For East St. Louis Senior High Head Football Coach Darren Sunkett, returning north for another semi-final match-up could be the sweetest yet.
In November 2007, Sunkett took a young team in the backyard of Wheaton Warrensville South, one of the top ranked teams in the country, and played them to a standstill for more than three quarters.
Unfortunately for that young Flyers’ team, it takes four quarters to win a state semifinal game in Chicago. Despite outplaying Wheaton Warrensville South for much of the game, the Flyers came out on the short end of a 26-0 score.
The Tigers went on to win its second consecutive Class 7A state title. The Flyers had to wait another year before they had their chance to take home the Class 7A championship trophy.
Saturday afternoon, Darren Sunkett and his boys might be playing James Brown’s “The Big Pay Back” all the way down Highway 55 South if his talented team can beat a tough Wheaton Warrenville South (11-1) in suburban Chicago.
Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. with the winner advancing to the state championship game on Saturday Nov. 28, on the campus of the University of Illinois Memorial Stadium.
It’s the third consecutive trip for East St. Louis to the Class 7A State semifinal round. They lost to the Tigers 26-0 in 2007, won the Class 7-A State Title in ‘08 and are back in stride again in ‘09.
“I’m looking forward to playing them again” Sunkett said. “We played them well for 3 1/2 quarters (in 2007). It left a sour feeling in my stomach. I’m looking forward to a great football game.”
I, too, had a sour feeling in my stomach after that loss, which is why I’m looking forward to seeing my Flyers get another shot at those Tigers.
But this time, me and the “Party Bus Man,” Mr. Fisher, are going to make sure we’re right with all that good food loaded up on the bus.
And Flyers’ fans are looking forward to the four-hour bus ride to see it.
All-State tailback Courtney Moulton is back healthy again, scoring three touchdowns in last week’s 27-14 victory over a tough O’Fallon Panther team in the quarterfinals.
Detchauz Wray was his brilliant self once again at quarterback last week in the victory against O’Fallon. The University of Nebraska recruit has been electric throughout the season in guiding the “Greatest Show On New Turf” back to the semi-finals.
But if the Flyers are to make it back to the title game in ‘09, the defense has to make it happen.
The defense was brilliant in the second half against the Panthers, keeping standout running back B.J. Hendrix out of the end-zone last week.
The defense will be tested big-time this week. Wheaton Warrenville South’s air attack is one of the best in the state.
They are led by quarterback Reilly O’Toole, who was 19- 36 for 231 yards, with two touchdowns (one rushing and one passing), in last week’s big victory against Chicago Catholic power St. Rita.
The Tigers’ rushing attack features Juian Banuelos, who had 13 carries for 42 yards and five receptions last week. In addition, the Tigers may have the best kicker/punter in the state in Nick Immekus, who hit a 47-yard field goal in the win against St. Rita.
Special teams will play a huge part in Satuday’s game. It was a muffed punt that led to the game-winning drive for the Tigers against the Mustangs.
You can bet it will be a rainy overcast day up north on Saturday afternoon. But I want all Flyers fans on both sides of the river to make the trip up and cheer on the boys in their orange and blue, of course!
Anyone having Thanksgiving dinner with me next weekend in Urbana?
My call: Flyers 25 Wheaton Warrenville South 21.