Robert Gregory didn’t play last week and didn’t start Saturday night.
The Arkansas-bound quarterback did injure his collarbone at some point, but that was all the information coming from the Simeon camp.
Then Gregory subbed in on the Wolverines’ first series and reached the end zone on each of his first three carries, and though one was called back, Simeon suddenly looked healthy again.
Gregory’s two touchdown runs ignited a 41-point first half as the Wolverines throttled Morgan Park 47-7 at Gately Stadium. Entering the game, both Public League powers were winless following two difficult nonconference games.
“It was a game-time decision between me and coach (Dante Culbreath),” Gregory said. “It is always health-first with him, but I felt great.
“Our goal is still to win a state championship, and we had to start somewhere. I thought my teammates let the program down a little last week not doing a better job supporting (backup quarterback) Elcee Burke. He works hard and knows how to run the offense just as well as I do. He had all the touchdown passes tonight.”
Burke took a majority of snaps and threw for three scores, but only after Gregory gave the Wolverines (1-2) the lift they needed against the Mustangs (0-3).
His first official carry was an 8-yard touchdown run. Then he turned the corner on a 55-yarder that made it 14-0 after one quarter.
Simeon scored on a blocked punt soon after, and the rout was on.
Player of the game:
Robert Gregory, Simeon, 2 carries, 63 yards, 2 TDs; 1-for-2, 29 yards.
Key performers:
Simeon — Elcee Burke, 4-for-6, 62 yards, 3 TDs; Sharoid Roach, 11 carries, 104 yards, TD. Morgan Park — Desmond Earles, 11 carries, 55 yards.
