IHSA Playoffs: Three Public League Teams Advance to Second Round
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The Chicago Public League set a record with 24 football teams qualifying for the 2021 IHSA Playoffs. As we move onto round two, only three Public League teams remain on the road to DeKalb—Clarke, Morgan Park, and Phillips. Phillips is…
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Continue ReadingThe Chicago Public League set a record with 24 football teams qualifying for the 2021 IHSA Playoffs.
As we move onto round two, only three Public League teams remain on the road to DeKalb—Clarke, Morgan Park, and Phillips.
Phillips is the only Public league team ever to win a state championship, Morgan Park made it to the state semi-finals back in 2005, and Clark earned their school its first-ever playoff victory last week against Elmwood-Brimfield.
So without further ado, let’s get to know the three Public league teams who are still rolling down the road to DeKalb…
(9) Morgan Park Mustangs | 5A
Head Coach: Chris James
2021 Fall Record: 7-2
PF/G 36.3Â PA/G 20.1
Second Round Matchup: 11/6 vs. Kankakee (10-0)
Matchup Key: I’ve gotten a chance to watch the Mustangs in person on multiple occasions, and I’ll be the first to tell you that this team is not lacking in the talent department. The Mustangs are led by their ultra-talented quarterback Aaron Warren, a prospect who’s more than capable of carving up a defense through the air and is even more dangerous when he decides to break the pocket. Tysean Griffin Tysean Griffin 5'11" | 165 lbs | ATH Morgan Park | 2024 State IL , arguably the most talented player in Illinois’ C/O 24’ is another prospect on the Mustangs with game-breaking ability. But it’s the Mustangs’ defensive backs who will be tested by Kankakee’s aerial assault, led by quarterback Tamele Staples and receiver Pierre Allen who caught 43 passes for 905 yards and 14 touchdowns. Luckily for the Mustangs, they have one of the best cornerback duos in the state with Kiwaun Davis and Donta Hayes Jr.; Not mention, Tysean Griffin Tysean Griffin 5'11" | 165 lbs | ATH Morgan Park | 2024 State IL is also a pretty good defensive back.
Prospects to Know:
Aaron Warren | QB | ’22
Tysean Griffin Tysean Griffin 5'11" | 165 lbs | ATH Morgan Park | 2024 State IL | ATH | ’24
Kendall Sprouts | WR | ’22
Devan King Devan King 6'0" | 285 lbs | OL Morgan Park | 2022 IL | OL | ’22
Ahmad Grayer | LB | ’25
Kiwaun Davis | CB | ’22 | X-Factor
Donta Hayes Jr. | CB | ’22 | X-Factor
Chris Durr Chris Durr 5'11" | 160 lbs | WR Morgan Park | 2024 State IL Jr. | ATH | ’24
Jovan Clark Jovan Clark 6'0" | 200 lbs | ATH Morgan Park | 2025 State IL | ATH | ’25
Shawn Harris | WR | ’22
(6) Phillips Wildcats | 4A
Head Coach: Joe Winslow
2021 Fall Record: 7-2
PF/G 32.6Â PA/G 16.5
Second Round Matchup: 11/6 @ Kewanee (9-1)
Matchup Key: Phillips got off to a rocky start to the season by dropping their first two games, but the Wildcats have since gone on an 8-game winning streak as one of the hottest public league teams heading into the playoffs. It’s also worth noting that Phillips is the only Public League team ever to win a state championship—so at least they have history on their side. Kewanee averaged nearly 40 points per game this season but only averaged 21 points per game over their last three games, which is quite a drop if you ask me. If Phillips can hold Kewanee around that 21-point mark, they’ll put themselves in a great position to advance to the next round. Keep an eye on Phillips’ quarterback Tyler Turner and receiver Avante Savage Avante Savage 6'2" | 175 lbs | WR Phillips | 2022 State IL ; they could be in line for a huge day along with Phillips’ versatile linebacker Armani Conway.
Prospects to Know:
Tyler Turner | QB | ’22 | X-Factor
Armani Conway | LB | ’22
Avante Savage Avante Savage 6'2" | 175 lbs | WR Phillips | 2022 State IL | WR | ’22 | X-Factor
Jahon Walker | CB | ’22
Keontay Taylor | OL | ’22
Damian Thomas | OL | ’22
Kameron Hoard | TE | ’22
DMarion Green | DB | ’22
(5) Clark Eagles | 3A
Head Coach: Kevin Simmons
2021 Fall Record: 8-1
PF/G 47.8Â PA/G 12.2
Second Round Matchup: 11/6 @ Reed-Custer (9-1)
Matchup Key: For the first time in school history, the Clark Eagles got their first-ever IHSA Playoff victory with a 28-16 win over Elmwood-Brimfield in last week’s first-round play. Clarke plays an old-fashioned brand of football, they’re going to line up and run the ball down your throat and dare you to stop them, and so far, no one has really been able to come up with a recipe to contain their rushing attack. Their O-line is massive and is led by 6’5″ 335lb senior Elijah Edwards. Clarke’s Quadrell Hill is by far one of the most underrated running backs in the state and one of three running backs on the team to rush for over 500 yards this season. If I were a betting man, I would say that Reed-Custer is going to get a heavy dose of Clarke’s rushing attack, and if they’re unable to contain it, then the Eagles will be making more history by advancing yet another round in the IHSA playoffs.
Prospects to Know:
Willie Taylor | ATH | ’23 | X-Factor
Quadrell Hill | RB | ’22 | X-Factor
Keondre Pitts | RB | ’24
Dontrell Starks | ATH | ’23
Jassani Freeman | ATH | ’22
Elijah Edwards | OL | ’22 | X-Factor
Adrian Clayton | ATH | ’23
Johnny Taylor | OL | ’23
Avion Ellis | OL | ’23
Yafae Cotton | ATH | ’22
Lamar Phillips | WR | ’22