Nazareth coach relishing ex-stars J.J. McCarthy, Tyler Morris leading Michigan to national championship game

Nazareth football coach Tim Racki celebrated another milestone with Michigan’s 34-13 victory over Washington in college football’s national championship game Monday night.

Racki, who has won nine state high school football championships, was in attendance in Houston to watch two of his former players – Michigan junior quarterback J.J. McCarthy and sophomore wide receiver Tyler Morris – compete for the national championship. McCarthy guided the Roadrunners to a 31-10 victory over St. Charles North in the 2018 Class 7A state title game at Memorial Stadium.

Racki played football at Addison Driscoll and Southern Illinois, but his background also includes an affinity for maize and blue. Racki said the title game carried an extra meaning for him, aside from his former players.

“It’s beyond just J.J. and Tyler because, ironically, I was born in Michigan,” Racki said. “I always wanted to play for Michigan. Two of my guys are playing in the national title game for Michigan, so it’s extra special, even if I wasn’t a Michigan fan. But I’m a Michigan fan born. I moved to Illinois, but the only thing that stuck with me was Michigan football. I’ve been watching Michigan football for my whole life.”

McCarthy and Morris were two of several area players on the Michigan roster. Yorkville graduate Josh Beetham is a senior tight end, Oswego graduate Deakon Tonielli is a freshman tight end and Benet graduate John Weidenbach is a freshman linebacker.

Racki said he was highly emotional watching McCarthy lead the Wolverines to a thrilling overtime victory over Alabama in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1.

Morris scored the first touchdown of his college career in the Rose Bowl victory. Morris snared a drag-route pass from McCarthy, sprinting 38 yards for a touchdown in the 27-20 overtime win over the Crimson Tide.

“I was like a 10-year-old, jumping, screaming, crying and glued to the television,” Racki said. “Just seeing J.J throw a touchdown to Tyler in the Rose Bowl was so exciting and special. After the game, J.J. texted me, saying him and Tyler were laughing on the sidelines betting [Racki] was crying.”

McCarthy has a 27-1 record as a starter at Michigan. He led the Wolverines to their first national championship since 1997.

Racki said he maintains weekly communication with his former quarterback via text, mentioning that McCarthy and former Nazareth star and Seattle Seahawks safety Julian Love both made short motivational videos for his team to watch before their Class 5A state title victory over Joliet Catholic this season.

“I still support him and that [video] J.J. and Julian Love did was cool,” Racki said. “What makes me most proud of J.J. is he’s more consumed with the team’s success like when they ran the ball a lot against Penn State. As long as the team wins, he’s happy. He doesn’t care about stats. The biggest thing is he got team MVP at Michigan, which is voted by the team. That makes me most proud. He gets it.”

Morris, who transferred to Plainfield East for his senior season, has endured an up-and-down career since suffering a serious knee injury in his junior season at Nazareth. He had caught 13 passes for 197 yards and a touchdown for the Wolverines this season going into the national championship game.

“Tyler had his knee injury, but Michigan still honored his scholarship,” Racki said. “Tyler has functional speed that you don’t see in a 40-yard dash.”