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Fenwick ends Nazareth’s season, 28-17 Road Runners optimistic for 2022; Friars in semifinal By Steve Metsch Nazareth made it the Class 5A football quarterfinals with a solid defense and an impressive freshman quarterback. In the end, however, that defense buckled and that quarterback looked like a freshman against a Fenwick team with 30 seniors on…
Nazareth rallies, advances in Class 5A Taylor and Harris lead the way for Road Runners By Steve Metsch Powered by faith and trust – two words heard often after the team’s latest win – there’s no telling how far Nazareth can go in the Class 5A playoffs. Nazareth (7-4) will host Fenwick (9-2) in a…
One strange season Prep football 2021: A year we will remember By Steve Metsch High school football fans, coaches, players and reporters may disagree about which team is the best. But one thing they all agree on is that this season won’t be soon forgotten. Thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, the…
Grant, Rolder lead Marist Two TDs, two pickoffs result in 13-0 win at Naz By Steve Metsch Two was a big number when Marist played at Nazareth on Saturday. Marist linebacker Jimmy Rolder made two key interceptions – including one at the goal-line – to stymie Nazareth scoring drives. And Marist running back Jamari Grant…
Thrown for a loss Uncertainty forces star quarterback to leave Naz By Steve Metsch Tim Racki has a glittering record as a high school football coach – taking two schools to nine state title games and winning seven – but his biggest challenge may come this fall. Not only does Racki not know if there…
Nazareth girls squander lead Whitney Young rallies from 18-point deficit for win By Steve Metsch Whitney Young’s Olivia Vick may be a freshman, but she plays with the poise of a seasoned veteran. Consider Saturday afternoon when the 14-year-old’s precise shooting from beyond the arc proved fatal for Nazareth. Vick scored five three-pointers in the…
Nazareth girls tune up Edge De La Salle; Montini tourney next By Steve Metsch One play can mean so much in a basketball game. Such was the case in Friday night’s non-conference game for the Nazareth girls. In a tight contest with a scrappy De La Salle team, host Nazareth found itself clinging to a…
Mount Carmel wins Class 7A Defense and running game ruin Nazareth repeat By Steve Metsch As Mount Carmel Head Coach Jordan Lynch noted Saturday night, “defense wins championships.” Boy, does it ever. The Caravan defense shut down a prolific Nazareth offense that came in averaging 44 points in the playoffs. Mount Carmel held Nazareth…
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…
Strongs’ four TDs lead Nazareth Defense silences Thornton in second half, 49-21 By Steve Metsch Nazareth needed four touchdowns from senior running back Derrick Strongs, Jr., – and one momentum changing sack – to silence an inspired Thornton team on Nov. 9. Host Nazareth (11-0) won the Class 7A second-round playoff game, 49-21, however the…
Second half powers Nazareth Big rally “shows what we can do,” Morris says By Steve Metsch After being pushed around by Fenwick’s football team in the first half Sept. 13, Nazareth Academy knew something had to change. The host Roadrunners were clinging to a 7-0 lead after Riley Theobald’s 16-yard touchdown run in the second…
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…
Nazareth routs Andrew Evans plays through heartache, scores three TDs By Steve Metsch Diamond Evans was given an option by Coach Tim Racki before Nazareth’s first-round Class 7A playoff game. The star receiver’s grandfather, Wesley Ivy, died in Missouri on Friday. Racki told Evans he could grieve with his family, watch the game, play in…
Improvising pays for Nazareth Punt turned touchdown highlights 49-20 win By Steve Metsch You know it’s your night when your punter, sensing an imminent blocked kick, scampers 57 yards untouched for a touchdown. With Nazareth leading 28-7 early in the third quarter Friday night, Michael Love was set to punt from his 43-yard line. Noticing…