Chicago Public League Sports Blog

50.65 for Watson!

Jeremiah Watson(jr) of Urban Prep ran a 50.65 in the 400 meter dash at the Northern Indoor Track Classic at Illinois Wesleyan.

That is his personal best time indoors, the fastest CPS indoor time this year, and up there in the state for class 2A. Also, to give you an idea of how fast that time is only an elite handful of CPS athletes have run around that time in the 400 the last few years. Mac Melto of Northside ran 49.25 last season, state 100 meter runner up Darius Smith of CVS ran 50.97 in 2011, 300 meter state champion Jonathan Jackson of Lane Tech ran 51.69 in 2010, and 100 meter state runner up Chris Kyles of Lane Tech ran a 52.3 in 2009.

That is some lofty company that Watson has suddenly immersed himself with and we are just a couple weeks into the indoor season.

From this point out, you will be hearing much more of Watson.

Urban Prep-Englewood Lions Football Team Preview

Last Year: 8-2 overall; 7-0 and conference champions the Chicago Second City Conference; lost a hard fought 43-41 result over Rochelle in the state playoffs.

This year: Urban Prep moves up to the Illini-Prairie state conference with Morgan Park, Hubbard, Robeson, Orr

Quick Take:
Depsite playing it's first ever state playoff game, Urban Prep nearly pulled off a shocker in it's 43-41 loss to Rochelle last year. In that game quarterback Jeremy Pearson threw for 238 yards and 4 touchdowns.

The good news for Urban Prep-Englewood fans is that Pearson returns. Pearson(5-9,165lbs, sr, QB/WR) had a monster season for UP last year throwing for 1188 yards on 69 completions for 138 attempts). Pearson goes into this season as one of the top quarterbacks in the CPS.

Pearson will have lots of returning talent.

On the offensive side UP-Englewood has a pair of experienced backs in #20 Kent Lawson(5-10,150lbs, sr, RB)(captain)(33 carries; 234 yards; 7 yard average) and #8 Carl Beathea(5-8,160lbs, jr, LB/RB)(3 interceptions, can play running back).

Defensively, the Lions will be strong as they return their top two returning tacklers from last year in #55 Fazon Chapman(6-2,210lbs, jr, DL)(tied for top returning tackler) and #7 Arnell Anderson(5-10,185lbs, jr, LB/RB)(tied for top returning tackler). Also look out for high energy man #40 Tevin O'Neil(5-8,200lbs, FB/LB) who led the Lions last year with 6 sacks.


Conference Outlook:
Urban Prep has the potential to be one of the surprise teams of the CPS this year. They move into the Illini-Prairie State conference for the first time. The Prairie State has been dominated by either Morgan Park or Hubbard in past years. Though, this conference is tough from bottom to top. Robeson and Orr traditionally have strong programs and are not gimme games.

Urban Prep really has an opportunity to prove itself in the Illini. With all their returning talent and a good showing last year, I can see them playing competitive in every conference game. I do see Urban Prep playing with Robeson and Orr.I'm not sure they will have quite enough to topple Morgan Park and Hubbard. Although, those two teams cannot stay in the top forever. Can this be the year? We will all find out.

Players to Watch:
#15 Jeremy Pearson(5-9,165lbs, sr, QB/WR)(returning starting QB; 69 for 138; 1188 yards; 17 TD's)
#20 Kent Lawson(5-10,150lbs, sr, RB)(captain)(33 carries; 234 yards; 7 yard average)
#8 Carl Beathea(5-8,160lbs, jr, LB/RB)(3 interceptions, can play running back)
#55 Fazon Chapman(6-2,210lbs, jr, DL)(tied for top returning tackler)
#7 Arnell Anderson(5-10,185lbs, jr, LB/RB)(tied for top returning tackler)
#40 Tevin O'Neil(5-8,200lbs, FB/LB)(leader with 6 sacks)

Football Team Previews Page

CPS Boys Varsity Prelims

The CPS is by far the top class 2A sprint conference in the state!

Justin Smith(jr) (left) of Payton leads and eventually wins his heat of the 100 meter dash. In the center is Jabrice Reese of Urban Prep and in teh far right is David Bradley(so) of Whitney Young. Smith ran a PR today of 11.16 in the 100 meter dash in day where 4 runners broke 11 seconds.

Some quick highlights in this exciting day:

• 8 CPS runners break 11.19 in the 100 meter dash (6 of them are in class 2A).
• Brian Carter(jr) of Kelvyn Park runs a 10.70 (FAT) in prelims.
• Christopher Dolton(sr) of Morgan Park (now in class 2A) runs a 22.06 in the 200 and a 10.84 in the 100.
• The CPS has a new sprint star in Freshman Terry MaGee of North Lawndale. Magee runs an 11.06 in the 100 meter dash.

