Nazareth Preps

Sophia Towne tallied 12 points, five assists, two steals and two rebounds to spark visiting Nazareth to a 55-49 victory that snapped Benet’s 22-game winning streak.

Benet hosted Nazareth in girls varsity basketball on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025 in Lisle.

Nazareth Academy's Dance Team has once again qualified for state competition

The CCL/ESCC will lose plenty of talented players to graduation, but there's plenty of talent left to watch this fall. Here are 10 CCL/ESCC players to watch for the 2025 season.

Nazareth junior Stella Sakalas, who scored 17 points, including her 1,000th career point, in Nazareth’s win over York at the Coach Kipp Hoopsfest, is the Suburban Life Athlete of the Week in an online vote. Here is her Q&A with Joshua Welge.

Valparaiso recruit Allia von Schlegell hit six of seven 3-pointers and scored 24 points, and Nazareth shot 61% from the floor and from the 3-point line in blowing out Montini 67-33 at the Coach Kipp Hoopsfest at Benet.

Lyons Township faced St. Charles East girls basketball in the Coach Kipp Hoopsfest at Nazareth Academy on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025 in La Grange Park.

Nazareth senior Allia von Schlegell, who was named MVP in leading the Roadrunners to the championship of the Sandburg Holiday Classic, is the Suburban Life Athlete of the Week in an online vote. Here is her Q&A with Joshua Welge.

Stella Sakalas' childhood has been a unique one that has spanned two continents. Now the junior is at a unique juncture in the Nazareth basketball program. The story behind the talented Nazareth junior and more in Joshua Welge's girls basketball notes.

Nazareth faced Glenbard West on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024 in the Jack Tosh Holiday Classic boys basketball tournament in Elmhurst.

Rasim Johnson scored two baskets in the final minute of regulation to force overtime, and Danny Wrzesinski scored 19 points with the go-ahead basket in the extra period as Nazareth stunned Glenbard West at the 50th Jack Tosh Holiday Classic.

Nazareth's Gabe Kaminski led the Roadrunners to three straight state championships and broke an IHSA record along the way. He earned Friday Night Drive's 2024 Defensive Player of the Year.

Congrats to all of the players who made Friday Night Drive's 2024 Team of the Year

Here is the 2024 Suburban Life All-Area football team.

Nazareth senior linebacker and Stanford recruit Gabe Kaminski, who led the Roadrunners to three consecutive Class 5A state championships, is the Suburban Life Player of the Year.

Nazareth hosted Benet in girls basketball on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024 in La Grange Park.

Brown recruit Lindsay Harzich scored 12 points and had four steals, and Benet started fast and went on to a 66-49 win at Nazareth.

Meet Friday Night Drive’s 2024 All-CCL/ESCC team, which was selected by the Friday Night Drive staff with input from coaches across the 24-team league.

Downers Grove North girls basketball faced Nazareth in the Dave Yates Chicagoland Showcase on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024 at Fremd in Palatine.

Nazareth sophomore Sophia Towne stole the spotlight with a team-high 22 points in a 54-38 win over Downers Grove North on Saturday at the Dave Yates Chicagoland Showcase.

Here is a list of CCL/ESCC football players who have committed to colleges at various levels and can sign their financial aid agreements starting Wednesday.

Nazareth seniors set a new standard for the Roadrunners' program on and off the field after winning their third straight state championship. Plus more CCL/ESCC notes on Mount Carmel, Loyola, Montini, DePaul Prep and Joliet Catholic.

Logan Malachuk threw four touchdown passes and Nazareth stopped a two-point conversion in the final seconds to beat Joliet Catholic 29-27 in a Class 5A championship game rematch and win the program's third straight state title.

Frankie Nichols' two-point conversion pass to Henry Sakalas didn't go as planned, but worked out perfectly for Nazareth, and was one of two Nichols' special teams plays that were critical to the 29-27 win over Joliet Catholic in the Class 5A state championship game.

