Congrats to our Head Coach Keyon Smothers @CoachKeys04 for being nominated for IBCA District 3 Co-Coach Of the Year! Coach Keys led the Panthers to a 18-9 record and a 2A Regional championship. Great job on a successful season, Panthers future is very bright under your leadership
#TheBigsPrepGameOfTheWeek
Morgan Park 24 Kenwood 14 FINAL
#13 S Darrell Mattison - INT
#1 QB Ronald Smith Jr - 178 yds passing/3 TD
#16 RB Amir Smothers - 11 yd TD catch
#5 WR Travezz Jones - 27 yd TD catch
Morgan Park is bringing the hardware back to the 100s after a comeback win over Kenwood to secure its second consecutive CPS title.
The Mustangs struck first, opening the game with a long drive capped by an 11 yd TD grab from Amir Smothers. MP converted the two-point attempt to take an 8-0 lead.
Kenwood answered ASAP. QB Malachi Henigan connected with Lawrence Carr on a 78 yd bomb to get the Broncos on the board. Hennigan found the end zone himself late in the second quarter on a 4 yd run and Kenwood converted its two point attempt for a 14-8 halftime lead.
But MP found the spark it needed in the second half. A key interception by Mustangs safety and Ole Miss commit Darrell Mattison, plus a crucial fumble by Carr swung the momentum. A 27 yd strike from QB Ronald Smith Jr. to Travezz Jones with another successful two point conversion put MP back in front 16-14.
The Mustangs took control in the fourth quarter, putting together a nearly 10 minute drive that ended with a 7 yd TD reception by Jaxson Bland. The score was the nail in the coffin and cemented Morgan Park's place atop the city for a second straight season.
"It feels great. Back-to-back freshman and sophomore year. I'm going for my junior and senior year too. We're gonna keep winning. We're not gonna stop." - Amir Smothers
"A lot of emotions right now. It feels amazing. We did what we said we were gonna do. We lived up to it. We're the best in the city, once again." - Ronald Smith Jr.
Both teams now await their state playoff seeding. Morgan Park will likely be a 2 seed in Class 5A.
c/o “29” RB Amir Smothers has been having a breakout sophomore season @_MP_Football . Look for @AmirSmothers_ to continue his strong play heading into week 9 of the CPL Championship & 5A IHSA State.
He leading the # 1 CPL team (7-1) in Rushing Touchdowns for the season.
(8 TD)