Nov. 28--DEKALB, Ill. -- Julian Love can tell you the last time he wasn't in the neighborhood of the football while playing defense.
"Two years ago, my sophomore year, it was our first practice," the Nazareth senior said on Saturday. "I was on varsity, we were on defense. I was on the opposite side of the field, I just walked to the ball."
What happened next?
"I ran a lot because of this guy," Love said, gesturing toward Roadrunners coach Tim Racki. "I made sure never to do that again over the past couple years."
That lesson learned, Love has gone on to be one of the state's top recruits -- he is committed to Notre Dame -- and one of its most versatile players.
He's been a playmaker on offense, defense and special teams at various times this season. In Saturday's Class 6A state championship game against Lincoln-Way West, Love was content to play a supporting role as the Roadrunners cruised to a 42-21 win.
"That's the thing," Racki said. "These guys are so selfless. Julian's the first one to high-five Ivory (Kelly-Martin), and Ivory vice versa. All these guys, (including) Carson (Bartels), they all cheer for each other's success."
Saturday's offensive heroes were Ivory-Martin, whose 177 rushing yards and four touchdowns included the longest TD run in state finals history (96 yards), and Bartels, who was 16-for-22 passing for 249 yards and two scores.
Love finished Saturday with 60 yards on 12 touches (nine carries, three receptions), four solo tackles and his first interception of the season.
He is given a rare degree of freedom by Racki and the defensive coaches to freelance on that side of the ball.
"We basically have a play called, 'Golden Domer,' where ... he gets to do whatever he wants," Racki said. "He's got such a high football IQ aside from his talent. He does know the game inside and out. ...
"He can play linebacker, safety, corner. He can play any position out there."
The 6-foot, 185-pounder, who figures to line up at cornerback for Notre Dame, appreciates the latitude he's been afforded by his Nazareth coaches.
"Obviously, it's a lot of fun," he said. "I'm accountable to the team and so I put a lot of preparation into it, watch a lot of film. catch a lot of tendencies (for the) line, the running backs.
"That's basically all you need to be successful."
And he should know.
mclark@tribpub.com