 

Theoretical 200

Isreal Durley (sr), Urban Prep

I do not have the heat sheets yet.  However, here is what I think could happen if all of these guys ran the 200 at the CPS indoor meet:

Group A
1. Lonnie Washington - Calumet
2. Devon Sanders - Robeson
3. Demairus Reed - Simeon
4. Dakari Howard - Whitney Young
5. Justin Smith - Payton
6. Shavell Lucas - Fenger

Group B
1. DeShawn Jordan - NLCP
2. Carl Young - Orr
3. Jeremiah Bowers - Marshall
4. Timothy Warren - Jones

Group C
1. Darius Smith - CVS
2. Jamal McNeeley - Kelvyn Park
3. Isreal Durley - Urban Prep
4. Steele Collins - Hubbard

Am I missing anyone?

Notice, the CPS is so deep in sprints that all 3 groups are very strong.

Urban Prep College Choice Update

Siende Lemon to NIU

Siende Lemon (sr) of Urban Prep- Facebook photo.

I just got this email from Isreal Durley (sr) and class of 2011 President of Urban Prep:

"I wanted to update you on recruits at my school... As you know Mason Fuller commits to NIU, also DB Siende Lemon (Sr.) Commits to NIU for Football.

Additionally, I am pursuing the educational route by way of my school's staff and coaches, I will be most likely going to a D3 track career at a Private Liberal Arts School, most likely Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa."

Isreal Durley (sr) if Urban Prep returns as one of the CPS's top 300 meter hurdlers.

Mason Fuller of Urban Prep committs to Northern Illinois University

Mason Fuller (sr, 6-3, 300lbs, DT) committed to play football for Northern Illinois University. He also had offers from Illinois, Kansas, and South Carolina (from the SEC).

Fuller became Urban Prep's first division 1 football signee.

Northern Illinois is a program on the rise. In 2010 they beat Minnesota, won the MAC West Conference with an undefeated 8-0 record and they won a bowl game over Fresno State.

 

 

Chicago Sun-Times All-Chicago Conference Football Teams

Taft QB Michael Shewchuk (6-3, 180, sr)

CHICAGO BIG SHOULDERS
Clemente: Corey Brown, Yolante Edwards, Darius Howard, Rashaun James; Foreman: Kentrel Brown, Johnny Guerrero, Brandon Johnson, Jesus Martinez; Lake View: J.J. Callan, Mike Dangerfield, Jose Garcia; Prosser: DeMichael Brown, Treymoine Jordan; Schurz: Jamyrius Penn; Senn: Cody Gillard, Quinell Johnson, Yusuf Mohammed, Rashaun Roberts, Dravon Williams; Steinmetz: Lawrence Baldwin, Michael Hodges, Johnathan Soberanis, Marcus Smith, John Verdusco; Taft: Jorge Delgado, Andrew Matos, Omar Ramirez, Michael Shewchuk, Erik Zalewski

CHICAGO GREAT LAKES
Ag. Science: Shawn Ball; Bowen: Marshawn Dixon, Dequence Goodman, Dominique Stewart, Andre Wharton; Carver: Damontez Pendleton, Antonio Gardner; DuSable: Jermaine Atkins, Victor Bradford, Elliott Gould, Michael Thomas; Payton: Mammadu Dialo, Jack Kalanik, Alex Short, Justin Smith; Perspectives: Eric Johnson, Cordell Stokley, Elijah Stokley, Spencer Williams; Phillips: Anthony Davis, Jarvis Robinson, Kewuan Smith, Demetrius Thomas

CHICAGO SECOND CITY
Austin: Michael Howe, Devante Williams, Odarien Henderson; Chicago Academy: Lance Baggett, Jimmy Gill, Derrick Scott, Dustyn Velez; Collins: Darien Bankhead, Anthony Craft, Japone Johnson, Andre Stoutmire, Allen Sumrell; Douglass: Marlon Buie, Maurice Earskines, Lesean Givens, Pierre Laniyan, Alonzo Smith; Manley: Terrance Bass, Tavaris Hampton, Kyle Hill, Manuel Pratt, Kyle Wamble; Uplift: Jamal Carter, Jameel Carter, Marcus Sanders, Darnell Wilson

CHICAGO WINDY CITY
Corliss: Eugene Carter, Denzell Castine, Kashmier Sangster, Demarco Thurmond, Rasheed Woolfolk; Gage Park: Jermaine Thomas; Hyde Park: Rashaud Crayton, Deangelo Pierce, Jamal Stubbs, Joseph Williams; Julian: Isiah Cage, Ladell Fleming, Willie McCray, Demarlon Morris, Robyn Pondexter, Vernell Pondexter; Kelly: Jonathan Alexia, Oscar Canal, Angelo Hernandez; South Shore: Maxie Carney, James Murphy, Jamaii Bill-Smith; Urban Prep: Kyle Ficklin, Cedric Abdul-hakeem, Kent Lawson, Siende Lemon, Hiram White

The Sun-Times inadverdently made a major omission is leaving out Mason Fuller(sr) from Urban Prep. Fuller is a highly recruited lineman - with offers from University of Illinois, Kansas, and South Carolina.

...and how can they leave out Terrell Clinkscale (sr) from Douglass - a beast of lineman and also the defending CPS heavyweight wrestling champion.

