Indians out of the 6A playoffs -Nazareth Academy 42, Hononegah 13

LA GRANGE, IL - A gray, mostly cloudy Saturday afternoon set the scene on the campus of Nazareth Academy as Hononegah traveled for the opening round battle with the 3-time defending IHSA State Champion. For a Level 1 IHSA 6A playoff game. Nazareth Academy jumped on Hononegah early and controlled the clock, while Hononegah battled back in the third quarter but could not overcome an early deficit.

• Nazareth struck quickly, building a 14‑0 first‑quarter lead on two rushing touchdowns and then poured it on in the second with two more scores — a run and a 58‑yard strike — to take a 42‑0 lead before halftime.
• Hononegah’s offense found life in the third quarter. Tyler Banker broke through for a 25‑yard rushing touchdown (extra point blocked), and late in the quarter, Mykell Mueller returned a punt 38 yards for a touchdown after a Hank Sakalas punt, closing the gap to 42‑13.
• Nazareth Academy
  • Jackson Failla (QB): 8‑11, 196 yards, 2 TDs; connected on the 58‑yard TD to Jake Cestone and a 42‑yard TD to Edward McClain Jr.
  • Edward McClain Jr: 3 catches, 87 yards, 1 TD; long of 42.
  • Justin Watson (RB): 10 carries, 81 yards, 1 TD; long of 23.
  • Team totals: 388 total yards (146 rushing, 242 passing); possession 31:43; 15 first downs.
• Hononegah Indians
• Tyler Banker (RB): 9 carries, 58 rushing yards, 1 TD; also caught a pass for 14 yards.
• Drew Shockley (captain, QB): 2‑15‑3, 48 yards rushing net showed grit under pressure; also captain alongside Max Benson, Dylan Shimp, and Logan Wilson.
• Mykell Mueller: pivotal special‑teams play — 38‑yard punt return TD that energized Hononegah in the third.
• Team totals: 132 total yards (67 rushing, 65 passing); four interceptions recorded by Hononegah defense.

Head Coach Brian Zimmerman addressed the team after the game, reminding players that the program is a family and that they’ll always have each other to lean on. He thanked every player, coach, trainer, as well as everyone involved in the Hononegah program for their commitment. Coach Zimmerman previously announced that next year (2026) will be his final season as Head Coach of his alma mater — he is retiring from coaching and teaching to spend more Falls with his wife and to watch his grandkids play. His message was one of gratitude and unity, and players left the field with that reminder of what the program means beyond any single season or game.

The 2025 Hononegah Indians scratched, clawed, worked, fell down, got back up, and punched back as they finished the 2025 season at 5-5 with another winning record in the NIC-10 conference.

Thank you to Coach Brian Zimmerman, his staff, and the entire Hononegah football community.