After two weeks full of drama and politics and very little practice, Simeon returned to the football field on Saturday at Gately Stadium. To everyone but their coach, the Wolverines looked the same as they have all season.
“We were very rusty,” Simeon coach Dante Culbreath said. “We missed a whole lot of stuff. I told the kids we wouldn’t make any excuses, win or lose. We are honored to be in the playoffs though after the last few weeks.”
Simeon’s defense was stout. Running back Chau Smith and quarterback Jacquez Woodland took turns ripping off big offensive plays to lead the Wolverines to a 34-3 win against Lakes in the first round of the Class 6A state playoffs.
“[Smith] is just a whole different breed,” Woodland said. “In practice he does the same thing.”
Smith had 11 carries for 107 yards with touchdown runs of 55 and 13 yards. He caught two passes for 40 yards.
“Chau Smith is probably the best athlete in the state of Illinois,” Culbreath said.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot attended the game. Simeon players tried to meet with her last week at City Hall during the strike, but it didn’t happen.
“She shouted us out during her speech the other day,” Woodland said. “For her to come out, it was a very good thing for us.”
“We appreciate it,” Simeon senior Ronald Haggins said. “I’m glad she came to see us. We love her for that.”
Haggins had a sack and a fumble recovery. Woodland was 5-for-15 passing for 127 yards and two touchdowns. He threw one interception and had 11 carries for 80 yards, including a 58-yard touchdown run.
“I just saw the safeties come down to the edge so I took the inside and I was gone after that,” Woodland said.
Chau Smith busts loose for a 55-yard TD run. Pretty good video aside from the couple seconds when I’m getting out of the way.
— Michael O'Brien (@michaelsobrien) November 2, 2019
Wolverines lead Lakes 6-3, 2Q. pic.twitter.com/oTLXhdQ3iE
Lakes (6-4) was limited to eight yards passing and 58 yards rushing.
“We saw some things on film where they had success against teams,” Culbreath said. “And then we saw where they didn’t have success at all.”
Lakes led 3-0 after a field goal in the second quarter but it was all Simeon (7-1) after that. The Wolverines will travel to Prairie Ridge in the second round.
“Prairie Ridge, everyone knows who they are and what they do,” Culbreath said. “They’ve had so many years of success. We have to go there and play probably one of the best teams in the state in 6A. It’s a big game for us.”