Eric Zalewski (sr, 6-3, 225lb OL/DL) from Taft

Playmakers DeMichael Brown (right) Treymoine Jordan from Prosser

Neilski's All-CPS lineman Fall 2010

Mikhail Dubose (jr) of Hubbard - with a good off season at combines and camps could be highly recruited next year.

Fall 2010 All-CPS lineman team (no order)
Matthew Porter (sr, C), Morgan Park
Mikhail Dubose (jr), Hubbard
Chris Bryant (sr- OL), Simeon
Darren Monroe (jr- OL), Simeon
Jordan Diamond (jr- OL), Simeon
James Adeyanju (sr- DE), Curie
Mason Fuller (sr- DE), Urban Prep
Darnell Burgess (sr), Orr
Cameren Franklin (sr- TE), Robeson

James Adeyanju (sr) - Curie - led Curie to first ever city football championship; will continue football career at University of Wisconsin - the lineman school.

Christian Bryant (sr) - One of 3 all-city Wolverines from a Simeon team that advanced to state quarterfinals. Arizona, Illinois, are just some of the schools he is considering. One of the top OL prospects in the state of Illinois.


Mason Fuller (sr) - Urban Prep - the onle selection from a non-Illini conference school. Illinois, Kansas, and South Carolian have already offered him.


Jordan Diamond (jr) and Darren Monroe (jr) of Simeon- The pair were part of a Simeon offensive line unit that as a unit was one of the top I've seen in the Public League in years. Both return next year and are already heavily looked at by colleges. Monroe is monster sized at 6-3, 370lbs. Diamond is 6-7 and 290lbs and already has offers from Illinois and Arizona. Ohio State is looking at him.

Mason Fuller of Urban Prep picks up offer from South Carolina from the SEC

Mason Fuller (sr, DL, 6-3, 290lbs) of Urban Prep picked up a football offer from the University of South Carolina. South Carolina is the highest profile school that has offered Fuller. He already has offers from Illinois and Kansas. Other schools are interested including Notre Dame, Nebraska, and Ohio State.

"I haven't picked a school yet, I am undecided," said Fuller when I last asked him if he was leaning towards Illinois or any other school.

Here's some film of him from last season.

 

Urban Prep Football Team Preview...Part 1

Mason Fuller of Urban Prep (Scout.com photo)

Last Year's Stats
conference: Chicago-Second City
record: 5-4 (5-2 conference)
playoffs: missed playoffs

2009-10 roster : http://www.maxpreps.com/high-schools/-kUjkc7QrEKge4FScL1T3Q/urban-prep-charter-lions/football-fall-09/roster.htm


2009-10 season results

 L 0 12 4-5 Chicago (Amundsen)  
 L 6 49 4-5 Harvey (Thornton)  
 W 40 0 0-9 *Chicago (C. Military Academy-Bronzevill 
 W 34 8 4-5 *Chicago (Douglass)  
 L 0 14 6-3 *Chicago (Phillips)  
 W 12 6 5-4 *Chicago (Uplift)  
 L 6 36 8-2 *Chicago (Raby)  
 W 18 14 1-8 *Chicago (DuSable)  
 W 36 0 3-6 *Chicago (C. Academy)

Last year was the first year that Urban Prep, a school only 4 years old, had a senior class. The Lions performed well finishing with a 5-4 overall record and a 5-2 conference record. They played Amundsen and Thornton in non-conference games, playing Amundsen competitively in a 12-0 loss. The Amundsen game was a good sign of things to come. Amundsen, while not the biggest name in CPS football did play in the more competitive Illini-Prairie State Conference finishing 3rd only behind Morgan Park and Hubbard. Have you heard of those schools?

During conference play, Urban Prep was 5-2 losing only to good teams from Raby and Phillips. Conference champion Raby will move on to an Illini conference this year.

Urban Prep Charter Lions High School Football Schedule 2010-11

Date	Opponent
8/27/10 7:00 PM	@ Marist (Chicago, IL)
9/04/10 11:00 AM	Thornton (Harvey, IL) Location: Gately Stadium 810 East 103rd Street
9/11/10 1:15 PM	@ Gage Park (Chicago, IL) * Location: Rockne Stadium 1117 South Central Avenue
9/18/10 11:00 AM	@ Kenwood (Chicago, IL) * Location: Gately Stadium 810 East 103rd Street
9/25/10 1:15 PM	Corliss (Chicago, IL) * Location: Amos A Stagg Stadium 1035 West 74th Street
10/02/10 3:00 PM	South Shore (Chicago, IL) * Location: Amos A Stagg Stadium 1035 West 74th Street
10/08/10 3:30 PM	Hyde Park (Chicago, IL) * Location: Amos A Stagg Stadium 1035 West 74th Street
10/16/10 11:00 AM	@ Kelly (Chicago, IL) * Location: Rockne Stadium 1117 South Central Avenue
10/23/10 1:00 PM	Julian (Chicago, IL) * Location: amos A Stagg Stadium 1035 West 74th Street