The East
St. Louis Flyers showed last Friday night what tradition and being
involved in big-time games are all about, when they defeated a
tough O’Fallon team 23-22 in a classic at Clyde C. Jordan Memorial
Stadium.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: black;”>More than 3,000 fans were on hand to see the Flyers rally from a 22-8 deficit in the fourth quarter to knock the Panthers from the ranks of the unbeaten.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: black;”>Senior quarterback Lamonteiz Ivy tied the game with 46 seconds remaining on a 1-yard plunge. The Flyers were whistled for a celebration penalty after the touchdown, but senior Jeremy Nicholson nailed a 35-yard extra point to give East Side the dramatic victory.”
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: black;”>”It was Jeremy’s call all the way,” said East Side coach Darren Sunkett. “He said, ‘Coach, no problem,’ and he kicked it with room to spare.”
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: black;”>It was Nicholson’s first action since the first game of the season when he was injured in East Side’s lost to North Gwinett (GA) and the senior had a spectacular return on both sides of the ball Friday night.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: black;”>“That’s a great football team (O’Fallon); they don’t have anything to hang their heads about tonight. They played a heckuva game,” Sunkett said. “Our guys played their hearts out as well and made some big plays when we needed them to. This is what our conference is all about every week. You have to be ready to play.”
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: black;”>And for those of you who were rooting for the orange and blue until they were down 22-8 with 7 minutes and 48 seconds remaining in the game, I personally want to tell you really showed your true colors by walking out on the boys with that much time left!
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: black;”>But those who stayed were treated to one of the best games by both teams since the St. Rita game in 2008 when the Flyers rallied from a 28-7 deficit in the second half to win a big state playoff game.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: black;”>Ivy hooked up with Tamaji Jackson for a tuchdown pass with 4:46 remainng in the fourth quarter. And that led to a two-point conversion to Jackson well to set up the comeback win for the Flyers.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: black;”>The Gatorade must have been awfully good Friday night as the Flyers’ defense frustrated quarterback Todd Porter, and limited highly touted running back Ejay Johnson to only one score. They set the tone on defense all night with some bone-jarring hits in the House Of Pain.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: black;”> After the defense held the Panthers, Daniel Williams set the stage for the winning score when he returned O’Fallon punter Austin Barnes’ punt 47 yards to the Panthers’ 18-yard line.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: black;”>Five plays later, Ivy scored, and Nicholson kicked the long extra point to seal the victory.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: black;”>East Side “font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: black;”>’s comeback also sent a message to those knucklehead haters who love to kick the kids and their coach when they are down. Whatever the sport in East St. Louis, there are just miserable hateful people.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: black;”>What we also learned last Friday is that the road to the Southwestern Conference football championship still comes through East St. Louis!
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: black;”>Flyers 23 – Panthers 22
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: black;”>Right now, the Belleville East Lancers are in the driver’s seat with a match-up with the Panthers the last game of the season prior to the playoffs.
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana; color: black;”>OOOWEEEE!!!!!!! This year’s play-offs should be special, and I can’t wait.
