The Nazareth Academy (LaGrange Park, IL) varsity football team will play a home playoff game against St. Francis (Wheaton, IL) today at 1 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 Illinois High School Football Playoff Brackets for Class 5A.

What: Illinois High School Football
Who: Nazareth Academy (IL) vs St. Francis (IL)
When: Saturday, November 23, 2024
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Bracket: 2024 Illinois High School Football Playoff Brackets: IHSA – Class 5A
Live stream: Watch live on NFHS Network

St. Francis vs. Nazareth Academy: A Showdown to Remember

As the high school football season intensifies, the upcoming playoff matchup between St. Francis and Nazareth Academy promises to be one for the ages. With both teams boasting impressive records and high-powered offenses, fans are eagerly awaiting what could be an epic clash. Here’s a closer look at how these two teams stack up against each other, their past performances, and what to expect from the game.

Team Records and Rankings

• St. Francis enters the game with a solid 10-2 record, coming off a tight 39-36 victory over Nazareth Academy in their previous meeting. Their success is largely driven by a dynamic offensive strategy that has averaged 41.3 rushing yards and 36.2 passing yards per game. Defensively, they have excelled, with an impressive 16.8 tackles per game and 0.6 sacks per game.
• Nazareth Academy, with an overall 11-2 record, is no slouch. They have demonstrated remarkable consistency, winning 3 of their 3 common opponents’ games, and have been dominant in the passing game, averaging 36.2 receiving yards and 19.8 passing yards per game. Defensively, they have excelled with 4.3 tackles per game and 0.1 sacks per game, highlighting a strong but perhaps less aggressive defensive style compared to their opponents.

Scoring and Performance Averages

The two teams have significantly different offensive dynamics:

• St. Francis has averaged 30.3 points per game, with strong contributions across all four quarters, including 7.4 points in the fourth quarter, which was pivotal in their previous win over Nazareth Academy.
• Nazareth Academy, on the other hand, leads in scoring with an average of 37.4 points per game. Their offensive strength is especially prominent in the first half, where they average 28 points across the first two quarters alone. Their ability to score quickly early in games will be critical to keeping up with St. Francis’ balanced offensive attack.

Head-to-Head Showdown

In their most recent meeting on October 25, St. Francis edged out Nazareth Academy with a 39-36 victory, demonstrating their ability to come from behind. The game was tightly contested, with St. Francis outscoring Nazareth in the second half after being down in the first half. This victory will give St. Francis a psychological edge heading into the playoff matchup.

Key Players to Watch

• TyVonn Ransom of St. Francis has been a standout with 97.7 rushing yards per game, making him a critical piece of their offensive strategy.
• Brady Palmer, quarterback for St. Francis, is another key player, averaging 143.3 passing yards per game and contributing 6 points per game. His ability to perform in high-pressure moments will be essential for St. Francis in the playoff setting.

For Nazareth Academy, look out for:

• Edward McClain Jr., who has been their standout rusher with 54.0 rushing yards per game.
• Logan Malachuk, the team’s quarterback, who has amassed an impressive 254.0 total yards per game, making him a significant threat both in the air and on the ground.

Team Comparisons: Key Stats

In terms of total yards per game:

• St. Francis leads with 77.4 yards per game, significantly outpacing Nazareth Academy’s 34.0 yards per game. This difference highlights St. Francis’ multifaceted attack, combining strong rushing and passing games.

Defensively, both teams will need to step up:

• St. Francis averages 16.8 tackles per game, with notable individual performances such as Ryan Palmeri’s 7.3 tackles per game.
• Nazareth Academy has a slightly lower tackle count at 4.3 tackles per game, but players like Gabe Kaminski (who averages 9.0 tackles per game) will need to elevate their play to contain St. Francis’ dynamic offense.

Recent Common Opponents

Both teams have faced several common opponents this season:

• St. Francis went 2-1 in games against Kenwood, St. Rita, and IC Catholic Prep, with notable wins over IC Catholic Prep and Kenwood.
• Nazareth Academy, however, went 3-0 against the same teams, winning convincingly against St. Rita, IC Catholic Prep, and Kenwood.

Looking Ahead: Playoff Implications

This game isn’t just another regular-season contest—it’s a chance for both teams to prove they have what it takes to advance deep into the playoffs. St. Francis will look to build on their previous win and their strong balance between offense and defense. Meanwhile, Nazareth Academy, led by their explosive offense and solid defense, will aim to prove they can take down the team that narrowly edged them last month.

With playoff positions on the line, every play, every decision, and every moment will be crucial as these two powerhouse teams clash in what promises to be an unforgettable game.

Conclusion

Whether it’s St. Francis’ all-around strength or Nazareth Academy’s first-half dominance, one thing is certain—this matchup is set to be a thrilling showdown. With both teams heading into the game with strong records and talented rosters, fans should expect nothing less than an epic battle under the lights. Will St. Francis repeat their success, or will Nazareth Academy get the revenge they seek? Only time will tell.