At the start of this season, Morgan Park head football coach Lexie Spurlock made it perfectly clear that his team's ultimate goal was to win a state championship.
Friday night at Gately Stadium, the Mustangs will begin their quest for that elusive state title when they battle Wheaton North in a Class 7-A first round contest at Gately Stadium.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
"Winning a state title is really what it's all about," Spurlock said. "That's been our goal since we first put on the pads way back in the summer. We want to bring a state championship back to Morgan Park."
It was three years ago when the Mustangs came up short in their bid for a state title when they dropped a semi-final game to Cary-Grove.
"We all still remember that game," Spurlock said. "Now, it's time for us to get back once again to the state championship round."
Morgan Park was indeed dominant in the regular season. Led by a solid offense and defense, the Mustangs rolled to an 8.-1 record, capturing the Prairie State conference title.
Last week, they opened play in the Public League playoffs with an impressive 40-8 win over previously unbeaten Julian.
"We're playing some really outstanding football right now, Spurlock added. "Hopefully, we'll be able to keep doing the same thing now that we're in the state playoffs."
Wheaton North will be bringing a 5-4 record to the game. Head coach Matt Fisher's Falcons play in the tough DuPage Valley Conference.
In other first round IHSA playoff games Friday, Leyden will battle top-ranked Mt. Carmel at Gately and Whitney Young takes on Glenbard North at Hanson in Class 8A play. Also, King travels to Glenbard South for a Class 6-A battle and Leo buses to Chicago Christian for a Class 4-A showdown.
In Saturday playoff action, Simeon travels to Grant and Hubbard hosts Riverside-Brookfield at Gatery in Class 6-A encounters. In Class 5-A play, Robeson meets Jonesburg and Harper takes on Rochelle in a twin bin at Stagg Stadium.
Also Saturday, Manley will host Nazareth at Hanson in yet another Class 5-A battle.
[Author Affiliation]
by Larry Gross
Defender Staff Writer
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