Hank and Henry Sakalas have piles of memories from the countless hours they’ve spent playing football together. The Nazareth twins are full of appreciation for those special moments. But they are brothers, and even the closest siblings will get on each other’s nerves.
“In meetings [Henry] is always talking, always trying to coach everyone up,” Hank Sakalas said. “He’s always talking and sometimes it is frustrating. But I love playing with him. I wouldn’t change it for the world.”
College football careers are long, unpredictable and often contain many stops. So no one knows what the future holds. But for now, the twins assume this is the last season they will play football together.
“We grew up playing together, and it is tough now knowing that is coming to an end,” Henry Sakalas said. “So this season is bittersweet. But we have all these memories and it has been truly special.”
Henry is a 6-3, 195-pound safety committed to Michigan State. Hank is 6-2, 220 pounds and is heading to D2 Southwest Minnesota State. He played all over the field last season, putting in time at linebacker, tight end and wide receiver.
“The dinner table at home is all Nazareth football right now,” Hank Sakalas said. “It is really exciting to get this last ride with my brother.”
A mountain of college-bound football talent surrounds the Sakalas twins, and the No. 5 Roadrunners have the perfect coach in place to take advantage. Tim Racki has won 10 state titles in his career and produced three NFL players (Julian Love, JJ McCarthy, Tanner Koziol).
“The [Sakalas family] is amazing,” Racki said. “They are great kids and great leaders. They are smart in the classroom, everyone loves them in the school, and they bring it on the field, too.”
Linebacker Dylan Wellner (Central Missouri), defensive ends Chris Kasky (Missouri) and Will McGarry and defensive back Cash Coleman (NIU) lead one of the state’s best defenses.
“We have around eight returning starters, and it is scary,” Kasky said. “You saw what we did last year. Statistically, we had one of the best defensive lines in the state and none of us have slowed down. If anything, we have just gotten better.”
Nazareth, which won four consecutive state titles from 2021-24, lost in the 6A semifinals last year to Fenwick, the eventual champs. The Roadrunners failed on a two-point conversion to end the game.
“We have a bad taste in our mouth from that loss,” Kasky said. “We aren’t taking it lightly. We are definitely still pissed off about that. The rest of the state is going to see.”
Nazareth’s offense has more unknowns than the defense, but linemen Luke Injaychock (Missouri) and Christian Malachuk provide a solid foundation along with running back Charles Calhoun (North Dakota).
JJ Chapman, a junior with nine offers from Power Four schools, transferred from Wisconsin and is the starting quarterback.
“He’s a very smart kid and he already picked up our playbook,” Racki said. “I’m very pleased with his IQ and his leadership. He has those intangibles, and that’s a blessing.”
Class 8A powerhouse Mount Carmel is the only team in the area with more college-bound talent than Nazareth. The Roadrunners open the season as the overwhelming favorite to advance to the 6A state title game against East St. Louis, possibly the state’s most talented team.
“Our biggest enemy is going to be ourselves,” Racki said. “We worked a lot this summer on leadership, in terms of being selfless and getting what the whole concept of Nazareth team football is. It is not about what you can get; it is about what you can give. And they do listen. They are great kids.”
@michaelsobriensports What is the most annoying thing about your twin brother? Hank and Henry Sakalas prepare for the football season at Nazareth. #ihsa #football #msu #nazareth ♬ original sound – michaelsobriensports