Malik Elzy dazzles, Andre Crews breaks out as Simeon beats Wheaton-Warrenville South

Malik Elzy is one of the most gifted high school football players in the country.

That’s an established fact, and the Cincinnati recruit lived up to his billing Saturday at Gately Stadium. Elzy wowed the crowd with a trio of breathtaking moments in Simeon’s 41-23 victory against Wheaton-Warrenville South.

The Wolverines have another game-breaker on offense. Running back Andre Crews was nearly unstoppable with 295 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries.

“We started off a little rocky, but at halftime we talked to each other in the locker room about our mistakes, and in the second half we made it happen,” Crews said.

Simeon (1-0) trailed 23-7 in the second quarter. Crews busted loose for a 33-yard run to make it 23-14, then Elzy caught a 49-yard pass from junior quarterback Keshaun Parker to pull the Wolverines to 23-20 at halftime.

Crews scored on a three-yard run in the third quarter to give Simeon its first lead, then provided a 34-23 cushion with an electric 69-yard scamper.

He has played all over the field for Simeon the last four seasons, logging time at quarterback and receiver as well as on defense.

“Sticking to running back and a little bit of corner has helped me keep my energy and stamina so I can get out and make those breakout runs like I did today,” Crews said.

Elzy had three receptions for 124 yards. Parker was 8-for-12 for 167 yards with two touchdown passes and one interception.

“[Elzy] is our team,’’ Simeon coach Dante Culbreath said. “He punts, plays defense and offense. He might be the best player I’ve seen at Simeon.”

Kirsten Stickney/For the Sun-Times

Wheaton-Warrenville South (0-1) was unable to establish much of a running game, finishing with 27 carries for just more than 50 yards.

Led by junior Cameron Caldwell, who had three sacks, Simeon’s defensive line turned in a standout performance.

Tigers quarterback Luca Carbonaro was effective. The sophomore was 12-for-14 for 122 yards and two touchdowns.

In the first game of the day at Gately, Kenwood led early but lost to No. 17 Glenbard North 21-18.

“We just can’t shoot our own toes off,” Kenwood coach Sinque Turner said. “We made some boneheaded mistakes. And it was our decorated players that made the mistakes. That’s unexpected.”

Kenwood (0-1) led 18-7 at halftime but lost starting quarterback Nacari McFarland to an injury in the third quarter. That essentially ended the Broncos’ passing attack.

It was an impressive opening week of the season for Public League football. The top teams in the conference have turned the corner after the COVID setbacks.

Morgan Park beat Richards on Friday, and Kenwood and Simeon showed Saturday that they can hang with and beat top suburban programs.

“It shows that when we have adequate time to prepare for our season, unlike last year with COVID and things, we can compete,” Culbreath said. “This is a competitive club and a competitive league.’’

Simeon has another major measuring stick next week against Bolingbrook.

The No. 5 Raiders, who beat Minooka 49-12 on Friday, will be at Gately at 3 p.m. on Saturday.