Simley Advances In Section With 49-13 Triumph

Junior quarterback Nick Wanzek had a hand in four touchdowns and Simley High’s Spartans played their best game of the season to roll visiting St. Louis Park 49-13 in Section 3 Class 4A football playoffs Tuesday.

It was the third straight decisive win for the surging Spartans, who dominated the visiting Orioles on both sides of the ball.

Simley (4-5) will play top-seeded St. Thomas Academy (8-0) Saturday at Mendota Heights in a 1 p.m. game. The Cadets blanked Simley 42-0 in the first game of the season.

Simley spotted St. Louis Park a 6-0 lead after a fumble gave the Orioles possession at the Simley 35-yard line. One play later Orioles quarterback Jacolbi Courington-Meier passed to Jordan Young for a 35-yard touchdown.

The Spartans then roared back with 49 unanswered points.

Wanzek ran for three touchdowns and passed for another to lead Simley offensively. Wanzek scored on three- and six-yard touchdown runs in the first quarter, managed a 38-yard scoring run in the second quarter and passed 11 yards to junior tight end Eric Jones in the third quarter for another touchdown.

Tuesday’s win was the team’s best performance of the season, Wanzek said.

“We were the most disciplined this year and the scoreboard really showed it,” Wanzek said.

Simley head coach Rex King was also pleased with his team’s discipline Tuesday.

“When we talked to the kids, I said I want this to be our hardest-hitting, most disciplined game they’ve ever played in their life. And we took care if business tonight. We came out and played disciplined. Besides those two fumbles and mis-timed jump on the ball in the first half, it was a near-perfect game.

Simley broke away from a six-all tie to score four straight touchdowns and take control of the game. The Spartans led 35-6 at the half and 42-6 after three quarters.

The Spartans controlled the line of scrimmage for the most part, on both offense and defense.

“We maintained our blocks. We maintained our gaps, we did our wall 11, where we each do our part on the field,” said Simley senior lineman Cody Dock.  

Senior Darion Fletcher scored on a 54-yard run in the second quarter to make it a 21-6 game.

Senior tight end/linebacker Cody Hazelett capped the night for the Spartans with a 73-yard touchdown run in the fourth.

“I’ve been waiting all season for coach to call my number,” said Hazelett. “It felt good. I just wanted to show everybody that I can do it, that I can play with anybody.

“I had a great time,” Hazelett said. “And I love playing with these guys that we have. I love them, they’re like my brothers.”

Desmon Martin scored on an 8-yard touchdown run for St. Louis Park in the fourth quarter.

St. Louis Park ends its season at 3-6.