Roach, Simeon knock off Harper

Sharoid Roach had 31 carries for 221 yards and a touchdown in leading Simeon to a 20-6 Public League Semifinal win over Harper on Thursday at Gately Stadium.

Wolverine quarterback Elcee Burke added two rushing touchdowns in the first half to help Simeon to a 20-0 halftime lead.

For the second year in a row, Harper’s season was ended by the Wolverines, who will play Morgan Park in the Public League championship next weekend.

Simeon (9-2) will attempt for a second consecutive appearance in the Prep Bowl final. The Cardinals end the season at 8-3.

“We knew from last year [Harper] are tough team and they were never going to quit,” Burke said.

After a scoreless third quarter, Sandillo Wright broke free for a 52-yard touchdown run to pull the Cardinals within 20-6 with 7:02 left in the fourth quarter.

Harper was in the red zone with a chance to pull within one possession, but an incomplete pass with two minutes left secured the win for the Wolverines.

“That’a a tough team over there,” Simeon coach Dante Culbreath said. “[Harper] played their hearts out, my hat goes off to their coaching staff.”