By Robert Wilson
There are no official national high school records for most quarterback sacks in a single game, but what Hartfield Academy junior defensive lineman London Simmons did Saturday night might be one.
The 6-foot-2, 265-pound Simmons had an amazing six sacks in Hartfield’s 21-0 victory over defending state champion Jackson Prep for the MAIS Class 6A state championship for the first football title in school history at Mississippi College in Clinton.
For his outstanding performance, Simmons has been named the Junction Deli/Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson Football Player of the Week.
Simmons and his teammates were dominating up front, limiting Prep to only nine rushing yards and keeping the Patriots from scoring the first time since 2004 when Jackson Academy defeated Prep 21-0 for the state title.
Simmons alternated playing the defensive end and nose guard positions against Prep.
“Anytime Prep had to block London one and one, he gave them trouble,” Hartfield coach Craig Bowman said. “He is very smart and uses his hands so well. London is just a lot to deal with up front.”
There are no national high school records of sacks, but the college record is held by Pat Swilling, who played for Georgia Tech and had seven sacks against North Carolina State in 1985. The NFL record is held by the late Derrick Thomas, who played for the Kansas City Chiefs and had seven sacks against the Seattle Seahawks in 1990.
Simmons started as a sophomore, but Bowman said he really put in some time in the offseason to improve for his junior season.
“London dedicated himself in the weight room this offseason and throughout our in season lifting,” Bowman said. “He challenged his workout group to do extra reps and to have the most gains. London’s hard work definitely paid off this season. He was virtually unblockable all season long. London spend most of the season being doubled teamed by offensive lineman. He loves the game and spends a lot of time in film. London has a desire to grow himself into the best version of himself. I would say having six sacks in the state championship game is the culmination of the amount of work London has put in starting last January. I am so proud of him and how he plays the game.”
Simmons finished with 78 tackles, 18 for loss, 15 sacks, 3 quarterback hurries, 1 fumble recovery and 1 caused fumble this season for 14-0 Hartfield.
He had 84 tackles, 22 for loss, and 7.5 sacks last season as a sophomore. Simmons played on the junior high team as a freshman and moved up after the junior high season over and played some on the high school team.
Hartfield defensive coordinator Jeff McFerran had never seen a performance like Simmons had Saturday.
“In my 38 years of coaching, I’ve never heard of an individual player making six sacks in a single game, especially in a state championship game,” said McFerran, who has been at Hartfield eight seasons, the last four as defensive coordinator.
Simmons has yet to receive any college offers.
Said Bowman: “We are baffled.”
Simmons, whose twitter is @londonsimmons51, will be playing in the MAIS Futures Game Nov. 30 at Madison-Ridgeland Academy.
Mississippi Scoreboard selects a football player from Hinds, Madison, or Rankin counties each week. Coaches can nominate a player by text or call to Robert Wilson at 601.506.2276.
2023 POW winners:
Week One: John White, MRA
Week Two: Jacob Clearman, Tri-County Academy
Week Three: Ryan McCall, Madison Central
Week Four: Brayden Bullock, Central Hinds Academy
Week Five: Nate Blount, Brandon
Week Six: John White, MRA
Week Seven: Tyler Arrington, Wingfield
Week Eight: Damarion Snow, Pelahatchie
Week Nine: Ny Johnson, Germantown
Week 10: Baker Craig, Park Place Christian Academy
Week 11: Jay McQueen, Brandon
Week 12: Jaeden Calender, Brandon
Week 13: Kayvion Freeman, Pearl
Week 14: RJ Hall, Terry
