Wolverines notch second big-time win
Public League’s credibility receives another boost
Simeon danced off the field at Gately Stadium on Saturday as its fans chanted “We have a machine.”
The Blue Machine was celebrating a victory that established the Wolverines as a force to be reckoned with in the state and returned some respect to Public League football.
Quarterback Keshaun Parker provided the big moment, scampering six yards for a touchdown with 1:28 left to give the Wolverines a 34-31 victory against No. 5 Bolingbrook.
“I couldn’t find any of my receivers, so I knew I had to make something happen,” Parker said.
Senior Jaykwon Armour sealed the win about 40 seconds later, ending Bolingbrook’s drive with an interception at the goal line.
Simeon coach Dante Culbreath was quietly confident in his team in the preseason. He has been impressed by its work ethic the first two weeks of the season.
“Bolingbrook is a heck of a team, but we’ve been preparing,” Culbreath said. “We are just going to keep working. [The kids] don’t take any days off, and they give me their all.”
Wolverines running back Andre Crews had his breakout game last week, when he racked up nearly 300 yards in a victory against Wheaton-Warrenville South.
He was just as dominant against the Raiders with 28 carries for 237 yards and four touchdowns.
“He’s the best running back in the state in my eyes,” Parker said.
Cincinnati recruit Malik Elzy was another force for Simeon, putting up a Player of the Year performance for the second consecutive week. He had nine receptions for 136 yards and added a sack on defense.
“We just have to maintain our focus and stay humble,” Crews said.
The game featured six lead changes and two ties.
“[Simeon] played hard, give them credit,” Bolingbrook coach John Ivlow said. “I’m not going to take anything away from that team. When they beat Wheaton-Warrenville South, they raised some eyebrows. Simeon is pretty darn good. We knew going into it we needed to stop [Crews], and we didn’t.”
Bolingbrook (1-1) was unable to establish a running attack. Kelrod Leaks’ 41-yard burst in the first half accounted for almost all of the Raiders’ 52 rushing yards.
Bolingbrook freshman quarterback Jonas Williams was 15-for-22 for 203 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. He threw seven touchdown passes in Week 1 against Minooka.
“Last week, he was the talk of the town,” Ivlow said. “This week, we knew they were going to sit back in a zone or send the house on him. They sent the house at him, but he still did well.”
Senior Kyan Berry-Johnson had five catches for 98 yards and three touchdowns for Bolingbrook.
Simeon’s victory will change the perception of Public League football and set up major showdowns with Kenwood and Morgan Park.
Kenwood narrowly lost to Glenbard North and defeated Bradley-Bourbonnais. Morgan Park has knocked off Richards and Rich.
“There are some very competitive teams in the Public League this year,” Culbreath said. “Kenwood and Morgan Park can compete. Our league is getting better. This is a big bounce back from last year with COVID and all that.
“But we’ve still got some work to do.”