On the West Side, the sport of basketball usually rules when it comes to high school sports. However this season, football is starting to get some notice. Among the West Side schools that are having a good football season is Manley, where second-year head
On the West Side, the sport of basketball usually rules when it comes to high school sports. However this season, football is starting to get some notice.
Among the West Side schools that are having a good football season is Manley, where second-year head coach James Boggan has the Wildcats off to a 3-1 record on the season.
Last Saturday, they rolled to a convincing 32-7 win over Gwendolyn Brooks in Heartland Conference action.
Boggan was an assistant coach for three years. Before that, he spent 18 years at Collins high school as the head football coach.
He feels playing good defense is the key to success in football.
“I believe in having a strong defense and an offense that takes advantage of what the defense gives them,” Boggan said.
Keying Manley this season has been four All-Heartland Conference players: fullback and linebacker Will Hadley, tight end and defensive end Antown Mortican, offensive and defensive tackle Michael Gurrant, and linebacker and tailback Terrance Washington.
“He’s the type of runner you don’t teach a lot,” Boggan said of Washington. “He’s a natural combination of good speed and power.
Boggan is joined on his staff at Manley by John Stamps and Calvin Peterson, who coached under him at Collins. “They help me along with the rest of the coaches to get my game plans across,” Boggan said. “Anthony Steward, who was once the head coach at Manley, is also part of my staff, so he makes the transition for me and the team more comfortable as well.”
Manley will face its biggest challenge of the season when they tangle with Harlan Saturday at Gately Stadium.
“Harlan will definitely be our biggest test,” Boggan said. “I think we will measure ourselves off this game and that will say a lot on what we may do this season and show us what we need to work on to be successful this season.”
In local high school football games slated for Thursday, Crane hosts Phillips while Julian tangles with Dunbar, and CVS takes on unbeaten Hubbard in a Gately Stadium twin bill.
On Friday, Steinmetz travels to Lane Tech while Robeson takes on Fenger, and Simeon has a Prairie State Conference showdown with Morgan Park.
On Saturday, Clark will be banging helmets with Brooks, Harlan entertains Manley, Harper faces King and Curie huddles up against Foreman.
In weekend Catholic League play, Leo will bus to Lincoln Way North Friday night while on Saturday Hales travels to Guerin Prep, and De La Salle hosts Mt. Carmel.
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