Friday's Prep Bowl roundup

With the offense largely stuck in reverse, Simeon rode the rescue of its ball-hawking defense.

Junior outside linebacker Demarius Reed returned a second quarter fumble 64 yards for a touchdown and junior defensive back Demetrius Simpson added an insurance score with a 53-yard interception return in the Wolverines’ 12-0 victory over Curie in a second-round Public League playoff game at Lane Friday night.

“If I get the opportunity, I’m going to run with it,” said Reed, whose fumble return score was his fifth touchdown of the season. Reed’s touchdown put the Wolverines up 6-0, a score that held until late in the fourth quarter.

“I saw the ball on the ground and I just picked it up,” he said. It was Reed’s second fumble recovery of the game. “We knew we had to help pick up the offense and make a play out there.”

A vicious and swirling crosswind played havoc with both teams’ offenses and made it difficult to sustain an offensive drive.

The teams combined for six turnovers in the first half, including two on one play when a Simeon defensive back fumbled the ball after making an interception.

Sophomore defensive end Shaquille Joyner registered four sacks for the Wolverines (8-3).

Down 6-0 late in the third quarter, Curie reached the Simeon 29-yard line. The Wolverines forced two incomplete passes and Ian Branch recorded a third-down sack that ended Curie’s deepest offensive penetration of the second half.

Simpson’s interception return sealed the Condors’ fate.

“Our coaches prepared us well, and we knew they were going to throw the deep out on that play,” Simpson said. “I saw the ball and made a play on it, and once I had it, I saw nothing but open space.”

The Wolverines also beat Curie 20-13 during Illini Red Bird conference play.

All-city wideout Sam Altman caught eight passes for 84 yards for the Condors (6-5). Tevin Buchanan added two fumble recoveries.

Patrick Z. McGavin

King 20, Orr 8: Devon Robinson and King ground out Orr 20-8 Friday in the Public League playoffs at Hanson Stadium.

Running behind Antonio Poindexter, Jamal Keaton Michael Grant, Marcus Winston and D'mari Johnson, Robinson rushed for 137 yards on 14 carries and had a 40-yard touchdown run.

"I had some big holes to run through," Robinson said. "Our line did a great job."

The Jaguars (8-3) gained 271 yards on the ground and also got a. 44-yard touchdown run by Vincent Bobbit. Jeremy Williams threw a conversion pass to Willie Allen and Bobbit also had a conversion run.

King added a pair of safeties, one coming when Khari Logan blocked a punt.

Orr (6-5) scored on an 8-yard run by Carl Young and a conversion run by Jamal McDowell.

"It was great to get a playoff win," King coach Lonnie Williams said. "We were able to control the ball and the clock tonight."

Dick Quagliano

Brother Rice 36, St. Laurence 0: Brother Rice took advantage of good field possession to defeat St. Lawrence (6-5) 36-0 in the opening round of the Catholic League Playoffs.

The host Crusaders (5-5) scored on their first three possessions beginning drives on the the St. Laurence 25, 22 and 24 yard lines to build a 15-0 lead after one quarter.

Paul Neilan kicked a 30-yard field goal. Andrew Walker scored on an eight-yard run. Martez Walker added a one-yard touchdown run.

Quarterback Mike Rohan ran 73 yards to give the crusaders a commandong 22-0 lead early in the second quarter.

‘‘Obviously we are disappointed missing the state playoffs,’’ Rohan said. ‘‘But we are coming together as a team. We started our season with a loss at Soldier Field and we’d like to finish with a win there.’’

Martez Walker had a 70-yard punt return and Chuck Busking scored on a five-yard run to complete the scoring.

Pat McGrath

Robeson 14, Harlan 6: Michael Solomon had a one-yard touchdown run, and Cameron Franklin caught an eight-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Juwane Pipkins for the Raiders (8-3) at Gately.

Tayshaun Johnson’s six-yard run with 7:25 left in the third quarter cut the deficit to 14-6 for Harlan (6-5).

The Falcons had a chance to tie, but Pipkins made his second interception of the game — this one in the end zone — with 13 seconds left to preserve Robeson’s win.

Clyde Travis