Junior running back Jonsean Young returned to the field for Morgan Park after dealing with a knee injury from summer training. This time off turned into an advantage for his on-field performance. Reflecting on his comeback, Young said, “I realized how much I missed everything and wanted to be back. I never fold under pressure. This is a game I love and have been doing ever since I was little. I just keep going.”
During a game on a Saturday afternoon, Young’s pivotal 32-yard run set up his go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter. This helped the Mustangs secure a 20-6 victory over Simeon in Chicago’s Rockne Stadium. Junior quarterback Ronald Smith Jr. also contributed with a 54-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Travezz Jones, leading Morgan Park to its fifth consecutive win with a 5-1 overall record.
Young’s 1-yard touchdown run at the start of the fourth quarter broke the 6-6 tie. Junior defensive end Milen Porter, who had two sacks and seven tackles, praised Young’s resilience. “We needed that so badly,” Porter said about Young’s decisive TD run. “He’s a tough guy who has played through an injury the whole season. He’s physical and he runs really hard. I applaud him.”
Morgan Park’s offense was mostly inactive after junior running back William Smith Jr. scored a 64-yard touchdown on the second play. Smith noted, “As soon as he came back, he had a hungry mentality. He goes very hard every single play. Off the field he’s quiet, a great student, a funny guy who’s great to be around.” This game marked just Young’s third appearance since his return, yet he made a significant impact, scoring four touchdowns in limited playing time. In the game against Simeon, he rushed 61 yards on seven carries, only participating in the second half.
Young commented on his playing time, “The coaches have been careful about my playing time and working me back, but I was fresh when I got in there. We needed a first down and the coaches put me in. I took that as an opportunity to run the ball, and I ran hard.” Young, standing 5-foot-11 and weighing 185 pounds, stated he is around 95% healthy. He demonstrated both his agility and his willingness to endure contact on the field.
“The coaches have always believed in me,” he said. “My mentality is just to run hard. Every time I run is a chance to help the team win.”
Young began his varsity journey in his freshman year, known for his toughness as a runner. Football runs in his family, with his cousin Bucky Irving, a former Hillcrest star, now playing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Young recalled, “Football just goes back generations beyond generations in my family, with my dad, my uncles, and now Bucky. I’ve watched Bucky ever since I was little, and he’s a big influence.”
Young’s love for the game emerged early in life. His mother recounted how he enjoyed playing with any football they owned. Beyond the field, Young enjoys designing shirts and clothes, an interest sparked by his brothers three years ago. “I’m an entrepreneur,” he said. “I want to play in college and make something happen.” Young expressed his joy about returning to the game, “It feels great to be back. There’s so much satisfaction running the ball and playing the game. You take your anger out.”