It’s a decision that Nazareth coach Tim Racki had no second thoughts about making.
After the Roadrunners scored in overtime against visiting Fenwick in the Class 6A semifinal on Nov. 22 to draw within a point, Racki consulted with his players and coaches. He then decided to go for the two-point conversion and the win.
However, running back Charles Calhoun was stopped short of the end zone by the Friars defense and Fenwick emerged with a 28-27 overtime victory. The Friars (10-3) will take on East St. Louis in the Class 6A state championship game on Nov. 29 at 1 pm at Illinois State University’s Hancock Stadium.
“I considered kicking (the extra point) and I called a timeout,” Racki said. “I wanted to see and hear how the kids feel and the coaches and we were confident that we could get two.
“It didn’t work out and that’s how football is.”
The play on the two-point conversion attempt consisted of Calhoun running behind the left side of his offensive line. However, he was taken down by a group of Friars around the 1-yard line. Calhoun had scored on a 1-yard TD run in overtime to make the score 28-27.
“We thought we could get it,” Racki said. “They just schemed better than we did.”
Nazareth (11-2) came into the season having won three consecutive Class 5A state championships.
“I told the kids I could handle the loss, but what I couldn’t handle is that it’s over and I can’t coach them anymore,” Racki said. “These kids, they didn’t feel pressure. They were a fun group to coach.
“They had fun and that’s what it’s all about. The sting of this loss will go away but those kids will remember the journey that we had after losing all of those upperclassmen from last year and how they came into their own. It was a memorable season and this loss isn’t going to identify what this team is. They really left their mark and they played Nazareth football. It’s just that Fenwick was better (Saturday) and God bless them.”
Fenwick tied the game at 21-all on a 4-yard run by quarterback Jamen Williams with 1:13 to play in regulation. The Friars took a 28-21 lead in overtime on a 12-yard TD pass from Williams to Tommy Thies.
Nazareth scored in the first quarter on a 6-yard pass from Jackson Failla to Calhoun and with 3:09 to play in the second quarter on Failla’s 2-yard run to go up 14-7. Eddie McClain’s 12-yard TD run with 9:01 remaining in regulation provided the Roadrunners a 21-14 advantage.
In the last four seasons, Nazareth has posted an overall record of 42-13 with three state titles and one state semifinal appearance.
“These kids put it in perspective for me,” Racki said. “This was a fun group. I’m a serious guy, I’m a passionate guy and I’m more of a hard(-nosed) guy. These kids were not a problem off the field.
“They listened and they were coachable. It was fun literally every single day. We were able to coach them and there was no drama. … What I’m most proud of is that they made their own mark. …
“These kids went to three state championships and a semifinal game. That’s a pretty good career.”