Skip to content
  • Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Email
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Features
  • Subscribe FREE to Ray Hanania’s Columns
  • Advertise
Suburban Chicagoland

Suburban Chicagoland

Original News, Features & Opinion

  • About
    • About
    • Advertise
    • Our Writers
      • Ray Hanania
      • Bill Lipinski
      • Aaron Hanania
      • Steve Metsch
      • Steve Neuhaus
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Reach Out
    • Submit a Press Release
  • Sections
    • Events
    • Opinion
    • News
    • Features
    • Seniors
    • Comic Strip
  • Library
    • “MIdnight Flight” Online Book
      • Midnight Flight Book Overview
      • Midnight Flight Introduction
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 1
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 2
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 3
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 4
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 5
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 6
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 7
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 8
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 9
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 10
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 11
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 12
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 13
    • Villages, Cities & Towns
    • Federal Office Holders
    • County Officials
    • Legislators
  • Seniors
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Comment
  • Podcast
    • Ray Hanania on Politics Podcast
  • Hanania on Tiktok
  • Toggle search form
  • Jeffery M. Leving fights for your rights
    Court orders ex to provide transportation so Dad can see his daughter Civil Rights
  • Brandon Johnson leads a protest demanding to defund the Police. Phot courtesy of the Vallas for Mayor Campaign
    Johnson Refuses to Answer Whether He Would Pursue Stricter Penalties for Repeat Gun Offenders At WGN Debate  Chicago
  • Orland Fire Protection District extinguish fire in apartment building at 144th and Ravinia Sunday Jan. 30, 2022
    One fatality in Orland Hills Home fire Cook County
  • Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau continues to lie and slander people Blogger
  • Writing my very first news story that ran in the Messenger Press Baby Boomers
  • Illinois State Senator Michael Hastings. Photo courtesy of the Illinois State Senate
    Senator Michael Hastings supports bill to protect consumers from pesky auto-renewal charges Features
  • Major League Rugby 2023 Championship to take place at SeatGeek Stadium July 8
    Major League Rugby 2023 Championship to take place at SeatGeek Stadium July 8 Entertainment
  • Paul Vallas candidate for Chicago Mayor 2023. Photo courtesy of the Paul Vallas website
    Paul Vallas calls out Johnson’s lies walking back calls to defund and undermine police Chicago
  • Jeffery M. Leving fights for your rights
    Psychological support for divorcing dads topic of CLE at Leving firm Chicago
  • Ronette McCarthy, a candidate for Mayor of Palos Park, addresses the Palos Park Village Board on the issue of expanding Wu's House parking into land adjacent to the huge restaurant on the east.
    Whoa is Wu’s House in Palos Park Blogger
  • Pekau campaign signs violate village ordinances News
  • Rotary Club of Orland Park Logo
    Orland Park Rotary offering scholarships to graduating seniors Education
  • Carl Sandburg High School, Orland Park, School District 230
    Carl Sandburg band invited to London’s New Year’s Day Parade 2024;  Education
  • Higher Education veteran Tracy Sullivan announces candidacy for Moraine Valley Board News
  • Chicago ALderman Raymond Lopez announces his candidacy for Mayor of Chicago on Wednesday April 6, 2022. Photo courtesy of Ray Lopez announcement video
    Lopez and O’Shea endorse Vallas in Chicago mayor race Chicago

Nazareth in state title game

Posted on November 21, 2018November 21, 2018 By Steve Metsch No Comments on Nazareth in state title game
SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  

Loading

Nazareth in state title game

Defense, special teams play key roles

By Steve Metsch

Seldom has a thump sounded so sweet.

“I just shut my eyes, I put my hand up and I heard a thump. I saw the ball flying toward the end-zone and then I saw Nathan Lugo recover it.” Nazareth senior lineman Louie Stec said late Saturday afternoon

That “thump” was Stec blocking a punt with Nazareth up 14-7 in the second quarter and played a key role in Nazareth’s 47-28 win over Batavia in a Class 7A semifinal in snowy La Grange Park.

Officials ruled Lugo recovered the ball at the half-yard line. On the next play, Nazareth’s Dylan Smith bulled in for a 21-7 lead with 7:57 left in the first half.

Stec had forced the punt after, on the previous play, he sacked quarterback Jack Meyers on third-and-9 at Batavia’s 32-yard line.

Stec, who starts on the offensive and defensive lines, is “old school” Coach Tim Racki said.

“He’s a state contender wrestler, a tough kid. He’s soft-spoken off the field. You’d never know he’s the force he is on the field,” Racki said.

