The 2011
East St. Louis Senior High Flyers football team will make its debut
this weekend after last year’s tumultuous events.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: black;”>East Side “font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: black;”>saw its 10- 0 season and a second round playoff berth reduced to 4-6, after the IHSA ruled that a player was ineligible because of a residential issue.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: black;”>Some close to the situation felt it was much more than an residential issue. Simply, if that was the case, the whole Southwestern Conference would have forfeited games.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: black;”>It was indeed a violation, but also a penalty to a lot of innocent people by a few dumb individuals who gave some bad advice to a few. In addition, kids such as Lamontiez Ivy and Anthony Pierson were dragged in the mud by the press. Many of these people have never attended a Flyers’ game, and would never come to East St. Louis to see one of our games.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: black;”>Those of you who have traveled to see one of the most successful high school football programs in the country over the years (712-171 record) are treated to a great experience. “font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>
“color: black;”>People don’t see fights or robberies. When you return to your car, it’s not broken into.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: black;”>Those were some of the crazy things I heard from some people last year during the rampage on the program in both print and electronic media.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: black;”>And not once, not once, did anyone retract or apologize to Ivy, nor Pierson, who later was ruled eligible without any residential issues whatsoever!
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: black;”>You made even more of a fool of yourself by not recognizing their efforts in the field and not naming them to all-conference teams, nor were they given any Player of the Year considerations. Both had numbers far better than some of the individuals that were considered.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: black;”>If I were coach Darren Sunkett, I wouldn’t talk to some of you either this year! Especially some of you who do your little radio shows but never came over to Jordan Stadium in East St. Louis.
“color: black;”>It’s one of the best in the area!
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: black;”>A new season and day has come to our great city, and in two weeks, the Flyers will open the Clyde C. Jordan Memorial Stadium for business, and Flyers’ fans welcome all of you.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: black;”>But, first things first, as Darren Sunkett takes what I’m calling “The Big Payback Tour” on the national stage in Suwanee, Ga. to take on the Bulldogs of North Gwinnett High School. Kick-off is set at about 8 p.m. on Saturday night. The game is a part of the Progressive Insurance Classic.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: black;”>The Bulldogs entered the season as the No. 8- ranked team in Georgia’s Class AAAAA rankings. They lost to No. 6 McEachern High 26- 17 in the Corky Kell Classic in the Georgia Dome last Saturday.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: black;”>The Flyers have a ton of talent again, but lost some key offensive lineman to graduation. Jeremy Nichols will be one of the key weapons, but the program will be put on the shoulders of the most talented quarterback in the area in Lamontiez Ivy.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: black;”>Last year the 6’3”, 220 lb. Ivy threw for 1,770 yards and 18 touchdowns. In addition, he had eight rushing touchdowns. Ivy is being recruited from schools all over the country with offers from Kansas and Minnesota, among others on the table.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: black;”>I’m sure Darren Sunkett will give Ivy an opportunity to air it out on Saturday night, as McEachern lit-up the Bulldogs secondary last week for 337 yards passing.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: black;”>It should be another great season of high school football on the East Side, and I’ll be following the Flyers all the way to state this year.
