East St. Louis Senior High School head football coach Darren Sunkett has always wanted to play the best non- conference competition that he could fine.
As he enters his 11th season at East Side, Sunkett has found a two headed monster of sorts in 2012.
The talented Flyers take the greatest high school show on turf on the road against one of the state of Missouri’s elite football powers in Kansas City Rockhurst on Friday night at 7 p.m.
The following week, the Flyers will play nationally ranked Memphis Whitehaven in the City of Champions Classic Labor Day weekend on Sunday, Sept. 3 at Jordan Stadium in East St. Louis.
The Flyers again will be one if the favorites to win the Illinois Class 7-A state championship. They suffered a heartbreaking 10-7 lost to Dupage county rival Wheaton Warrenville South in last year’s state quarterfinals in East St. Louis. East St. Louis, ranked #15 nationally in all time high school wins, returns eight starters on offense, and eight starters on defense.
Lost to graduation is former quarterback Lamontiez Ivy. Ivy who threw for 1,836 yards 15 TDs. He will be replaced by two-sport star Demus Jones. Jones (6’3 185) is among the best signal callers in the state. While he didn’t play much behind the sensational Ivy, many Flyers’ fans have anticipated his arrival as the starting signal caller and leader.
He will be protected up front by Demarvious Loving (6’3 240) and Luther Wright (6’4 270). Jones will have plenty of targets to throw to in (6’3 200) senior wide receiver Daniel Williams , and junior Tamaji Jackson. Both can stretch the field vertically and go across the middle for the tough catches.
But what will make it all happen for this years flyers will be running back Natereance Strong. The 6′ 200 pound sophomore rushed for 780 yards with 7TDs while missing four games due to an injury. For his freshman accomplishments, Strong was named to the MaxPrep Freshman All- American Team.
On defense, the Flyers were one of the best defensive units in the metro east in 2011. And 2012 shouldn’t be no exception. Captain Markese Jackson (6’1” 196) leads a stindy defense at linebacker along with junior Kyron Watson. Julius Jackson (6’3” 265) achors the defensive front, with sensational sophomore Terry Beckner (6’3 265) who also played varsity basketball last season as a freshman. The secondary will be solid led by Wilbert Jones who led the team in interceptions a year ago as a sophomore.
Going to to Rockhurst will be a big test for the Flyers. But this test is more than just about football. It gives our young men an opportunity to travel together, and bond as a unit of young men, as champions do and need during a long season.
Good luck coach Sunkett his staff, and the boys.
From the East Side will see you tomorrow night!
Scott’s notes:
Good luck to my friend and former boss at Cahokia, head football coach Antwyne Golliday. Golliday and his Comanches open there season with heavy hearts tommorrow night in O’fallon against the Panthers.
But those of us who have coached, or the many who have played for Coach knows it won’t be the same opening night for him.
You see, Antwyne’s mom, along with his wife would sometimes beat the team to the stadium to greet them and wish them luck with her blue and white, sweatshirts or t-shirts on.. Coach’s mom passed away a couple of weeks ago due too a heart-attack……
Coach stood by my side when I coached for him when my mother was ill a few years ago. Coach, my heart will be with you as well every Friday night.
Good luck coach Golliday.
