April 19, 2024
Illinois High School Football News
News

Dual-sport brothers Darnell, Daine Hanson making presence felt for Nazareth

McCarthy throws for four TDs, Breven Reifsteck has pick-six in 47-6 rout of Libertyville

By BOB NARANG

Nazareth (10-0) will play Thornton in a second-round playoff game on Nov. 9. Darnell Hanson received a showering of attention from his teammates during a post-game huddle to celebrate his 18th birthday on Sunday. Darnell Hanson, a senior, acknowledged he’s cherishing playing with his younger brother on the varsity for the first time. Both are avid basketball players and spend plenty of time together on the court, in AAU and for the Roadrunners. At 6-foot-7 and 225 pounds, Daine Hanson, a junior, is almost two inches taller than his older brother. “It was strange at first in football, but now we’re getting used to it and we get each other hyped,” Darnell said. “It means a lot, teaching him everything I know before I go off to college. It’s great seeing him grow, become an even better football player than I ever was at Nazareth when I was younger.” (Bill Ackerman)

Nazareth (10-0) will play Thornton in a second-round playoff game on Nov. 9. Darnell Hanson received a showering of attention from his teammates during a post-game huddle to celebrate his 18th birthday on Sunday. Darnell Hanson, a senior, acknowledged he’s cherishing playing with his younger brother on the varsity for the first time. Both are avid basketball players and spend plenty of time together on the court, in AAU and for the Roadrunners. At 6-foot-7 and 225 pounds, Daine Hanson, a junior, is almost two inches taller than his older brother. “It was strange at first in football, but now we’re getting used to it and we get each other hyped,” Darnell said. “It means a lot, teaching him everything I know before I go off to college. It’s great seeing him grow, become an even better football player than I ever was at Nazareth when I was younger.” (Bill Ackerman)

Daine Hanson is becoming a quick study in his first full season on the varsity. He had a second-quarter sack to stop a potential Libertyville scoring drive, and is starting to get noticed by numerous colleges. “Darnell has really helped me a lot, especially with my physicality and with basketball,” Daine said. “He always tries to make him stronger.” (Bill Ackerman)

Nazareth coach Tim Racki said he’s been encouraged by the strong play from the Hanson brothers. “The Hanson brothers are incredible,” Racki said. “I love dual-sport kids. They love basketball. They don’t have to be here all the time for football because I want them to excel for basketball. It usually takes them a few weeks to get football ready since they are in AAU basketball in the summer.  “This year, they shook off the rust pretty quick. Daine is getting a lot of colleges coming by with his size and athleticism.” (Bill Ackerman)

Nazareth quarterback J.J. McCarthy, the Chicago Catholic/East Suburban Catholic Orange Most Valuable Player, had his usual outstanding performance with 18 of 22 completions for 251 yards and four touchdowns. Derrick Strongs Jr. finished with six carries for 139 yards and Landon Morris caught five passes for 91 yards and two TDs. But the Roadrunners’ defense also had a dominating effort with three interceptions and three sacks. Breven Reifsteck’s 76-yard interception return for a touchdown highlighted Nazareth’s defensive effort. “Of course, we have a strong offense, but our defense is just starting to just click now,” Darnell Hanson said. “At the beginning of the year, we weren’t or connecting as a team. Down the road, we started clicking and loved being together. We play as hard as we can. That’s showed at the end of the regular season and playoffs.” (Bill Ackerman)