No football player in the area had more of an impact in all three phases of the game than Julian Love, a senior who led Class 5A Nazareth to a 12-2 season and its second consecutive state championship. He was a three-way player on last season’s Class 6A title team.
A Notre Dame recruit and Class 5A all-state selection by the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association, the 6-foot, 185-pound Love ran the ball, caught the ball, returned kicks and started in the secondary for Nazareth. He totaled 1,729 offensive yards, averaging 14.1 yards per touch, and scored 25 touchdowns. Love’s longest run was 99 yards, and his longest reception was 83 yards for an offense that scored 40.8 points per game.
That versatility is part of what makes Love the Pioneer Press All-Area Football Offensive Player of the Year. He spoke with Pioneer Press sports writer Matt Harness about his championship season.
Q: How have you spent the week after winning your second state title?
A: I have been working as an assistant to the (Nazareth) athletic director (Duane Buturusis). I started the Monday after we won. I have been helping out with basketball games. I take care of the officials, making sure they have everything they need, take care of opposing teams, making sure everything goes well for them. It’s been a learning experience for me to see how everything works, how everything is organized.
More Top Picks Amazon Echo Studio
Q: What was your favorite non-game moment this season?
A: The night before the state title game, coach (Tim) Racki gave us an opportunity to talk, say whatever was on our minds. I talked about taking care of the underclassmen, making sure they know we want them to succeed in the future. Then, some of the underclassmen talked and thanked me for helping them out. I didn’t think much of it at the time because I was just doing what I thought was right. But hearing them say those things was special to me. They thanked me for being kind, generous and a role model.
Q: Nazareth went 14-0 and won the Class 6A state title last season. Was it harder to win the second one?
A: It was more challenging than last year. Teams targeted us. Every game we played it felt like it was their state championship game. I got double- and triple-teamed a lot. There was no element of surprise for us, no David versus Goliath. We were Goliath. But losing two games helped us. It helped our team develop an identity. I was grateful for them. If I had to do it over again, I wouldn’t change a single thing. Those losses are what gave us our momentum.
Q: You were the Pioneer Press Offensive Player of the Year as a junior. At this time last year, you had offers from Illinois and Illinois State. How did you end up committing to Notre Dame?
A: I was always hoping to go to Notre Dame. I’ve been a fan and gone to games since I was young. One of my best friends is (Providence graduate and Notre Dame freshman Miles Boykin), and he kept dropping my name to the coaches there. Notre Dame then came into the picture in March. I visited them that month, got an offer and committed March 21. I wished for this and worked hard for this, but I didn’t think it was possible.
Twitter: @harnesspreps