CSNChicago.com preps reporter "Edgy" Tim O’Halloran spotlights 100 high school football teams in 100 days. The first 75 team profiles focus on teams making strides across Chicagoland and elsewhere in the state. Starting Aug. 1, we’ll unveil the @CSNPreps Top 25 Power Rankings, leading up to kickoff on Friday, Aug. 26. View Edgy Tim's other football previews here.
School: Nazareth Academy
Head coach: Tim Racki
How they fared in 2015: 12-2 (5-2) East Suburban Catholic Conference. Nazareth Academy made the 2015 Class 5A state playoff field. The Roadrunners defeated Sycamore, Solorio, Joliet Catholic, St. Laurence and Lincoln-Way West to capture the 2015 Class 5A state title.
Biggest storyline in 2016: Can the Roadrunners repeat as state champions this season?
Names to watch this season: OL/DL Devonte Dunn (Toledo), TE/DE Chris Sampleton (Yale)
Biggest holes to fill: The Roadrunners will need to replace its entire starting offensive skills from a season ago.
EDGY's Early Take: Despite a combination of graduation losses and transfers the Roadrunners look to still have a team that will compete for the East Suburban Catholic Conference and beyond. All eyes will be on the Roadrunners offense early on while the defense (eight starters) has the potential to be downright salty this season.
Nazareth Academy Roadrunners schedule
August 26, 7 p.m. vs. Dunbar
September 2, 7 p.m. vs. Leo
September 9,7:30 p.m. at Notre Dame
September 16, 7:30 p.m. vs. Carmel
September 23, 7:30 p.m. at Benet Academy
September 30, 7:30 p.m. at Joliet Catholic
October 7, 7 p.m. vs. Marist
October 14, 7:30 p.m. at St. Viator
October 21, 7:30 p.m. vs. Marian Catholic