Player of the Week: Michael Love scores 3 TDs to carry Nazareth past Simeon

By Satchel Price

Nazareth’s Michael Love (20). Worsom Robinson/For the Sun-Times.

One week after being named a finalist for the Sun-Times’ Player of the Week, Nazareth’s Michael Love took home the honor Monday for his stellar performance in Nazareth’s 34-27 quarterfinal victory over Simeon. The star running back caught five passes and scored three touchdowns, including one off a 75-yard punt return, to lead the Roadrunners into the Class 8A semifinals.

Willowbrook quarterback Sam Tumilty, Cary-Grove running back Danny Daigle, Crete-Monee playmaker Jamal Safo and Richards running backs Leshon Williams and Sebastian Castro were this week’s runner-ups. Tumilty threw for 396 yards in a loss to Batavia and Safo recorded 255 total yards against Washington, but like the others, they didn’t top Love.

Love, a commit to Bowling Green, has turned it on in the playoffs to lead Nazareth to three consecutive victories. He’s returned punts for touchdowns in back-to-back games while making a big impact on offense. The Roadrunners rely on Love to make plays in various roles, from running back to receiver to returner, and he’s delivered this postseason. Over the past two games, he’s totaled six touchdowns.

Player of the Week time! Four athletes up this week. Second week in a row, Nazareth athlete @michaellove06 is up with three TDs - including a 75-yard KOR for TD that sparked the Naz team to the win. + a 2pt conversion, he did it all in a big win against Simeon. @nazarethlgp pic.twitter.com/JqsQ2K2qJQ
— Beth Long (@Beth_Long) November 12, 2018

Nazareth needed all of those points to take down Simeon, which entered the quarterfinal unbeaten as the No. 1 seed in the bracket. The Wolverines jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter Saturday before the Nazareth offense came alive behind Love and quarterback J.J. McCarthy.

Next up for Love and Nazareth is a home matchup against unbeaten Batavia (12-0) in the semifinals. Whoever wins will face the winner of Mount Carmel-St. Charles North in the state championship game on Nov. 24.

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