Stec’s one-two punch that will long be remembered by Nazareth faithful, who saw defense and special teams share the spotlight with the team’s typically explosive offense en route to a shot at the a Class 7A state title.

Alex Carrillo, with blocking from Louie Stec, scores the first Nazareth touchdown vs. Batavia on Nov. 17. Nazareth plays for the Class 7A title on Saturday. Photo by Steve Metsch.

As sophomore quarterback J.J. McCarthy said: “We’re rolling right now.”

“We know (the) defense has our back. We know special teams have our back. Everything’s working out. This is amazing,” quarterback J.J. McCarthy said.

Batavia jumped to a 7-0 lead, but Alex Carrillo ran in from 6 yards out – behind Stec’s blocking – to tie the score, 7-7. “We don’t get fazed,” McCarthy added.

The defense held Batavia to 227 yards while Nazareth rolled up 430 yards of offense.

Michael Love scored three touchdowns, Smith scored twice and McCarthy passed for 319 yards.

Nazareth (12-1) next plays St. Charles North – which beat Mount Carmel – on Nov. 24 at the University of Illinois’ Memorial Stadium.

“There’s no school this week, so it’ll be all football and eating food,” Stec said with a smile.

There were a lot of smiles and hugs after a special teams special play iced the win.

Moments after Zach Weber grabbed a 15-yard scoring pass from Meyers with 1:08 left in the third quarter, cutting the lead to 35-28, Batavia grabbed the momentum. Or so it seemed.

Derrick Strongs, Jr., caught the ensuing kickoff at his own 19. He darted across the field toward the Nazareth sideline. Seemingly caught near the 40, he wriggled free and ran to the north end-zone for a 41-28 lead.

That “destroyed our momentum,” Batavia senior running back/linebacker Michael Jansey said.

“You’re not going to win a game if special teams can’t convert and get the job done, said Jansey, who will play for Northwestern next year.

Love, who caught three passes for 100 yards, scored on a 61- pass play and added TD runs of 1 and 28 yards. Love could’ve scored twice more but each pass was picked off by Jackson Williams near the goal-line.

“The ball was slick. I’ll cut J.J. some slack,” Love said.

Receiver/defensive back Diamond Evans, never one to be called reserved, played air guitar and danced on the field in the closing moments.

“They were playing scrappy all day. I got punched. Just to dance on them, to watch them look so sad and defeated, it felt great,” Evans said. “These boys put a lot of work in. It’s great to see them happy.”

Asked about Evans’ celebration, Racki smiled and said “that’s Diamond. He’s a very passionate, emotional young man, and a 4.0 student. He’s great.”

Evans made a big catch in the third quarter.

Leading 28-21, McCarthy rolled right and found Evans for a 31-yard-gain on third-and-two at Batavia’s 40 to set up Smith’s second touchdown and a 35-21 lead.

“I saw Diamond one-on-one. I’ll take that any day,” said McCarthy who went 17 for 26. Five catches were made by Breven Reifsteck for 91 yards.

“It’s so special to lead these seniors all the way there,” McCarthy added. “I couldn’t do it without them. I love them so much.”

-30-

 

 

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Steve Metsch
Steve Metsch
Steve Metsch is an award winning veteran reporter who previously worked for the Daily Southtown Newspapers, Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times. Metsch is a writer and editor at the Southwest News Newspaper group based in suburban Chicago, and a freelance writer a health magazine, the Suburban Life, the Naperville Sun, and other organizations.
Email Steve Metsch at sm4610@sbcglobal.net
Steve Metsch
Latest posts by Steve Metsch (see all)
  • James Koc rejoins Lyons ZBA - November 26, 2022
  • “It’s time,” says McCook top cop Svetich - November 26, 2022
  • No town too small, Pritzker visits Southwest suburbs - November 4, 2022
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  
 
 
 
           
News, Suburban Chicagoland Tags:Class 7A, Nazareth, state football

Post navigation

Previous Post: E.coli Food Safety alert issued for romaine lettuce
Next Post: Sprinkler extinguishes early morning fire at Patio Restaurant in Orland Park

Related Posts

  • Adelle's Restaurant food selection
    Only one Illinois restaurant makes national Outdoor dining list News
  • Prairie School students with items collected during their Holiday Food Drive (Photo: Claribel Rocha, Prairie School). Photo courtesy of Orland Township
    Orland Township’s Holiday Program: Highlighting Donor Kindness From Local Schools food
  • Jerling Junior High School “Winter Concert” News
  • Chicago, Naperville & Elgin highest auto thefts News
  • Tania H. Madrigal Booking mug shot. Photo courtesy of the Town of Cicero Police
    Charges filed against mother who left child in car Crime
  • “Yellow Submarine” a treat News

