Morgan Park’s Reggie Gray Jr. appreciates and wants to live up to the example set by his father.
Reggie Gray Sr. was an all-state receiver, defensive back and kick returner for the Mustangs who went on to play at Western Illinois and in the Arena Football League.
At the same time, though, the younger Gray has grown a bit tired of hearing about his dad’s legendary status at his high school.
“It’s definitely a bittersweet deal because I don’t like being compared to my pops,” Gray said. “It’s motivation to be better. To make my own mark. That’s kind of why I wish he would have named me something else besides Reggie Jr.
“But at the same time, I’m wearing the same jersey he wore and I’m going to dominate just like him.”
Gray is certainly putting his own stamp on Morgan Park football. The senior running back continued his strong season with two touchdown runs Saturday, but the Mustangs let a 15-point lead slip away in a 29-22 Public League Metro loss to Kenwood at Gately Stadium in Chicago.
Gray ran 16 times for 59 yards, including TDs of 1 and 3 yards. Morgan Park (5-3, 5-1), however, lost a conference game for the first time since 2022, snapping a streak of 22 straight wins against Public League opponents.
“This is the time we’re going to see how mentally tough our guys are and how together they are as a team,” Morgan Park coach Chris James said. “They beat you and you’re supposed to be the best team in the Public League.
“That’s something we pride ourselves on, but they beat us, so they’re the best team in the Public League.”
Ronald Smith Jr. completed 13 of 20 passes for 224 yards for the Mustangs. while Illinois recruit Nasir Rankin made five catches for 105 yards. Travezz Jones added five catches for 78 yards, William Smith Jr. contributed a 7-yard TD run and Leonard Gipson had an interception.
Senior quarterback Kenyonte Louis ran for two TDs to lead Kenwood (7-1, 6-0) and also threw the game-winning 19-yard TD pass to Kingston Watson with 21 seconds left to play.
Gray knows his next job is to help rally his team after the heartbreaking defeat.
“I’m a captain, so I’ve got to keep everybody on track,” Gray said. “This loss could break or make us. As players, we’ve got to keep close, stay together and come back stronger.”
Gray powered his way to two TD runs in the first half as the Mustangs built a 22-7 lead.
As for the history associated with Gray’s name, James learned about Reggie Jr.’s desire to carve out his own path early in his time at Morgan Park, when James was assigning jerseys.
“I tried to give him his dad’s number, 20, and he was like, ‘Any number but that number,’” James said. “He understands it and has his own standards and expectations that were set by his dad.
“It says a lot for him to want to be better than his dad when we all know what his dad was.”
Gray, who has been a four-year varsity member, was primarily a defensive player early in his high school career and shared time last season at running back.
“I’ve played running back, linebacker, nickel throughout all four years of school,” Gray said. “I’m an athlete, so they move me around anywhere. I love running back, though.
“I like having the ball in my hands. I feel like I’m a game changer.”
On a team with Rankin and other playmakers in the passing game, Gray realizes he’s not the first name on opponents’ scouting reports.
But he’s confident they’ll know his name by the end of the game.
“People are a little surprised when they see me going off for big gains or touchdowns,” he said. “But I’m going to get mine all the time.”
