November 12, 2024
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Logan Malachuk throws 3 TDs, Nazareth soars past Benet to lock up playoff bid

By Gregg Voss
Nazareth Academy's Edward Mcclain Jr (12) is lifted up by William Beargie (50) after scoring a touchdown against Benet Academy during a football game at Benedictine University in Lisle on Friday, Oct 21, 2022.

Nazareth Academy's Edward Mcclain Jr (12) is lifted up by William Beargie (50) after scoring a touchdown against Benet Academy during a football game at Benedictine University in Lisle on Friday, Oct 21, 2022. (Sean King for Shaw Local)

LISLE – Logan Malachuk is only a sophomore, but he’s already played in some pretty big football games for Nazareth.

Oct. 21 was one of them. Beat Benet on the road and the Roadrunners would secure playoff eligibility.

For Malachuk, there was no thought of the alternative. It didn’t enter his mind.

And it showed. Malachuk went 16-for-24 passing for 189 yards and three touchdowns to lead Nazareth to a 37-7 victory and a Class 5A playoff berth with a 5-4 record. Nazareth opens the playoffs at Glenbard South at 7 p.m. Friday.

What was Malachuk’s mentality coming in?

“Win,” Malachuk said simply. “Do whatever it takes. I’ll run, I’ll pass, I’ll hand it off. I just want to win and get to the playoffs.

“I knew we were going to win. I can say that. But by that much? No.”

Nazareth left no doubt it meant business Oct. 21. The Roadrunners scored on their first four drives with Malachuk throwing touchdown passes of 7, 14 and 16 yards and do-it-all senior Justin Taylor, a Wisconsin recruit, scoring on a 4-yard run.

Nazareth Academy's Justin Taylor (2) runs after the catch against Benet Academy during a football game at Benedictine University in Lisle on Friday, Oct 21, 2022.

Nazareth Academy's Justin Taylor (2) runs after the catch against Benet Academy during a football game at Benedictine University in Lisle on Friday, Oct 21, 2022. (Sean King for Shaw Local)

Edward McClain Jr. tacked on another touchdown early in the third quarter. A safety on the next Benet play put the Roadrunners up 37-0.

“We came in and we put our foot on the gas right away,” Taylor said. “We just had to get the momentum going right away, get our foot on the gas, and that was pretty much the motto the whole week.”

Benet finished 4-5.

The Redwings couldn’t get much going against a stout Nazareth defense. Three passers combined to go 6 for 17 with two interceptions and three sacks.

“It’s one of those things,” Benet coach Pat New said. “It was kind of like a whirlwind when the game started. They got those two early scores. We talked at halftime. We were trying to throw everything we had and nothing seemed to work.”

Nazareth Academy's William Beargie (50) celebrates after a state qualifying victory over Benet Academy at Benedictine University in Lisle on Friday, Oct 21, 2022.

Nazareth Academy's William Beargie (50) celebrates after a state qualifying victory over Benet Academy at Benedictine University in Lisle on Friday, Oct 21, 2022. (Sean King for Shaw Local)

Sophomore quarterback Enzo Hins scored Benet’s only touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

In the playoffs, Nazareth may have a big advantage in Class 5A after playing a tough conference schedule and facing several Class 7A and 8A teams.

How dangerous are the Roadrunners? Let Taylor count the ways.

“Everybody kind of overlooks us at 5-4 in the regular season, but if you look at it, we played a really tough schedule the first five games,” he said. “Just coming down to 5A and playing teams in our class, I think we’ll start off really fast and be really dangerous.”