More Related Articles

Philo, Illinois, USA. Watertower and post office. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) 2018 Illinois Governor’s Export Award recipients announced Business
Chicago ALderman Raymond Lopez announces his candidacy for Mayor of Chicago on Wednesday April 6, 2022. Photo courtesy of Ray Lopez announcement video Raymond Lopez says 500th Chicago murder unacceptable fir America’s 3rd largest city Chicago
Indiana University student Natalie Baeza, 22, was crowned the Queen of Cicero 2022-23 on Thursday night. Brenda Nava was elected as the First Pageant Princess and Fernanda Barrios as the Second Pageant Princess. Cicero names Natalie Baeza as the Pageant Queen for Mexican Independence 2022-23 Cook County
Police Squad Car, courtesy of Wikipedia Good and bad choices in the November 8 General Election Baby Boomers
Sarah Gad, Democratic Candidate for Congress in the 1st Congressional DIstrict in Illinois Challenge to Congressman Bobby Rush fueled by uplifting story Blogger
Milwaukee County Ramp Up program will make public areas accessible for everyone Abele and Milwaukee County will make Bradford Beach “accessible.” Environment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Login with your Social ID
  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau continues to lie and slander people
    March 21, 2023
  • Writing my very first news story that ran in the Messenger Press
    March 19, 2023
  • Ronette McCarthy, a candidate for Mayor of Palos Park, addresses the Palos Park Village Board on the issue of expanding Wu's House parking into land adjacent to the huge restaurant on the east.
    Whoa is Wu’s House in Palos Park
    March 14, 2023
  • Foxx policies punish police rather than the criminals
    March 8, 2023
  • Pekau silences accountability to expand his political power
    February 27, 2023
  • Terrorist Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin who is guilty of massacring civilians in his war against Ukraine. Photo credit Wikipedia
    America should stand with Ukraine and set aside internal politics
    February 24, 2023

Subscribe

  • Ray-Hanania-Newsletter-300-wide-Banner.jpg

Trending

  • Ronette McCarthy, a candidate for Mayor of Palos Park, addresses the Palos Park Village Board on the issue of expanding Wu's House parking into land adjacent to the huge restaurant on the east. Whoa is Wu’s House... Whoa is Wu's House in Palos Park Residents in Palos Park thought they had t... posted on March 14, 2023
  • Orland Park Mayor Keith P... Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau continues to lie and slander people By Ray Ha... posted on March 21, 2023
  • Brandon Johnson leads a protest demanding to defund the Police. Phot courtesy of the Vallas for Mayor Campaign Johnson Refuses to Answer... Johnson Refuses to Answer Whether He Would Pursue Stricter Penalties for Re... posted on March 22, 2023
  • Karie Friling the former Director of Development Services and former Asst. Village Manager for Orland Park, Illinois, discusses with host Ray Hanania, the proposed referendum introduced and pushed by Mayor keith Pekau to eliminate the professional Village Manager and Managerial Form of Government. Former Orland Park Asst V... Former Orland Park Asst Village Manager analyzes misguided referendum to el... posted on February 23, 2023
  • Pekau campaign signs viol... Pekau campaign signs violate village ordinances Pekau and his endorsed cand... posted on March 13, 2023
  • NEWS
  • Jeffery M. Leving fights for your rights
    Court orders ex to provide transportation so Dad can see his daughter
    March 23, 2023
  • Brandon Johnson leads a protest demanding to defund the Police. Phot courtesy of the Vallas for Mayor Campaign
    Johnson Refuses to Answer Whether He Would Pursue Stricter Penalties for Repeat Gun Offenders At WGN Debate 
    March 22, 2023
  • Orland Fire Protection District extinguish fire in apartment building at 144th and Ravinia Sunday Jan. 30, 2022
    One fatality in Orland Hills Home fire
    March 22, 2023
  • Illinois State Senator Michael Hastings. Photo courtesy of the Illinois State Senate
    Senator Michael Hastings supports bill to protect consumers from pesky auto-renewal charges
    March 18, 2023
  • Major League Rugby 2023 Championship to take place at SeatGeek Stadium July 8
    Major League Rugby 2023 Championship to take place at SeatGeek Stadium July 8
    March 17, 2023
  • Paul Vallas candidate for Chicago Mayor 2023. Photo courtesy of the Paul Vallas website
    Paul Vallas calls out Johnson’s lies walking back calls to defund and undermine police
    March 15, 2023
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png

