) in its quest for a third consecutive Class 5A state title at 10 a.m. Saturday at Illinois State’s Hancock Stadium in Normal. Under coach Tim Racki, the Roadrunners have been state champs in 2014, 2015, 2018, 2022 and 2023.

The Roadrunners edged the Hilltoppers 16-13 in Week 5 this season in a CCL/ESCC crossover contest at home.

“We’re one of two teams in Class 5A playing football on Thanksgiving weekend,” Malachuk said. “That’s definitely a blessing.

“This team is so special. This culture and this team, I love them all.”

One of the reasons why Nazareth was able to book its third straight state final was the play of Malachuk, who was 21 of 28 passing for 310 yards and three TDs.

Cestone finished with seven catches for 119 yards, including touchdowns of 70 and nine yards. Trenton Walker added five catches for 86 yards and a 26-yard TD for Nazareth’s first TD.

Nazareth has scored 178 points in four playoff games, an average of 44.5 points.

“Logan’s a great quarterback,” Walker said. “He always puts the ball where it needs to be. I told him that I’ve always got him when he needs me, whatever the situation.”

On Nazareth’s second possession, Malachuk connected with Cestone, who made a nice over-the-shoulder catch for a 70-yard TD strike and a 14-0 lead at 5:51 of the first quarter.

“Working with Logan is really easy,” Cestone said. “We’ve run together for three years and we have trust in each other. When the game is on the line, he knew what I was going to do.

“He’s the best quarterback in the state. Period.”

Seth Valeri (three carries, 51 yards) drew the Spartans (10-3) to within 14-7 on an 18-yard TD run at 4:31 of the second quarter.

The Roadrunners responded and took a 20-7 lead as Charles Calhoun (12 carries, 38 yards) scored on a 1-yard run at 2:29. The drive was set up by a 53-yard kickoff return by Calhoun to the St. Francis 45.

After an interception by Ryan Mullen, the Spartans reached the Nazareth 5. But the last play of the first half was a reverse pass thrown by Dario Milivojevic intended for quarterback Brady Palmer that fell incomplete.

St. Francis’ Zach Washington returned the second-half kickoff 86 yard to cut Nazareth’s lead to 20-14.

Not to be outdone, Nazareth’s Edward McClain Jr. returned the Spartans’ kick 92 yards for a touchdown and a 26-14 advantage.

“That was a huge response for us,” Racki said. “We talked about responding all week and that play was pivotal in the game in terms of our responding and giving us momentum again.”

After a Palmer fumble was recovered by Walker at the Nazareth 28, Calhoun capped a 14-play, 72-yard drive with a 3-yard TD run with 37 seconds left in the third quarter, widening the Roadrunners’ lead to 33-14.

The Roadrunners’ final TD came on a 9-yard pass from Malachuk to Cestone with 10:13 remaining in the fourth quarter.

The Spartans’ Ian Willis (four carries, 51 yards) scored the final TD of the game on a 33-yard run with 4:16 to play.

Also contributing for Nazareth were Yandiel Colon and Henry Sakalas who had interceptions and Gabe Kaminski with a fumble recovery. James Penley had four receptions for 70 yards.