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Published May 21, 2016
Preview: Nazareth Academy
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Tim OHalloran  •  EdgyTim
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EDGYTIM.com previews the 2016 Nazareth Academy Road Runners here. For more in depth preseason coverage including who are the Trojans Returning Starters, Newcomers to Watch along with EDGY's Way Too Early Take and Prediction on the 2016 Trojans. Make sure to subscribe to the EDGY Nation today.

School: Nazareth Academy

Mascot: Road Runners

Conference: East Suburban Catholic Conference

Twitter: @FootballNaz

Assistant Coaches: Casey Moran, Tom Minogue, Joe Reynolds, Andy Miller, Jeff Tumpane, Joe Battaglia, Steve Gray, Larry White, Jim Zimmerman, Rudy Luna, Dave Valdez, Matt Letcher

2015 results: 12-2 (5-2) ESCC). The Road Runners made the 2015 Class 5A state playoff field. Nazareth Academy defeated Sycamore, Solorio, JCA, St. Laurence and Lincoln-Way West to capture the 5A state football title.

2016 Nazareth Academy Road Runners Schedule

Dunbar

Leo

@ Notre Dame

Carmel

@Benet Academy

@ Joliet Catholic

Marist

@ St. Viator

Marian Catholic

Returning Offensive Starters
NamePositionGraduation YearHeightWeight

Aidan Bresnahan

K

2017

6-foot-0

185

Devonte Dunn

OL

2017

6-foot-3

284

Christian Sampleton

TE

2017

6-foot-4

235

Gavin Smith

OL

2018

6-foot-1

240

Returning Defensive Starters
NamePositionGraduation YearHeightWeight

Devonte Dunn

DT

2017

6-foot-3

284

Christian Sampleton

DE

2017

6-foot-4

235

Cameron Weems

DB

2017

5-foot-11

175

Wesley Lones

LB

2018

6-foot-1

185

Joshua Oglesby

DB

2018

5-foot-11

185

Austin Reifsteck

LB

2018

5-foot-11

200

Cameron Leach

LB/DL

2019

6-foot-3

245

Tom Henehan

DL

2017

5-foot-11

230

Newcomers to Watch
NamePositionGraduation YearHeightWeight

Nick Lugo

DB

2017

5-foot-9

160

AJ Rouse

QB/DB

2017

6-foot-3

210

Roger Veome

DB/WR

2017

5-foot-10

175

Isaiah lee

OL/DL

2018

6-foot-0

250

Mike Rotolo

OL/LB

2018

5-foot-11

215

Zach Stevens

QB

2018

6-foot-3

185

2016 Nazareth Academy Summer/7on7 plans

WEDS. 6/15-22-29, 7/13 8;30AM AT NAZ

OVER NIGHT CAMP ILLINOIS WESLEYAN JULY 17-20

Did you know...Nazareth Academy head coach Tim Racki has complied an impressive 154-54 overall record in 18 years as a head coach and includes 6 state football titles. Racki coached 7 years at Driscoll Catholic before coming over to Nazareth Academy.

Top Impact Player for Nazareth Academy in 2016? Senior OL/DL Devonte Dunn (Toledo) has been a mainstay on both sides of the football for the Road Runners since his freshman season. Dunn will again be asked to lead the Road Runners on and off the field this fall.

Biggest Concern heading into 2016? What happened to all of the offensive skills? Since winning the3 2015 IHSA Class 5A state title gone to transfer is Iowa bound RB Ivory Kelly-Martin (Oswego East) and two year starting senior WR Justin Weller (TBA).

EDGYTIM's Way Too Early Take on the 2016 Nazareth Academy? It's going to be another interesting season at Naz. The defense looks pretty stout on paper while the offense will need to "find" itself this summer. If the offense (including the offensive line in particular) can come around sooner rather than later, the Road Runners will be just fine. Nazareth Academy will also be a threat in either 5A or 6A come state playoff time.

EDGYTIM's Way Too Early regular season record prediction for Nazareth Academy? 8-1/7-2