Iron Horses inaugural JV football team officially steps up to varsity level

It might not be as dramatic as when the clock struck midnight in the movie Cinderella, but the Philip Simmons football team faced a big change when the game clock struck 0.00 in last Thursday’s contest against Andrews.

The Iron Horses posted a 26-12 victory over Andrews to conclude its season with a 7-1 victory. But as soon as the game ended, the Iron Horses transitioned from a junior varsity to varsity program, according to coach Eric Bendig.

“Just like that,” Bendig said. “It’s time to get ready for next year. We have optional weight lifting through November and then it’s a fulltime commitment beginning in December.”

Philip Simmons High School is in its first year of existence and the football team was brand new as well. Bendig, who has an impressive resume as an assistant coach before being named head coach at PSHS, admitted his first year in the role ended a little differently than past years. There were no tearful goodbyes to seniors. In fact, there are no seniors on the team. Next year’s squad will include freshmen, sophomores and juniors.

“We were able to say, see you tomorrow,” Bendig said. “We were able to say to everyone, ‘See you next year.’”

The Iron Horses totaled 266 yards against Andrews with 200 yards coming on the ground. Sophomore Solomon Bess carried 14 times for 185 yards and scored a touchdown. He accounted for the Iron Horses last score of the game with a 47-yard TD run.

Quarterback Omaro Asby completed 8 of 13 passing for 66 yards and two touchdowns. He connected with Tripp Williams for a 16-yard score to give the Iron Horses a 7-6 lead.

R.J. Watson picked off a pass and returned it 65 yards for a score to push the lead to 14-6.

The Iron Horses made it 20-6 in the second quarter when Asby passed 28 yards to R.J. Watson for a score. The Iron Horses’ defense played well all season and Thursday was no exception. Javier Collins-Smith recorded six tackles, while Kyree Morgan logged five tackles, including one for a loss. Nathan Newman and Wes Michaels both recovered fumbles. Watson also intercepted a pass in addition to his TD on a kickoff return.

“We ran the ball well against a very good Andrews team,” Bendig said. “We are physical and caused some turnovers. They had a lot of guys playing both ways and I think they got a little gassed.”

So what’s next for the Iron Horses, who will compete in Region 6-AA?

Bendig will continue to sell the program to student-athletes who opted not to play this fall.

He’s also talking to the eighth-graders in the feeder programs about the program’s success and future. He’s also looking for players to step up as leaders.

“I’ve told the players you don’t have to be a senior to be a leader,” he said. “You can become a leader through experiences such as life lessons. The first step toward being a leader is making a 100 percent commitment to the program.”