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

Suburban Chicagoland

Original News, Features & Opinion on local and regional news you won't find anywhere else

  • About
    • About
    • Advertise
    • Our Writers
      • Ray Hanania
      • Bill Lipinski
      • Biography: Aaron Hanania
      • Steve Metsch
      • Steve Neuhaus
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Reach Out
  • 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
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Comment
  • Podcast
    • Ray Hanania on Politics
    • Two Guys on Politics
    • Hanania on Tiktok
  • News Wire
  • Toggle search form
  • Orland Park Mayor Jim Dodge
    Orland Park Village Board Appoints George Koczwara as Village Manager Government
  • Author Charlene Wexler
    Newly released novel, ‘We Won’t Go Back’ Published, addresses women’s issues Books & Films
  • Baby names. Photo courtesy of sincerely-media-9s7EOmv2HDA-unsplash
    Olivia and Liam Remain Most Popular Baby Names for 2024 Baby Boomers
  • Fathers Rights Attorney Jeffery M. Leving
    Dad who feared losing son forever, won in court, keeping son in the U.S.  Dads' Rights
  • Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash
    Roseland Ceasefire Warns Chicago’s Homicide Numbers Could Be Victims of  Trump’s Targeted Cuts Chicago
  • (Back) Dep Fire Chief Nick Cinquepalmi, retiring Board President John Brudnak, Trustee Donald “DJ” Jeffers, Board President Beth Damas Kaspar, Trustee Bridget Eileen Tolan, retired Fire Chief Michael Schofield, front, retiring Trustee Jayne Schirmacher.
    ​Orland Fire District elects first-ever woman Board President breaking news
  • Congresswoman Robin Kelly
    Congresswoman Robin Kelly clear leader in race to succeed Senator Dick Durbin Blogger
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    The $2 billion wealth transfer: How Cook County’s property tax appeals system rewards businesses at the expense of homeowners breaking news
  • Lyons Township Board
    Lyons Township Democrats celebrate public support at annual fundraiser Bridgeview
  • OFPD Jr cadet camp June 26 2025
    Registration opens May 9 for Orland Fire Kids Camp and Jr Cadet Programs Events
  • 19-year-old Victor Martinez charged by Cicero police in 2016 murder
    Cicero police arrest suspect in 2016 murder of Julio Servin Crime
  • OFPD Commissioner Donald "DJ" Jeffers, OFPD Trustee Beth Damas Kaspar, and former Palos Heights Police CSO Bridget Eileen Tolan, will take the oath of office for the OFPD Board of Trustees on Monday May 5, 2025
    Fiscal Voices candidates to take Oath of Office for Trustee for Orland Fire District Monday elections
  • Cook County Commissioner Aguilar expresses strong support for "workers' rights" at rally Thursday Commissioner Frank J. Aguilar joined May Day Celebrations, May 1, 2025, and spoke at the rally in support of workers' rights and immigration
    Cook County Commissioner Aguilar expresses strong support for “workers’ rights” at rally Thursday Civil Rights
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    When it comes to voting on property tax referendums, the few decide for the many Blogger
  • Illinois Senator Michael Hastings, 19th Senate District
    Hastings working to ensure vet techs have necessary training Government

Nazareth one win away

Posted on November 26, 2019 By Steve Metsch No Comments on Nazareth one win away
SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  

Nazareth one win away

Tyler Morris scores five TDs in semifinal rout

By Steve Metsch

Thanksgiving morning will find Nazareth Head Coach Tim Racki, his assistants and team practicing on their football field behind the school.

They don’t mind one bit.

“It’s the best practice of the year,” Racki said Saturday. “You go in the morning, you’re playing football, then you go eat turkey, then you sleep in Friday, and practice again.

“You’re not going to a Turkey Bowl with the neighbors. You’re going to practice for a state title,” Racki added.

Behind the dazzling performances of sophomore receiver Tyler Morris and junior quarterback J.J. McCarthy – who teamed for five touchdowns – Nazareth beat host Rolling Meadows 42-14 in a Class 7A semifinal game. Rolling Meadows came into the game 12-0.

“You never expect that in a semifinal game,” Racki said, “but I did stress all week that we wanted to have a fast start.”

