Images of Woodlawn’s DJ Morgan will haunt Bowen’s football players for at least the next few days.
The Boilermakers were powerless to stop Morgan on Thursday. The junior running back scored four touchdowns and ran for 261 yards in Woodlawn’s 54-6 win against visiting Bowen.
Morgan’s first carry went 34 yards for a TD. His second carry was a 50-yard TD, and his third went for a 64-yard score. Then he added an 83-yard TD run in the third quarter, which started the running clock.
“He’s been a premier player since he was a freshman,” Warriors coach Jacob Engleton said. “He has so much heart. Even on defense, he is one of our hardest hitters. He is one of our most willing guys on special teams. He is the personality of this team. DJ means a lot to us.”
Morgan did all of his damage on just eight carries. He also caught a 28-yard pass from Michael Hickman.
“I’m smaller, so everyone looks down on me, so I just work,” Morgan said. “I try to get to the end zone every time I get the ball.”
Hickman threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Brian Jackson late in the first half, and Jackson also contributed a 32-yard TD run.
Senior lineman Yamari Crowder dominated on defense for the Warriors. Bowen (2-3, 0-2) managed just 39 rushing yards and eight passing yards.”
“I didn’t feel like getting blocked today, so I didn’t get blocked,” Crowder said.
Woodlawn junior Darryl Morgan has two carries and 2 TDs. The first was 35 yards and this one was 50.
The Warriors lead Bowen 16-0. pic.twitter.com/l0X5moOITQ
— Michael O’Brien (@michaelsobrien) September 17, 2026
Woodlawn (4-1, 2-0 White South) went undefeated last season in the Blue Division. The Warriors’ only loss in the past two seasons was to Brother Rice in Week 2.
“Everyone in the Public League knows there is a whole other animal out there when you get to the Catholic League and to the state playoffs,” Engleton said. “We just wanted our guys to see it. The band, the massive numbers, the size difference. So if we are blessed enough to get into the playoffs, it is familiar to us.”
Engleton said the 69-0 loss to Brother Rice helped his team refocus.
“We gave it our all, but we saw the level we need to reach,” Woodlawn senior Dale Ellis said. “Those are the big dogs.”
Woodlawn could qualify for the state playoffs this season. The Warriors have to finish first in the White South and then beat a Red Division team in a special playoff game.
“That has been the goal since the start,” Engleton said. “We have a lot of talent over here. It is a committee. All of our guys are prepared. We make sure everyone gets equal reps, and it just shows on the field.”
@michaelsobriensports Woodlawn stars Yamari Crowder, Dale Allen and DJ Morgan speak after beating Bowen. #ihsa #football #chicago #woodlawn ♬ original sound – michaelsobriensports