Football: Simeon has little trouble with King

Updated: November 9, 2011 9:42PM

After losing to Lockport in the state playoffs, Simeon coach Dante Culbreath was worried that his team would be ripe for the picking against King in the quarterfinals in the city playoffs. The Wolverines quickly put to rest all doubts as they defeated King 43-8 Wednesday night at Gately Stadium.

Quarterback Robert Gregory got things going with a nine-yard run early in the second quarter. Junior running back DaRell Thomas, getting a rare start, scored back-to-back touchdowns on runs of five and one yard, as Simeon built a 19-0 lead at halftime.

Paris Ratcliff opened the third quarter with an 80-yard kick off return followed by a 28-yard field goal by John Gardner. DeVonte Rimmer helped King (9-3) avoid a shutout as he went 43 yards off tackle with 5:23 remaining in the third quarter.

The Wolverines (8-3) closed out the game on a 48-yard run by Ratcliff and Thomas scored his third touchdown from the 3-yard line.

“You always worry about a let down after losing a big game,” said Culbreath. “We weren’t as sharp as we should have been in the beginning, but starting in the second quarter we kinda got things together.”

“I just worked hard in practice and was ready to take advantage of my opportunity. I am glad the coaches had confidence in me and I was able to contribute,” said Thomas. Thomas had 17 rushes for 182 yards and three touchdowns.

King coach Lonnie Williams said his team was just out-manned.

“When you get whipped like that, you just have to tip your cap and give them all the credit. They beat us up real bad up front and just out played us. We had a great season, but we just got it handed to us by a better team today,” said Williams.

The semifinals will be played Monday at Gately Stadium with Harper vs. Dunbar at 3:30 p.m. and Simeon vs. Fenger at 7:00 p.m.

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