Nazareth delivered, scoring on its first four possessions.

Morris caught four touchdowns from McCarthy in the first quarter. Morris finished with nine receptions for 228 of the team’s 509 total yards. McCarthy was 20 of 27 for 350 yards.

Sophomore Tyler Morris, left, caught five touchdown passes from J.J. McCarthy in Nazareth’s 42-14 rout of Rolling Meadows. The win puts Nazareth in the Class 7A state title game against Mount Carmel at 4 p.m. Saturday at Northern Illinois University. Photo by Steve Metsch.

 

The win sets up a clash of unbeatens when Nazareth plays Mount Carmel at 4 p.m. Nov. 30 at Northern Illinois University for the Class 7A crown. The defending 7A champ, Nazareth is in its third straight title game and fifth in six years.

Racki “knew we were ready” after Thursday’s practice.

“Our execution was precise. Our technique was impeccable. Our focus was locked in. That’s why (Friday’s) practice was just a little under an hour,” Racki said.

Morris downplayed his glittering numbers: “One player can’t win the game for you … It’s my teammates blocking. It’s J.J. making the throws. It’s not just all me.”

Morris nearly had a sixth touchdown but stepped out of bounds: “It would have been nice to have another, but I wasn’t too mad about it.”

Nazareth’s stingy defense held Rolling Meadow to 205 total yards, and set up the first two scores.

Junior defensive end Daine Hanson pounced on a loose ball at the 10-yard line after Rolling Meadows botched a lateral pass on its first play from scrimmage. Two plays later, Morris caught a 7-yard TD pass.

Hanson said, “I thought ‘it’s behind the line of scrimmage, I’ll just jump on it’.”

On the Mustangs’ next possession, freshman defensive back Kaleb Miller intercepted a pass and returned it to Rolling Meadows’ 35-yard line. McCarthy threw a touchdown pass to Morrison the first play.

“We were off to the races after that,” Racki said.

That race slowed when Nazareth faced fourth and 22 at Rolling Meadows’ 26-yard line. But it soon resumed when McCarthy zipped a pass over the middle to Morris around the 10. He split two defenders for a 21-0 lead.

Landon Morris gained 24 yards on this reception, setting up Tyler Morris (no relation) for his fourth touchdown catch of the first quarter. Photo by Steve Metsch.

 

The next series, after Landon Morris (no relation) had a 24-yard reception, McCarthy threw a 33-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Morris for a 28-0 with 1:45 left in the first quarter.

“We ran into a buzz saw. That’s an extremely good football team,” Rolling Meadows Head Coach Matt Mishler said. “We just didn’t execute well all day. That’s in large part due to Naz and what they were doing.”

McCarthy credited receivers Landon Morris, Tanner Koziol, Isaiah Emmanuel and Miller with drawing defenders away from the speedy Morris.

Racki knows Morris – who has caught 17 of McCarthy’s 33 touchdown passes this season – is dangerous.

“Whenever you get Tyler the ball in an open space – which is what he does well and J.J. knows that – he’s going to create plays, which is what he did.”

Senior running back Alex Carrillo made it 35-0 with a three-yard run in the second quarter. Nazareth led 42-0 after McCarthy threw his fifth TD pass, a 61-yard play, to Morris to the sidelines for Morris with 9:42 left in the third.

Rolling Meadows senior quarterback Carson Schiller, who threw late touchdowns of 50 and 10 yards, said Nazareth’s defense is “a lot more physical.”

“They were showing different blitzes. Then they’d back up and send someone else,” Schiller said. “(We had) no momentum on offense.”

Asked about returning to the title game, McCarthy smiled and said, “It means a lot to get there, but we’re not done. We’re not satisfied. We haven’t won anything yet.”

Mount Carmel beat Willowbrook 26-7 Saturday. Caravan Head Coach Jordan Lynch is trying to win his first state title while Racki (7-1 in title games) is trying to win his eighth.

“It stinks to lose,” Racki said, “but your goal is to play in the last game of the year. This is a huge accomplishment for us. It’s going to be a tremendous game.”

