Nazareth keeps pedal to metal in win over St. Partick

When you have what teammates describe as the state’s best offensive line, with all four going to play Division I football, it’s easy to see how that team could put up a lot of points.

Nazareth scored 42 and 49 points, respectively, through its first two games this season. That didn’t change Saturday as the Roadrunners routed St. Patrick 52-27 at Hanson Stadium.

“It all starts with our offensive line, it’s the best in the state,” senior quarterback Jonah Beauduy said. “They start everything up front and it just makes it easier for all of us.”

It definitely looked like it would be easy for the Roadrunners (3-0, 1-0 East Suburban Catholic), as they scored on a one-yard run by Nolan Dean in the game’s opening drive.

After forcing a St. Patrick three-and-out, Dean scampered 43 yards for the second of his three touchdowns on the day.

“We just practice really hard during the week,” Dean said. “We work hard during the week and just continue that on Saturdays. It’s no different.”

Beauduy threw a touchdown to close the first quarter and give the Roadrunners a 21-7 lead, one St. Patrick couldn’t overcome.

Nazareth rushed for over 300 yards, led by Dean’s 191 yards on 20 carries.

As great a day as Dean had, Beauduy would not be outdone. The senior completed 9 of 13 passes for 202 yards and three touchdowns of 52, 25 and 46 yards, respectively.

“My line gave me time all day,” Beauduy said. “It wasn’t anything that they were throwing at us. When I have a lot of time, I can see everything around me.”

St. Patrick (2-1, 0-1) struggled to get any offensive rhythm in the first half, picking up only three first downs and turning the ball over twice, including a Zach Fuller interception brought back 93 yards by Julian Love for a touchdown.

“When our defense is playing good, our offense is too,” Dean said. “We see them playing well and it just makes us want to do that way too.”

The Shamrocks showed some life in the second half, as Fuller threw for a touchdown and running back Mike Olijnyk ran for one himself. Olijnyk finished the game with 75 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown, while Fuller finished 10-of-22 for 120 yards with a score and an interception.

“Every game is big for us,” Dean said. “We just look to take it one game at a time though. Every team we face is going to be tough and we know we can’t overlook them. It’s nice to get off to an undefeated start in both conference and overall.”