CPS football teams make it to state semi-finals

CHICAGO (WLS) -- For the first time in history, two Chicago Public School teams are in the state's football final four in the same year.

Simeon Academy played Saturday night and Wendell Phillips Saturday afternoon, both games played at Gately Stadium on the South Side.

"We're the second team to get there," said Troy McAllister, Phillips head coach. "Nobody's done it, now it's our turn."

They're two city teams with championship dreams. Wendell Phillips is in Class 4A, while Simeon Career Academy is in Class 8a.

"I'm very proud of them that we've made it to this point," said Simeon Head Coach Dante Culbreath. "We worked hard and it's paying off for us right now."

"I told him, 'You gotta believe, you gotta want it, you go get it,'" said Simeon parent Teyonye Franks.

Played back to back in Chicago's Gately Stadium, Phillips matched up against Coal City High School, Simeon against Homewood Flossmoor. Spectators packed the stands for both games.

In the end, however, despite a close game to the finish, Simeon's dream ended on the field, the final score 35-28. But for the first time in 32 years, a Chicago team will play in the IHSA championship game. Wendell Phillips trounced Coal City 26-6.

"It's absolutely ridiculous," said Wendell Phillips Academy Principal Matthew Sullivan. "The run our boys have been on. We have full stands here, something that a couple of years ago you would have never seen."

Only one CPS team has even made it to the IHSA finals, and that was Robeson back in 1982.

"This is what happens when you put the right amount of work in," said Phillips parent Clinton Elmore. "You get what you deserve. We're going to do it. Hopefully we become the first city team to win state this year."

Simeon and Phillips are only the seventh and eighth CPS teams to make it even this far. Neither team has competed in the final four. Next week will determine whether the city has finally gotten its turn at a state championship.