Rams step up
By Maurice Scott
For the St. Louis American
Without much fanfare, the St. Louis Rams have been GREAT in the community. And it is not just with ticket giveaways, game-day preparations and the answering of the phone at Rams Park.
For the last 10 years, Rams equipment manager Todd Hewitt and his staff have been life- savers. The Rams have provided badly needed used equipment to East St. Louis Sr. High, East St. Louis Lincoln Middle School, and Cahokia High School. In addition, the Rams have helped different organizations and non-profit groups raise awareness.
During the month of June, St. Louis Rams Entertainment Assistant & Cheerleader Coordinator Theresa Mancini and Keely Fimbres provided cheerleaders (Lacey & Erin) to help educate the public during the National HIV/AIDS Awareness month in East St. Louis.
The event was sponsored by East Side Health District & Writers Planners Inc., a non-profit organization that promotes HIV/AIDS awareness.
The two cheerleaders spent two hours on a very hot day signing autograph posters for over 100 East St. Louis residents.
Last week, Hewitt and the St. Louis Rams doctor Jim Anderson referred Cahokia High School Athletic Director Roscoe Dowell and head football coach Antwyne Golliday on help with a brace for a player. Again, they took the call and stepped up for the people in the community seeking their expertise.
The people in the communities of East St. Louis and Cahokia say thanks to the St. Louis Rams for their community involvement.
Scott’s notes
– Hats off to Mr. Miles Leisman & Ed Rust from BREG Brace Co. Miles & Ed fitted All-Metro running back Martavious Hines with a knee brace last week. Hines played for the first time this season after waiting for a brace from another company that was taking it’s time getting it to the school. Hines had nine carries Friday night in Cahokia 36- 3 win over Carbondale.
– Both Cahokia and East St. Louis posted impressive wins last weekend on a stormy night in the Metro East.
The Flyers overcame more than 100 yards of penalties to beat Alton 35-14 last Friday night.
Nick King rushed for a career high 214 yards on 32 carries to pace the Flyers rushing attack. King rushed for 164 yards in the second half as the top ranked team in the St. Louis American poll improved to 5-0 overall and 3-0 in the rugged Southwestern Conference.
The senior combination of Quarterback Derrick Johnson and two-way star wideout /defensive back Jerrell McDaniel continues to torch opposing defenses.
Johnson continues to prove he is one of the top signal callers in the Metro East, completing 40 of his 70 passes for 900 yards, 11 touchdowns with a QB rating of 135.3.
His favorite target, McDaniel, has 13 receptions for 400 yards and nine touchdowns while averaging a whopping 30 yards per catch.
It definitely hasn’t been a two-man show at East Side this season, with the return of Joseph McCaskill, who has sparked the Flyers kick-return game. He is averaging 20 yards per return with five kick-off or punt returns for touchdowns.
– Cahokia improved to 3-2 overall, 1-1 in the South Seven, as the Comanches whipped Carbondale last Friday 36-3. The win was sparked by the return of senior running back Martavious Hines who had been sidelined with a leg injury. Defensive back Emmitt Harriell returned a fumble 85 yards to highlight the win for Cahokia. In week two against Gary (Ind.) Roosevelt, Harriell returned an interception 102 yards for a touchdown, a school record.
Cahokia plays at home on Friday against Centralia before finishing with a grueling schedule that has Mt. Vernon and Althoff on the road, and finishing the season hosting the current Class 5 -A #1 ranked team Springfield Sacred Heart Griffin, the defending class 5A State Champions.
