Fenwick High School senior Nate Marshall, who’s been starring for the Friars’ boys basketball team this year, took a break from the hardwood to put on his football pads again and participate in one of the premier high school showcase games in the country last weekend.
Marshall, a defensive lineman who signed with the University of Michigan last month, recorded two tackles for loss, including a key sack late, to help lead the West team to a 13-7 victory over the East at the Navy All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas, Jan. 11. The game was nationally televised on NBC.
Fenwick High School senior Nate Marshall holds the winning trophy in the locker room at the Navy All-American Bowl in San Antonio, January 11. Marshall had two tackles for loss, including a key sack late in the game, to help lead the West to a 13-7 victory over the East. | Matt Battaglia 
Fenwick High School senior Nate Marshall with his parents, Khara (left) and Nate, at the Navy All-American Bowl in San Antonio, January 11. | Matt Battaglia 
Fenwick High School senior Nate Marshall with Fenwick football head coach Matt Battaglia after the Navy All-American Bowl, January 11. | Matt Battaglia
“It was a great opportunity for Nate to show the whole country what we already knew – he’s a great player,” said Fenwick football coach Matt Battaglia. “I’m blessed to have had the opportunity to go to San Antonio and watch Nate play football one more time in high school. He felt a little bad about missing basketball, but he also had a lot of fun.”
Last fall, Marshall helped lead Fenwick to an 8-3 record and the Chicago Catholic League /East Suburban Catholic Conference White Division championship. He finished with 60 tackles (including 11 for loss), 5.5 sacks, 13 quarterback hits, two pass breakups, one forced fumble, and three fumble recoveries. On offense playing wide receiver, he contributed four receiving touchdowns and one rushing score.
For his efforts, Marshall was named the CCL/ESCC White Tony Lawless Player of the Year. He was also named to the Chicago Sun-Times’ All-Area and Illinois High School Football Coaches Association Class 7A All-State teams.
Battaglia said having Marshall showcase his talents on national TV can only enhance the Fenwick program.
“Nate is a great example of the opportunities Fenwick presents,” he said. “We’re known for our academics, but we’re also really good with athletics. If you work hard, anything is possible.”