FIRST AND SHORT

First and short: Simuncak on record-setting run

JR Radcliffe
jr.radcliffe@jrn.com

Last week's Push Player of the Week, Jake Simuncak of South Milwaukee, had the latest in an eye-popping run of statistical outputs, and they're becoming increasingly notable.

According to records kept by the WFCA, Simuncak tied an obscure record last Friday, rushing for three straight games of 300 or more yards. He racked up rushing totals of 308, 418 and 309 over his past three games, helping the Rockets defeat Brown Deer, Cudahy and Whitnall respectively.

The 418 yards set a state record for rushing yards by a quarterback, but the third output may have had the most lasting impact, coming in a win over Whitnall that all but assured the Rockets of a postseason spot. The previous best for QB rushing yards came from Jack Dunn of Madison Edgewood (363 in 2015).

Dick Barbour of Hillsboro (1970) and Adrian Davis of Kenosha St. Joseph (2001) are the only two rushers on record to post three straight 300-yard rushing games. Davis also has the mark for most 300-yard rushing performances in a season with five.

South Milwaukee plays New Berlin West tonight on the road.

One last great note: Jake's father, Dennis, holds the state-title game record for longest interception return when he ran back a pick-six for 101 yards with Cudahy in 1982 against Antigo. It's a record that could obviously stand forever -- second place is just 53 yards. Here's a photo of that play: