Simeon holds off Schaumburg
When a team scores 50 points, rolls up 514 yards of total offense and sees its star player score 5 touchdowns, it usually can chalk one up in the win column.
But not, apparently, when it is playing someone with the offensive firepower of Simeon.
The undefeated and top-seeded Wolverines from Chicago's Public League, led by 5 touchdown passes from junior quarterback Robert Gregory, outlasted Schaumburg 55-50 Saturday night at Gary Scholz Stadium.
Schaumburg running back Shepard Little, who called the loss “heartbreaking”, scored 3 rushing touchdowns and ran back two long kickoff returns but it wasn't enough as the Saxons fell in the Class 7A second-round playoff game.
Simeon (11-0) advanced to host a quarterfinal next weekend with No. 5 Lake Zurich (10-1), a 14-7 winner over Prospect.
“We knew against a team like Simeon, possibly the best team in the state, that we'd have to leave it all out on the field to have a chance,” said Schaumburg quarterback Mark Iannotti. “We did that, but we just fell short.”
Iannotti's final varsity game was a monster one. The senior rushed 25 times for 247 yards and completed 15 passes for 150 yards and a TD.
“When your seasons ends like this,” said Schaumburg coach Mark Stilling, “it's tough no matter how many points you score. We made some big stops in the first quarter and the fourth quarter, but in between we couldn't slow them down.”
The teams stood even at 36-36 after one half of play as Little scored on rushes of 1,2 and 3 yards. He also electrified the crowd and energized the Saxons with kickoff returns of 89 and 80 yards, bursting through a pack of tacklers in the middle of the field each time to outrace the defenders.
Touchdown passes from Gregory gave the Wolverines a late lead but the Saxons struck back in the fourth quarter behind a touchdown pass from Iannotti to tight end Sean Duminie and a 16-yard scoring run by the Saxons' quarterback.
Schaumburg still trailed late but the defense made a stand, stopping Simeon twice in their own territory, once behind a big sack by Kyle Hunter.
After a Simeon punt, the Saxons took possession on their own 11 with five minutes left and marched to the Simeon 15. With 26 seconds remaining it was fourth down and 4 yards to go, and the season was on the line.
“We went with a double-move (route),” said Iannotti of the last-gasp play. “We had seen on film that at times they're overagressive in coverage. But it didn't work out.”
Iannotti's final pass into the end zone went just over the outstretched arms of the receiver, and the Wolverines took over on downs and ran out the clock to preserve their perfect season.
“This was a very big game for us,” said Simeon cornerback Demarius Reed. “We were able to beat a great team tonight.”
Little finished with 107 yards on 20 carries, while Simeon's Gregory threw for 260 yards and also ran for a touchdown. Wolverines running back Horatio Banks rushed for 221 yards and a score.
“This wasn't the outcome we wanted,” said Iannotti, “but I'm proud of the way we came together. We became a family this year when you messed with one of us, you messed with all of us.”
Schaumburg lineman Joe Zolper was injured after a hit in the back in the fourth quarter. He lay motionless for several minutes but by the time the ambulance came to rush him to the hospital he had regained some movement in his arms and legs.
“We think he's going to be OK,” said Stilling of the senior. “We'll just have to wait and see.”