Desplaines Valley News 

newswire info
  • 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)
  • Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band are still rockin’ - August 10, 2023
  • Weathering personal storms - July 20, 2023
  • Countryside solution irks some - July 20, 2023
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  
 
 
 
           
News, Suburban Chicagoland Tags:Class 7A, J.J. McCarthy, Landon Morris, Nazareth, Rolling Meadows, semifinal, Tim Racki, Tyler Morris

Post navigation

Previous Post: Pekau clamps down on democracy, plays victim card again
Next Post: Summit loves Katie

Related Posts

  • Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel
    CAIR Condemns Rahm Emanuel for Anti-Muslim ‘Sunnis and Shiites’ Trope Government
  • Police Squad Car, courtesy of Wikipedia
    Two passengers killed in car-semi collision in Bridgeview breaking news
  • Trump releases winners of 2017 “Fake News” Awards Editors Pick
  • Cheney launches campaign to unseat Roskam News
  • Bill Foster Democrat 11th District Illinois
    Foster, Underwood, Durbin, Duckworth Introduce Legislation to Name Fermilab Research Center After Renowned Physicist Dr. Helen Edwards Cook County
  • Raymond Lopez, candidate 4th Congressional District March 19, 2024 Democratic Primary election
    Citizen champion Alderman Raymond Lopez announces his candidacy for U.S. Congress in 4th District Chicago

More Related Articles

Ray Hanania The verdict on Jury Duty in Cook County Blogger
Cook County Commissioner Frank Aguilar Cook County Awarding $1.5 Million in Honor Grants to Nonprofits That Serve Veterans Cook County
Chicago announces 2018 Millennium Park summer season events Chicago
Park dedication on Saturday News
Bill Foster Democrat 11th District Illinois Foster introduces bipartisan legislation to stop financing of criminal organizations Business
Cook County GOP Chairman Endorses Bruce Rauner for Re-election Government

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Login with your Social ID
Subscribe to Ray Hanania's column graphic

Enter Your Email to Subscribe to Ray Hanania’s Columns

  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • Congresswoman Robin Kelly
    Congresswoman Robin Kelly clear leader in race to succeed Senator Dick Durbin
    May 6, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    When it comes to voting on property tax referendums, the few decide for the many
    May 2, 2025
  • Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker
    Illinois has many better options than Pritzker’s choice to succeed Durbin
    April 27, 2025
  • Ray Hanania at 3 years old in Chicago with his mother, sister Linda and neighbor Paulie Hansen. 1956
    72 years around the sun, an experience that continues to grow
    April 19, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    You May Be Owed Money For Overpaying Property Taxes Up To 20 Years Ago
    April 18, 2025
  • Fathers Rights Attorney Jeffery M. Leving
    Men can be Victims of Domestic Abuse Too
    April 6, 2025
  • NEWS
  • Orland Park Mayor Jim Dodge
    Orland Park Village Board Appoints George Koczwara as Village Manager
    May 12, 2025
  • Author Charlene Wexler
    Newly released novel, ‘We Won’t Go Back’ Published, addresses women’s issues
    May 10, 2025
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png
  • SPORTS
  • Chicago Wovles play the Rockford Ice Hogs, Feb. 23, 2025
    Chicago Wolves Hockey skate Past Rockford Icehogs 4 to 2
    February 23, 2025
  • Chicago Wolves player Andrew Poturalski. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Wolves. https://www.chicagowolves.com
    The Chicago Wolves dispatched the Iowa Wild 4-1 on Saturday night at Allstate Arena.
    February 22, 2025
  • NEWS RELEASES
  • Orland Park Mayor Jim Dodge
    Orland Park Village Board Appoints George Koczwara as Village Manager
    May 12, 2025
  • Author Charlene Wexler
    Newly released novel, ‘We Won’t Go Back’ Published, addresses women’s issues
    May 10, 2025
John Kass Columns

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

YOUTUBE VIDEOS

CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO RAY HANANIA'S YOUTUBE VIDEOS


Click here to view the video on YouTube or use the widget below.

Follow Ray Hanania at
Twitter
Facebook
TitkTok
BlueSky
RayHanania Columns

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.

Categories

Copyright © 2022 Suburban Chicagoland & Urban Strategies Group

Powered by PressBook Premium theme