The East St. Louis Flyers have made themselves right at home in the Illinois Class 6A state championship game in recent years. Now, they’re taking their championship ambitions up a notch.
After three state championships and three state runner-up finishes in the last six seasons at Class 6A, the Flyers have moved up to the Class 7A level for this year’s playoffs.
East Side will begin its quest for a Class 7A state title this weekend when it hosts Burbank Reavis in the first round of the state playoffs. The Flyers had a first-round bye after an 8-1 regular season and the Southwestern Conference championship. The Flyers last won a Class 7A championship ten years ago.
The Flyers have put together another strong season, which included victories over nationally ranked teams in Chicago Mount Carmel and Gainesville, Georgia.
Leading the offensive attack is senior quarterback Reece Shanklin. The SEMO recruit has completed 125 of his 193 passes for 1,996 yards and 24 touchdowns. He has also scored three rushing touchdowns.
Senior running back Ronnie Gomiller has been one of the best players in the area this season. A standout wide receiver, Gomiller stepped into the running back role when standout Myson Johnson-Cook was injured in the opening game of the season.
Gomiller has rushed for 784 yards and scored 13 touchdowns. He also has 26 receptions for 467 yards and five touchdowns. The Flyers’ leading receiver is senior Laron Baker Jr., who has 27 receptions for 462 yards and seven touchdowns.
East St. Louis has many standouts on defense, including senior Florida recruit Raheem Floyd. He has 41 solo tackles and a team-high four interceptions.