Triple-header in ESL on Sunday
The East St. Louis Flyers opened the 2010 football season in Indianapolis at Warren Central High, the home of former NFL quarterback Jeff George.
Coach Darren Sunkett and his young men showed why they belong on prep football’s national stage, as they soundly defeated the Indiana version of DeSmet (only they aren’t scared to play), Indianapolis Cathedral, 31-22 in front of 9,000 fans on a hot afternoon in the Hoosier State.
Cathedral, the 2008 Indiana Class 4-A state champion, had nothing but praise for the Flyers. “We aren’t going to see anybody as good as these guys the rest of the year,” Indianapolis Cathedral head coach Rick Streiff said of the Flyers. “We can’t simulate speed like that in practice; they are a heck of a football program.”
The Flyers unleashed their newest weapon in All-State running back Anthony Pierson. The senior transfer from Gateway Tech scored on an 85-yard touchdown run on the second play of the game, only to have it called back because of a penalty.
No problem. Pierson still finished with 210 yards on 16 attempts and two touchdown runs of 84 and 48 yards, respectively, as the Flyers’ offense put up 572 total yards in the rout, despite having 146 yards of penalties. In addition, Jeremy Nicholson and Isaac Doss added touchdown runs of 80 and 59 yards while both playing stellar defense.
Quarterback Lamontiez Ivy completed six of his 12 passes for 154 yards and a TD for East St. Louis in his first start as a Flyer. All-State receiver and University of Arkansas recruit Keonte Minor had three catches for 90 yards. He also delivered some crushing downfield blocks to spring Pierson on several plays.
Defensively, the Flyers were good when they needed to be in holding the high-powered Irish to 319 yards of total offense. Dominic Combs had 10 solo tackles while All-State defensive end Charles Tigue Jr. had six tackles and three sacks.
It was an impressive performance against a quality ball-club in Indiana Cathedral. It’s just a shame the Flyers have to travel so far every year to play good teams, while good programs in the area (except CBC) want no part of them.
As much as they like to talk out at Hazelwood Central, I’m surprise they haven’t asked for a taste of the East Side.
Triple bill in ESL
Week 2 of the 2010 season is here now, and this week’s opponent once again is one of the nation’s finest in Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the alma mater home of future NFL Hall of Famer Isaac Bruce. The state of Florida is arguably the best in the country when it comes to producing football talent.
Dillard is one of five other teams competing in the inaugural Dave Sinclair Memorial East St. Louis City of Champions Classic at Clyde C. Jordan Memorial Stadium on the campus of East St. Louis Senior High School. The games will be played on Sunday.
Here’s a brief look at the triple-header:
GAME # 1: Imagine Academy (St. Louis) vs. Chicago Simien High School 1 p.m.
Chicago Simien will boast as many athletes on the field as anybody playing Sunday. Last week they beat national and state power Chicago Mt. Carmel in the season opener. Enough said!
Game #2: Jefferson City Jays vs. Chicago St. Rita 4 p.m.
It won’t get any better than this as the Jefferson City Jays make the trek to Jordan Stadium for the very first time. The Jays have come to the “618” on another occasion during the ‘90s against Cahokia.
As for St. Rita, the Mustangs are no strangers to the “618” as they played here in 2008 in a state playoff classic against the Flyers. East Side rallied from a 28-7 deficit to win 35-28 against the Chicago Catholic League powerhouse.
Game three will feature the Flyers against Fort Lauderdale Dillard at 7 p.m.
