Aug. 15--Successful programs surround Sean Williams.
Morgan Park's middle linebacker witnessed Phillips and Simeon, two local rivals, gain attention for their playoff runs last season.
The senior also receives daily reminders of Morgan Park's athletic success, in particular from the highly renowned basketball and track teams.
"We hear stuff about all the time about Simeon and Phillips," Williams said. "I think it's great for city football. We appreciate everything they are doing for CPS football. It's cool. We also hear stuff at our school.
"Sometimes it's tough going to school. Our basketball team has been a champion and the baseball and track teams are doing great. Now is the time for the football team to do what we have to do. It's definitely hard going to school because those guys can talk and show us their rings and titles. I just saw a basketball ring. I liked it."
Second-year coach Terry Atkins is not shying away from his desire to restore pride to the football program.
He was a star running back at Morgan Park from 1997-2001 and played at Hampton University before returning to coach at his alma mater. Atkins' goals, though, are more centralized.
"I'm very familiar with the history of our school, and we have kind of led the charge on campus about being the 'top dawg' and are pretty aggressively chasing that crown," Atkins said. "If we can accomplish the goal of being the top team in this school, success will follow everywhere.
"We're super excited about starting the season and we feel we're going to put out one of the best products Morgan Park has had in a long time. We're working hard. We're in no position to be confident or cocky but we've been working hard."
Finding talented athletes, Atkins said, is not an issue for the Mustangs this season. Morgan Park has capable replacements to fill holes left by quarterback William James and 2,000-yard rusher Darius Burse.
Do-it-all Antonio Alsup, who plays tight end, wide receiver, defensive end, kicker and punter, is slated to be the starting quarterback in Morgan Park's spread offense. Leo transfer Jaquan Shorter, a junior, is also vying for snaps at quarterback.
"We're are really pleased at the quarterback position," Atkins said. "Alsup has a lot of interest from big-name programs. I like his leadership ability and the guys believe in him."
Junior running back Jarred Edwards has already passed one important test -- earning the approval of Atkins.
"Me being a former running back, Jarred has been impressive," Atkins said. "We have great depth at running back."
Atkins also raves about his numerous "big and tall" tight ends, most notably Jawon Denton, along with wide receivers Chester Shipp and Greg Howell as big-play threats.
Defense is where Mustangs have shown the biggest improvement. Seven starters return from a unit that allowed 14 points or less in seven of their last nine games last season.
The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Williams headlines the Mustangs' 4-4 defense. A number of transfers, including highly touted senior linebacker Vershawn Brock, join Williams and emerging junior safety Michael Hawthorne.
"We have a pretty solid number of returning starters and solid amount of returning players," Atkins said. "Our defense is strength of the team. We're definitely loaded."
Williams, like Atkins, said Morgan Park is ready to take the next step, joining the likes of Simeon and Phillips as one of the best teams in the city.
"We feel we're too good to not be in those positions because we always have the talent, and now we have the coaching in Terry Atkins," Williams said. "He's bringing back the tradition. We have a lot of respect for Simeon and Phillips.
"We have great talent as always, but Terry is bringing the tradition back and I can definitely see it. We're more of a team now and everybody is working much harder and has the same goal and we're all on the same page. Practice intensity is higher this year. I feel this should be a huge year for us."
Narang is a freelance reporter.
Morgan Park
2014: 7-5 (5-0, first place Chicago Public-Illini Prairie State).
Playoffs: 6A first round (L 28-0 to Lincoln-Way West).
Coach: Terry Atkins (7-5, 2nd year).
Key player: Sean Williams, Sr., MLB.
