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Nazareth claims conference crown
Updated: October 22, 2011 5:34PM
Junior running back Joshua Moore admits that winning the East Suburban Catholic Conference wasn’t even a goal for Nazareth this season.
Don’t mistake that for a lack of confidence in the team’s potential, however.
“We knew this was our time,” Moore said after Nazareth beat St. Viator 51-14 Saturday in LaGrange Park to earn a share of its first ever ESCC championship. “It’s a dream come true right now. We knew in our own family and in our program that this day was coming and it’s just a great feeling.”
Nazareth (8-1) finished 7-1 in conference play to share the championship with Marist (7-2, 7-1 in ESCC), which beat Joliet Catholic (7-2, 6-2 in ESCC) 56-51 Friday to earn its piece of the title.
The Roadrunners’ previous best previous conference finish was third in 2007 and 2008.
“Nine years ago, a lot of people were questioning why we got in this conference,” Nazareth coach Tim Racki said. “Nobody is laughing anymore. We’re blessed to be in this spot and it’s great for the school, community and fan base. This is something else.”
Nazareth stormed out to a 21-0 lead and was in control throughout the contest.
Moore rushed for 136 yards on 14 carries and scored three touchdowns to lead the offense, while senior Kalium Ewing returned two interceptions for touchdowns to spark the defense.
“It’s been a big year for us,” said Ewing, who now has returned four interceptions for TDs on the season. “Winning conference means a lot to us, the school and the community. Now we’ve got to focus on the playoffs.”
Nazareth finished 1-6 in the ESCC last season and went 2-5 in conference play in 2009.
“This goes back to my whole career, I’m not really a conference-goal guy,” said Racki, who guided Driscoll to four state championships before coming to Nazareth. “I’m more of a let’s get into the second season and position ourselves for the playoffs. That’s just been my philosophy. A conference championship is great for Nazareth and something we’ll enjoy today, but our goal has been the second season, which is now here. We’re excited.”
Moore caught a 17-yard touchdown pass from Sam Poulos to open the game’s scoring and Kevin Curtin added a 5-yard TD run to stretch the lead to 14-0. Ewing returned the first of his two interceptions 60 yards for a score to increase the lead to 21-0.
St. Viator (2-7, 1-7 in ESCC) got on the board when A.J. Wegrzyn scored on a 3-yard run late in the first quarter.
Moore added his second touchdown on a 3-yard run to make it 28-7, but St. Viator pulled within 28-14 at halftime thanks to a 13-yard TD pass from Mickey Macius to Brian Guth.
The second half was all Nazareth.
“We talked at halftime about the importance of establishing momentum for a playoff run and home field (advantage),” Racki said. “There was a lot at stake and they responded in the second half.”
Nazareth got scoring plays from Moore (51-yard run), Ewing (25-yard interception return) and Alex Reynolds (13-yard run), as well as a safety when Macius threw a pass behind the line of scrimmage and the ball rolled out of the end zone.
Thomas Gray and Pat Vitek both had a pair of sacks for the Roadrunners.
Nazareth will now compete in the playoffs for the first time since back-to-back appearances in 2007 and 2008.
“This is just the beginning,” Moore said. “We’ve been practicing hard since June and a new season is here. This is our time.”
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