Kolinski kicks St. Francis past Nazareth
St. Francis senior Evan Kolinski had the kind of game that most kickers only dream about Friday night against Nazareth.
In the second quarter, Kolinski made the longest field goal of his career, a 47-yarder, to help cut into an early Roadrunners lead.
Then with 2:37 remaining, he nailed the game-winner, a pressure-packed 25-yard kick to give the Spartans a 25-22 CSL Green win over visiting Nazareth at Kuhn Memorial Stadium.
Not a bad night’s work at all.
“I have a routine,” Kolinski said of the kick that put St. Francis in front for good. “I stayed with it, and trusted my abilities.”
The senior, who said that his previous best kick was a 46-yarder, added the victory “felt really good, especially after the start to the season we’ve had.”
The Spartans entered play with just one win in its first five contests, but had played a tough early schedule, so the triumph was especially satisfying.
Especially considering they trailed this game early on 14-0.
“It was a sigh of relief, actually,” said St. Francis junior defensive back Noah Turner of what he was thinking when the final horn sounded. “I felt like everything we worked for, everything we needed to do, paid off in this moment right here right now.”
The Spartans won despite a terrific game from two Nazareth wide receivers. Jackson Flickinger caught 10 passes for 182 yards, while Charlie Heck had two touchdown grabs.
The Roadrunners (2-4, 0-2) scored twice in the first quarter. Charles Calhoun had a 22-yard TD run, while QB JJ Chapman found Heck in the end zone from 13 yards out.
St. Francis (2-4, 1-1) cut the deficit to 14-9 at halftime on Kolinski’s 47-yarder and an 11-yard touchdown pass from Jadon Wilson to GQ Querrey.
Two third quarter touchdowns by the Spartans (a 15-yard run by Wilson and a 69-yard reception by Alex Taylor), and one from Nazareth (an 83-yard catch by Heck) saw the contest enter the final stages tied up at 22-22.
That set the stage for Kolinski’s winner, but Nazareth had one final chance in the waning moments.
That chance was ended by Turner, who intercepted a long Chapman pass attempt to seal the win.
“We were in cover three,” Turner said of the pick. “I saw JJ (Chapman) turn his head to look right at No. 7 (Flickinger). I baited him, and went up and got it.
“That’s what we do, we make plays.”
Turner added that teamwork was the key to the victory.
“This was a total team effort,” he explained. “Day in and day out, we work for moments like this.”