Gregory’s energy lifts Simeon

Updated: September 16, 2011 10:22PM

Now that Robert Gregory is getting better physically you can see the uplift that it is giving Simeon mentally. Young found out first hand while suffering a 40-3 loss Friday night at Gately Stadium in both teams Redbird Conference opener.

Gregory led the Wolverines (2-2, 1-0) on three first-half drives as they built a 21-3 led at the end of the first two quarters. Sharoid Roach scored his first of three touchdowns in the first half on a 13-yard run. Next, he went off-right tackle for 80 yards and out raced the Dolphin defense to the end zone and then followed that up with a 9-yard run.

Young got on the board via a 34-yard field goal by Adam Durudogan midway in the first quarter. The Wolverines did not let up in the third quarter, as Gregory connected with Cynettie Brown on a 26-yard scoring strike as they built the led to 27-3 and then finished his evening with a 40-yard touchdown pass to Brown. Elcee Burk showed that he is worthy replacement for Gregory as he took over late in the fourth quarter and threw a 34-yard touchdown pass to Brown. Simeon coach Dante Culbreath said it is apparent that Gregory is rounding back into form.

“You can see he is starting to do some of the things that we have grown accustom to seeing him do,” said Culbreath. “You can see he is a lot more aggressive. We are taking it game by game and we are continuing to improve. We started out slow and Young came ready to play. It took us a while to get on track.”

Gregory was 3 of 6 for 116 yards and two touchdowns. Roach gained 180 yards on 16 carries.

Young coach Tim Franken said he was disappointed with his team’s overall play.

“We were able to move the ball on them at times, but we made too many mistakes,” said Franken. “Our execution was not as sharp as it should have been. You can not play a team with the caliber as Simeon and make those types of mistakes.” Young is 2-2, 0-1.

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