The Political Pundit

Political Pundit Aug. 24, 2021. Taliban thanks president for boxes of MAGA hats
  • WORD PRESS REVIEWS
  • MyCloud by Western Digital, a hard drive that doesn't last. Don't purchase Western Digital.
    Western Digital tubes its loyal customers for profit
    October 17, 2021
  • Macho Themes website front page. Don't buy their themes. They don't work
    Difficulties with Macho Themes for WordPress
    August 21, 2021
  • TECHNOLOGY REVIEWS
  • Illinois State Senator Michael Hastings. Photo courtesy of the Illinois State Senate
    Senator Michael Hastings supports bill to protect consumers from pesky auto-renewal charges
    March 18, 2023
  • Wreaths Across America Radio logo
    Wreaths Across America Radio Announces New Strategic Partnerships with Veteran Radio Programs
    February 6, 2023
  • Dr. Helen Edwards Fermilab particle physicist
    Foster, Durbin, Duckworth introduce resolution to name Fermilab Research Center after renowned physicist Dr. Helen Edwards
    February 3, 2023

Follow Ray Hanania at
Gab.com, MeWe.com
IDobbinate.com,
Twitter, Facebook

Creative Commons License
All works on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

First Installment of the Property Tax

What We’re Reading

Arab News Newspaper Leading English Language Publication in the GulfArab News Newspaper

Ray Hanania on Politics
SW News Newspaper Group

  • SPORTS
  • Major League Rugby 2023 Championship to take place at SeatGeek Stadium July 8
    Major League Rugby 2023 Championship to take place at SeatGeek Stadium July 8
    March 17, 2023
  • Chicago Wolves 2022-2023 season
    Chicago Wolves top Stars for second win in a row
    October 25, 2022
  • Stagg Marching Band Pit Crew as efficient as a NASCAR pit stop! The team that does a lot of the work to help the Stagg High school band perform works behind the scenes like a NASCAR pit stop. The students are profiled in this feature
    Stagg Marching Band Pit Crew as efficient as a NASCAR pit stop!
    August 31, 2022
  • Soccer. Photo by Md Mahdi on Unsplash
    International soccer returns to SeatGeek Stadium
    August 7, 2022
  • NEWS RELEASES
  • Jeffery M. Leving fights for your rights
    Psychological support for divorcing dads topic of CLE at Leving firm
    March 14, 2023
  • Tony Award Winner Robert Falls returns to Goodman Theatre to direct his adaptation of "The Cherry Orchard" Photo courtesy Goodman Theatre
    Tony Award Winner Robert Falls returns to Goodman Theatre to direct his adaptation of “The Cherry Orchard”
    March 6, 2023
  • Popular Ziyad Brand Green Za'ater. Photo courtesy of Ziyad Brothers
    Ziyad Brothers reports that the appeal of Mediterranean foods continues to rise among consumers
    February 16, 2023
  • Jeffery M. Leving fights for your rights
    No-contact order protects child from reported abuse
    February 16, 2023
  • Author Patrick Girondi
    Prominent producer to write screen adaptation of story on the fight against Thalassemia
    February 8, 2023
John Kass Columns

Order the book PoweR PR; Ethnic Activists Guide to Strategic Communications

  • BUSINESS NEWS
  • Ronette McCarthy, a candidate for Mayor of Palos Park, addresses the Palos Park Village Board on the issue of expanding Wu's House parking into land adjacent to the huge restaurant on the east.
    Whoa is Wu’s House in Palos Park
    March 14, 2023
  • Popular Ziyad Brand Green Za'ater. Photo courtesy of Ziyad Brothers
    Ziyad Brothers reports that the appeal of Mediterranean foods continues to rise among consumers
    February 16, 2023
  • Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar
    Cook County Announces Call for Transportation and Community Grant Program Applications
    January 23, 2023
  • money $20 dollar bill, dollars, cash
    Buckner unveils plan to help businesses and strengthen job
    January 19, 2023

YOUTUBE VIDEOS

Click this link to watch or use the widget below:

Click here to view the video on YouTube or use the widget below.
Email Ray Hanania for more information about performing at your event at rghanania@gmail.com.

Copyright © 2022 Suburban Chicagoland & Urban Strategies Group

Powered by PressBook Premium theme