By Bobby Narang
Nazareth Academy High School head football coach Tim Racki has experienced extreme highs during his illustrious coaching career.
He’s won seven State championship, including four consecutive at the closed Driscoll in Addison. The former Southern Illinois University football player has notched a pair of second-place trophies, most recently in Class 7A in 2019.
Winning is normal for Racki.
But when the Roadrunners lost several players to transfer, including quarterback J.J. McCarthy during the 2020-21 season because of the coronavirus pandemic, Racki had a thin roster when the Spring season started this year. Nazareth finished with a 2-3 record in five games in the shortened, nonplayoff, Spring season. The season ended with a frustrating 3-0 home loss to Benet Academy.
After the Roadrunners lost their first three games, to Richards, Lemont, and Marist, this season, Racki never doubted his players could turn it around. Now, after closing the regular season with three straight victories to qualify for the playoffs, the Roadrunners, 7-4, are among the last few teams standing after defeating Marmion Academy, 23-15 in a Class 5A second-round playoff game November 6.
Senior wide receiver Trell Harris, who has more than 10 college offers, was the star in the victory over the Cadets, 7-4. He caught passes, played running back and Wildcat, and returned kickoffs and punts to end the Cadets’ season.
“I think the regular season and the teams we played really helped us,” Racki said. “We’ve been improving steadily each week, even in those early-season losses. We’re now accustomed to the tough type game, where you have to grind it out for four quarters and 48 minutes. They know how to recalibrate and find ways to grind it out. They make big plays and keep the games close.”
Racki admitted his team, not the traditional star-filled Nazareth teams of the past few years, has been a joy to coach.
“For me and the coaching staff, this season has been rewarding because we have incredible kids, even off the field,” Racki said. “They have high character and they listen, work hard, and practice hard. They do the right things, on and off the field. They all get along. This team has grown each week, and gotten closer and closer. It’s been personally rewarding watching them grow. It’s been one of the most rewarding seasons of my career, just watching them develop each week.”
Racki pointed to his team’s 28-14 road loss to Marist in week three as a turning point. The Roadrunners nearly knocked off St. Rita, losing 42-39 in week six. Marist, Lemont, and St. Rita all reached the playoff quarterfinals.
“It’s been awhile since I talked about moral victories, but when we hung with Marist, a Class 8A school, up until the end, it gave the guys confidence. Same with St. Rita. We were able to go to the wire with some great teams that we’re going to make runs in the playoffs.”
Next up for the Roadrunners is a tough test against explosive and deep Fenwick. The Friars, 9-2, scored 50 points in their first-round playoff victory over Kaneland.
“These are the kids that we played them a couple of years back, when they were all sophomores but now are all seniors and grown up,” Racki said. “They’re battle-tested, athletic, strong up front. Just leaning on my experience as a head coach, the quarterfinals you always play top teams. Fenwick has played a tough schedule. It should be a great match-up with our skill kids and our kids up front.”
• Willowbrook advanced to the quarterfinals for the fifth straight season after a stirring 30-26 comeback victory against Moline in a Class 7A second-round game. Willowbrook head coach Nick Hildreth admitted it’s a great accomplishment for his program.
“These kids play hard and are resilient,” he said. “I”m very proud of them….Our mantra is “maintain the culture” and what that means about the guys that come before us and after.”
The Warriors will play host to Wheaton North, 10-1, in a quarterfinal game, 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 12.