Midway through the third quarter Saturday afternoon, Simeon edge rusher McHale Blade helped blow up a Phllips run play.
The senior couldn’t contain his excitement, running around and shouting with excitement.
It’s the kind of spontaneous joy you’d expect when one of the best players in the state is finally back on the field playing the game he loves.
Blade helped power a defense that shut down Phillips in a 34-0 win at Gately Stadium that made Simeon (5-3, 5-1 Public Metro) playoff-eligible.
Senior receiver/safety Cornell Conley had a big day on both sides of the ball for the Wolverines, scoring on an 18-yard pass from Anthony Croom Jr., a 28-yard reverse and a 68-yard interception return.
Conley was glad to get Blade back for last week’s shutout win over Westinghouse after a lengthy injury layoff.
“He causes a lot of disruption on the field,” Conley said of Blade, a four-star prospect committed to Michigan.
And Blade appreciates being back and teaming with another elite edge rusher in Brian DeMoss, a three-star prospect with nine Big Ten offers.
“It’s amazing,” Blade said. “I missed it a lot. I’m just happy to be back with my brothers.”
Sitting out “was tough,” he added. “Very humbling. It taught me a lot about life and how to overcome adversity.”
Blade said he’s 100% healthy. “I’ve been putting in a lot of work this offseason,” he said. “So it’s time to go out and show.”
The Wolverines need that from him and their other Division I prospects — who include DeMoss, Conely and receiver Raymond Liggins — in Week 9 against Vincennes Avenue rival Morgan Park and after that in the Class 6A playoffs.
“His presence alone boosts the morale of the whole defense,” Simeon coach Sinque Turner said of Blade; “Those guys flying around with their hair on fire, man — it’s good to have him back. I’m happy.”
While Blade is committed and DeMoss has his pick of big-time offers, Conley is still trying to boost his recruiting stock. The film of his highlights from Saturday can only help that quest. The 5-8, 170-pounder has one Power Five offer from Iowa State.
“That’s one of the players that’s one of the best players in the state of Illinois right there,” Turner said. “He’d make any team, add value to any team in the state of Illinois.”
Cinley is certainly doing that on offense and defense for the Wolverines.
“He’s all over the field,” Blade said. “He’s just a pure athlete. He’s an amazing player.”
Conley had been known more as a receiver for Simeon. But he’s glad to be able to make a splash on the other side of the ball, too.
“I get to finally show it on the field because I’ve been playing defense since I was a kid,” Conley said. “Coach ‘Que’ got me on defense [to] show what I can do.”
Other Wolverines had a chance to show out as well. Croom was 8-of-15 passing for 98 yards and three touchdowns. Besides Conley, Lovell Smith and Liggins also had TD catches. Junior James Bell added eight carries for 73 yards.
“We’re definitely looking to make a really good [playoff] run this year,” Blade said. “We have a lot of talent on this squad and I’m really proud of these boys.”