When the calendar turns towards the middle of August, the East St. Louis Flyers football fans start mapping out their schedules, knowing that a new season is approaching.
Known as the “City of Champions,” the talk in the barber shops, gas stations, rice houses and points beyond is all about the Flyers football team.
Last Saturday night, more than 800 blue and orange-clad Flyers fans made the trip to Normal, IL to watch the Flyers dominate two-time defending Illinois Class AA state champion Wilmette Loyola Academy 34-7. Darren Sunkett’s Flyers snapped a 22-game winning streak by the Ramblers, dating back to 2008 when they lost to Chicago Mt. Carmel 35-14. These two storied programs have combined to win 15 state championships.
Starting quarterback Kendrick, whose father, Kendall Lyons, was a former Flyers’ standout, was spectacular in his East Side debut. Lyons completed 23 of his 26 passes for 277 yards and four touchdowns. The running back trio of Larevious “Fresh” Woods, TaRyan Martin and super sophomore Amir Tillman gave fits to the Ramblers defense all night as well. In addition, all-purpose athlete Christopher Bennett, Jr. put on a spectacular show on offense as he led the Flyers in receptions.
However, it was a swarming Flyers’ defense that put on a show at Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University on Saturday night. The Flyers defense stymied Loyola Academy’s offense as they limited the Ramblers to 59 yards of total offense in the first half.
The Flyers’ defense was led by Keylan Lagrant, who had eight tackles, with four tackles for losses. Elmo Gilliam Jr. had nine total tackles and five for losses while Mizzou recruit Charles Bass was a standout in the secondary at cornerback. They also received great play from linebacker Keandre McClendon, Gregory Bell and Caleb Brown.
East St. Louis will put their No. 1 state ranking and national ranking on Saturday night when it will host the feature game at the 7th Annual Gateway Scholars Football Classic against Covington High, out of Newton, GA. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Clyde C. Jordan Stadium, a.k.a the “The House of Pain.”
Scott’s Notes:
*It was a pleasure to serve as public address announcer for Saturday night’s East St. Louis-Loyola Academy game at my alma mater, Illinois State University. It was a home game for us and Coach Sunkett and our principal Dr. Britney Green asked me to do it. I truly had an awesome night.
*The Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation has a major development going on right now, which will feature a new wrestling facility, a Tee Ball field along with new football and soccer fields.
*Mark your calendar for May 2, 2025. East St. Louis and Cahokia will play baseball once again at Grizzlies Stadium. It will be the Flyers’ first home game of the season. Last year’s game drew the largest high school crowd ever with more than 700 fans in attendance.
Great job, Scotty! I enjoyed reading your article and notes. Thank you for teaching, caring for, and coaching our youth.