HOLLANDALE — After their 42-22 victory over West Bolivar last Thursday night, the Simmons High School football team accomplished a great feat by finishing the regular season with a perfect 9-0 record. But, with the MHSAA Class 1A State Playoffs starting this Friday night, these Blue Devils still have their eyes on making even more history.
Simmons hosts Stringer (2-7) Friday night in their opening round game.
“Going undefeated is pretty special, and I have to take my hat off to the coaching staff who have worked hard each week to have the kids ready to play,” Simmons coach Derrick Hooker said. Simmons assistant coaches are Demetric Warren, Jarvis Williams, Henry Johnson, Shawn Jamison, Mykel Maybell and Roy Halmus.
This is the first undefeated regular season the Blue Devils since the 2018 season when Simmons lost in the state championship game to Nanih Waiya. Simmons went undefeated and won three straight state championships in 2015, 2016 and 2017.
“These kids know the tradition we have at Simmons, and they want to continue that tradition and make their own history,” Coach Hooker said.
The 22 points the Blue Devils gave up to West Bolivar last Thursday was a rarity for the Simmons defense since it is just the second time the unit has given up more than 20 points this season. The swarming Simmons defense is the cornerstone of the team with the Blue Devils.
“The defense has been a total team effort,” Coach Hooker said. “We usually have four or five defenders make the tackle on each play.”
On offense, Simmons quarterback Tyrone Buchanan has steadily improved with each game. When he is not making a play on his own, Buchanan has been able to find playmakers like Prentavis Madison, Eddie George and Kenzavius Lundy to make plenty of highlights.
“He has shown a lot of bright spots this season. He plays well and he manages the game well. He knows where he is supposed to be.”