Nazareth faces Joliet Catholic in the state title game of the 2024 Class 5A IHSA football playoffs. Friday Night Drive reporter Michal Dwojak will have live updates, scores and news from the game

Nolan Daly never intended to play football at Nazareth. The senior defensive tackle, though, is wrapping up a stellar career for the Roadrunners. A three-year starter, Daly was a key figure in back-to-back titles. Nazareth plays Joliet Catholic in the Class 5A final Saturday.

Mount Carmel relished the opportunity to reach its third straight Class 7A state championship game after battling adversity this season. Plus more CCL/ESCC notes on Nazareth, Loyola, St. Rita, championship numbers and the Prep Bowl.

The 2024-2025 boys basketball season tips off this week. Here are previews of teams from around the Suburban Life area.

Logan Malachuk threw three touchdown passes – two in a tone-setting first quarter – and Gabe Kaminski and Nazareth's defense forced four turnovers as the Roadrunners reversed the result from a Week 9 loss to St. Francis with a 40-21 win in a Class 5A semifinal.

Nazareth hosted St. Francis football in a Class 5A state semifinal on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024 in La Grange Park.

St. Francis faces Nazareth in the semifinals of the 2024 Class 5A IHSA football playoffs. Friday Night Drive editor Josh Welge will have live updates, scores and news from the game

Here are previews and picks for all the IHSA semifinal football games for teams in the Suburban Life coverage area.

Jeremiah Peterson isn’t surprised at his outstanding season playing a leading role for Montini. But Peterson, who had 120 tackles and an interception return for a touchdown in his junior season, is surprised at one aspect – his position.

Mount Carmel's offense has clicked during the playoffs, averaging 51 points in three games and advancing the Caravan to the Class 7A semifinals. Plus more CCL/ESCC notes on DePaul Prep, St. Francis, St. Laurence and playoff numbers.

As the girls basketball season tips off this week, here are previews of teams from around the Suburban Life coverage area.

Logan Malachuk threw for 212 yards and two touchdowns, Lesroy Title ran for two TDs and Nazareth rolled to a 42-8 win at Rochelle in a Class 5A quarterfinal to set up a semifinal rematch next week with St. Francis.

Nazareth faces Rochelle in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Class 5A IHSA football playoffs. Friday Night Drive correspondent Russ Hodges will have live updates, scores and news from the game

Here are previews and picks for all the quarterfinal-round games for teams in the Suburban Life coverage area.

Lyons senior wide receiver/defensive back Travis Stamm and Downers Grove North senior linebacker/running back Jake Gregorio were among Suburban Life area football players named to the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association All-State teams released Wednesday.

St. Francis junior wide receiver Zach Washington is one of the top players in the state. His goal is to make St. Francis the TOP team in the state, but the Spartans have a tough test at Sycamore this week. That, York's offensive line paves path back to quarterfinals and more.

St. Laurence regained its explosivness at the beginning of the playoffs with the return of some key players. Plus more CCL/ESCC notes on Mount Carmel, Montini and CCL/ESCC numbers.

Downers Grove North's boys cross country team, ranked No. 1 since preseason, ran away with a dominating repeat Class 3A state championship, while in a tight 3A girls race York took second and Downers Grove North third. And Benet's Finn Richards won the Class 2A boys state title.

Jake Cestone hauled in three touchdown receptions, and Garrett Reese intercepted a pass to power Nazareth to a 42-20 victory in LaGrange Park.

Here are previews and picks for all the second-round games for teams in the Suburban Life coverage area.

The CCL/ESCC announced its 2024 season awards for each of the six divisions. Here are all the coach and individual awards, including all-conference honors.

Here are previews and picks for all the first-round games for teams in the Suburban Life coverage area.

Benet is entering the playoffs for the first time since 2019 on the right note after winning the Purple in Week 9, its first CCL/ESCC division crown. Plus more notes on Marmion, Loyola, Mount Carmel and playoff statistics.

Here are the first-round matchups for each CCL/ESCC team. Dates and times will be updated when confirmed.

St. Francis quarterback Brady Palmer returned after taking a late hit well out of bounds, throwing four touchdown passes with the game-winner to Zach Washington as the Spartans beat Nazareth 39-36.

Nazareth faces St. Francis in Week 9 of the 2024 IHSA football season. Friday Night Drive correspondent Scott Schmid will have live updates, scores and news from the game