All season long, the Fenwick High School football team felt it could reach the IHSA Class 6A title game.
Saturday afternoon at Dennis Moran Field in LaGrange Park, the Friars made it real with a thrilling 28-27 semifinal victory over host Nazareth Academy, which was seeking its fourth consecutive state title. The win advanced Fenwick (10-3) to the state championship game for the second time in the past five years; the Friars won the Class 5A title in 2021.
“It’s a dream come true,” said Fenwick senior co-captain Tommy Thies. “It’s the greatest thing I could’ve ever asked for.”
“I’m so grateful for it all,” said Fenwick senior quarterback Jamen Williams (20-of-28, 297 yards, 3 TD). “Last year I got hurt and didn’t get a chance to play in the playoffs. For me to do what I’ve done this year, I’ve got to give it all to God.”
Nazareth (11-2) took the opening kickoff and marched down the field to the 1-yard line, but on first and goal, running back Charles Calhoun (22 rushes, 136 yds, TD) fumbled, and Michael Murphy recovered the ball at the two. The Friars then drove 98 yards on six plays as Tommy Thies capped things off with a 46-yard touchdown reception on a screen. Noah Sur’s point-after gave Fenwick a 7-0 lead at the 5:48 mark of the first quarter.
Nazareth’s Charles Calhoun gets stopped near the end zone on the final play of the game, giving Fenwick Friars the victory, sending them to the State Championship. (Ian McLeod) 
Fenwick’s Raphiel Stewart evades two Nazareth defenders to barely squeak into the end zone during first half action at Nazareth Academy on Saturday November 22 2025. (Ian McLeod) 
Will Tomzcak (10) about to catch another pass Saturday at Nazareth Academy. (Ian McLeod) 
QB Jamen Williams gets taken down in first half action at Nazareth Academy on Saturday November 22 2025. (Ian McLeod) 
Will Tomczak (10) tears down the sideline breaking tackles during an impressive rush in the first half on Saturday. (Ian McLeod) 
Fenwick’s Tommy Thies goes up to block a pass reception During first half action at Nazareth Academy. (Ian McLeod) 
Fenwick players are stoked after causing a fumble near their goal line in a key first quarter play on Saturday November 22 2025 at Nazareth Academy. (Ian McLeod) 
Fenwick’s Jamen Williams shows great sportsmanship, consoling Nazareth Academy’s Cash Coleman after the Friar victory Saturday November 22 2025. (Ian McLeod)
Nazareth tied the game on the next possession as Calhoun atoned for his fumble with a 7-yard touchdown reception from Jackson Failla (11-of-20, 164 yds, TD, 2 INT). Midway through the second quarter, Sur had a 42-yard field goal blocked, and Eddie McClain scooped up the ball and got to the Nazareth 44. Gifted excellent field position, the Roadrunners cashed in as Failla scored on a 2-yard keeper.
However, Fenwick had a response, and it came in the form of a 12-yard touchdown pass from Williams to Raphiel Stewart with :31 left, resulting in a 14-14 halftime tie.
Following a scoreless third quarter, Williams completed a short pass to Jake Thies early in the fourth, but Thies fumbled and Nazareth linebacker Dylan Wellner recovered. A few plays later, McClain’s 12-yard touchdown gave the Roadrunners a 21-14 lead with nine minutes remaining in regulation.
Down the stretch, Fenwick needed a big play defensively and got it as Josh Morgan made a diving interception at the Friars’ 27 with 4:25 to play.
“Coach said I was going to have two big plays, and that’s what happened. I had to make plays,” said Morgan, who also picked off Failla in the third.
Williams and junior Jake Thies (19 rushes, 107 yds; 5 receptions, 117 yards) combined for two huge pass completions of 49 and 33 yards respectively to get to the Nazareth 6. Two plays later, Williams scored on a 4-yard keeper to tie things at 21-21 with 1:13 left.
“Jamen is one of the best QBs in the state. I’ll stand on that,” Fenwick defensive back Aiden Williams said. “That’s my boy.”
Nazareth drove deep into Fenwick territory on the final drive of regulation and set up Billy Harding for a potential game-winning 33-yard field goal with five seconds left. But a bad snap and hold led to a low kick that sailed wide right as the game went into overtime.
Fenwick had the ball first from the Nazareth 10, and on third down, Williams found Tommy Thies open in the back of the end zone for an 11- yard score. Sur’s extra point made it 28-21.
On Nazareth’s possession, Calhoun scored from a yard out. But instead of a point-after kick, the Roadrunners opted to go for two and the win.
From the 3, Calhoun attempted to go left, but Jake Thies stuffed him at the line to clinch the victory for the Friars, which ignited a field storm by the Fenwick student section.
“We saw it was a run on the back side, and Jake went and got him. We were more physical,” Aiden Williams said.
“I wasn’t surprised [by going for 2] at all. I knew [Nazareth] wanted to win. That’s a good team, but we came up with the stop,” Jamen Williams said.
Fenwick meets East St. Louis, a 50-7 winner at St. Laurence in the other semifinal, for the 6A title at Illinois State University, Nov. 29, at 1 p.m.
“I’m really happy for our kids. They never stopped believing,” said Fenwick coach Matt Battaglia. “We’ve been working nonstop for this opportunity. Having one more week as a family, that’s why we do this as coaches.”
