While the majority of other high school football teams are getting ready for winter sports, the East St. Louis Flyers will be preparing for another state championship game.
Darren Sunkett’s Flyers will take on Geneva High for the Illinois Class 6A state championship game on Saturday afternoon at Illinois State University in Normal. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. East St. Louis will be seeking its 11th state championship in the program’s storied history. One of those state championships came against Geneva in 2008.
East St. Louis defeated Oak Lawn Richards 48-0 in the state semifinals last Saturday while Geneva upset defending state champion Cary Grove 28-26 in the other state semifinal contest.
This will be East St. Louis’ fifth consecutive state championship appearance and 16th overall.
The ALL-TIMe winningest football program in the state of Illinois put on another show in front of an estimated 4,000 fans at historic Clyde C. Jordan Memorial Stadium, a.k.a. “The House of Pain” in dismantling Oak Lawn Richards in the semifinals.
Senior running back and Kent State commit TaRyan Martin rushed for 149 yards on 10 carries and scored two touchdowns. He also had 44 yards receiving another touchdown in his final home game as a Flyer. Quarterback Kendrick Lyons was steady once again as he passed for 179 yards and two touchdowns.
While the offense was clicking on all cylinders on Saturday, it was the Flyers defense that showed up and showed out once again on Saturday with another shutout. The Flyers defense have pitched four shutouts during their 2024 playoff run. They have outscored their opposition 222-14 with each game ending in a running clock in the fourth quarter.
Outside linebacker DeAndre McClendon was a one-man wrecking crew with 11 tackles and four sacks against Oak Lawn Armon Gilliam Jr., Leon Howard Jr. and Phillip White were also instrumental in the Flyers’ stellar defensive performance. The secondary is led by Mizzou recruit Charles Bass Jr., Quinton Kirby and Quincy Minor.
Hall of Fame coach Darren Sunkett will be trying to win his fifth state championship while at the helm at East St. Louis Senior High. A large contingent of Flyers fans are planning to make the trek to Illinois State, which is my alma mater. Hopefully, another victory parade will be coming down State Street next week.
Scott’s Notes: Congratulations to Belleville Althoff, who will be making another appearance in the Class 1A state championship game this Friday against Lena-Winslow at 10 a.m. The Crusaders are led by Boston College recruit Charles Coldon and Oregon recruit Dierre Hill Jr. Coldon is the brother of former Althoff great and current Minnesota Vikings cornerback Charles “C.J.” Coldon.
Hey Maurice it’s been a while this coach Fisher.Remember the black Party Bus and the “Corn”. What happened to the live broadcast against Richard’s .
Coach, the camera was working on Friday when we did a dry run. It was be broadcast this week