Matt Fleming has done most of his damage for Simeon at receiver and defensive back this season.
For the last two weeks, the senior has saved his biggest highlight for botched punt snaps.
Fleming’s 25-yard completion after a bad punt snap early in the fourth quarter Saturday extended a drive that ended with a touchdown during Simeon’s 34-20 victory against defending Class 8A champion Naperville Central in a quarterfinal in Naperville.
The Wolverines (11-1) advanced to the semifinal round for the first time in school history. They will play either Bolingbrook or Homewood-Flossmoor next weekend.
“It’s a good feeling to be in the semifinals for the first time because normally we’re getting ready for the Prep Bowl,” Simeon coach Dante Culbreath said. “It’s also great to beat the defending champs.”
Last weekend, Fleming had a 65-yard touchdown run after a high punt snap in Simeon’s 55-17 win against Hinsdale Central. This time Fleming darted to his left and heaved a pass to Trayonne Ware to Naperville Central’s 25-yard line. Four plays later, quarterback Timon Watkins scored on a 1-yard run to pad Simeon’s lead to 27-13.
“I had to get it out of there and downfield, so I just bombed it and we had the connection,” Fleming said.
The Redhawks (9-3) had three costly turnovers that spoiled any chance to build momentum. A first-quarter fumble on a punt led to 7-yard touchdown run by Dion Earls Jr. Naperville Central running back Kevin Clifford lost a late second-quarter fumble on Simeon’s 1-yard line.
“They converted turnovers into points and they had some busted plays that they turned into big plays,” Naperville Central coach Mike Stine said. “We made too many mistakes against a good football team.”
Watkins’ 30-yard pass to Jordan Reid on third-and-24 at Naperville Central’s 39 led to a 7-yard touchdown run by Watkins that started a 28-0 run by the Wolverines.
“We knew they had a lot of athletes and they played a great football game,” said Naperville Central linebacker Bobby McMillen, an Iowa State recruit.
Player of the game: Timon Watkins, Simeon, 13-for-19, 117 yards; 17 carries, 58 yards, 2 TDs.
Key performers: Simeon — Dion Earls Jr., 18 carries, 71 yards, 2 TDs; Jordan Reid, 5 catches, 68 yards. Naperville Central — Kevin Clifford, 18 carries, 41 yards; 51-yard TD catch; Conor Joyce, 15-for-21, 202 yards, 3 TDs.
