NORMAL—Logan Malachuk and Gabe Kaminski made significant impacts as freshmen for Nazareth. It was just a warm up for three years of excellence.
The Roadrunners beat Joliet Catholic 29-27 on Saturday at ISU’s Hancock Stadium. The win secured a third consecutive Class 5A state championship for Nazareth.
Malachuk led the offense over those three titles and Kaminski the defense. The pair connected for a six-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter against the Hilltoppers. Kaminski, a Stanford recruit, also plays tight end.
Malachuck was sensational in his third title game. He was 18-for-31 for 336 yards and four touchdowns. Trenton Walker had four catches for 122 yards and two touchdowns. James Penley caught three passes for 88 yards and a touchdown for the Roadrunners (12-2).
Kicker/backup quarterback Frankie Nichols had two big moments for Nazareth. He pulled off a key fake punt and threw a two-point conversion.
Joliet Catholic (10-4) had a chance to tie the game in the final seconds. Vince Bremner scored on a two-yard run with 20 seconds left to cut Nazareth’s lead to 29-27. But the Hilltoppers failed to get the two-point conversion.
Joliet Catholic fails on the two-point conversion attempt with :20 left.
Nazareth leads the Hilltoppers 29-27 and are seconds from the Class 5A three-peat. pic.twitter.com/dfNJkkwi4h
— Michael O’Brien (@michaelsobrien) November 30, 2024
The running attack kept the Hilltoppers close. Larry Stringham had 23 carries for 148 yards and Nate Magrini had 125 yards and touchdown on 21 carries.
It’s the sixth state title for Nazareth and the 10th for coach Tim Racki, who won six with Driscoll.
Joliet Catholic has 15 state titles. The Hilltoppers are tied for the all-time lead with Mount Carmel, which plays Batavia at 4 p.m. in the Class 7A state title game.
Check back later for reaction from Nazareth and Joliet Catholic players and coaches.