Simeon advances in Class 6A playoffs as Oak Lawn caps another seven-win season

Simeon extended its winning streak to five games Friday night with a 28-19 victory at Oak Lawn in the opening round of the Class 6A football playoffs. The result sends the Wolverines into a second-round matchup against either Nazareth or Dunlap and completes another seven-win season for the host Spartans.

Sophomore Eshun Flowers delivered a key special-teams play on the first snap of the fourth quarter. He blocked an Oak Lawn punt, recovered the ball and carried it 25 yards for a touchdown. That put Simeon ahead 28-13, completing a stretch of three consecutive Wolverines scores after Oak Lawn had led 13-6.

Junior Bryce Kidd contributed touchdowns through the air and on the ground. He caught a 25-yard scoring pass from sophomore quarterback Aki King and added a 79-yard touchdown run along the right sideline. Senior running back James Bell, one of Illinois’ leading uncommitted prospects, also scored on an eight-yard run.

King finished with 55 rushing yards on seven carries and completed four of nine passes for 57 yards. Oak Lawn focused its defense on King and sophomore receiver Jalonny Billingsley, creating opportunities for other Simeon playmakers. Coach Sinque Turner credited Kidd’s track speed as another option for the offense and said King’s experience against strong opponents had helped him develop. King also pointed to the offseason seven-on-seven work he shared with his receivers.

Simeon protected its fourth-quarter advantage with two fumble recoveries and a fourth-down stop at its own two-yard line. Oak Lawn scored with 1:25 remaining but did not convert the extra point, and the Wolverines used the remaining time to finish the game. Simeon now stands at 6-5 after opening the season with three losses and dropping five of its first six games.

For Oak Lawn, Jayden Schlosser carried 23 times for 134 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Danny Strelow added a short touchdown run. The Spartans finished 7-3, giving the program consecutive seven-win seasons after 15 straight losing campaigns, including an 0-9 record in 2024. Coach Ryan Pattison credited the seniors with helping reshape the program over the past two seasons, a meaningful achievement for the school even as its playoff run ended.