East St. Louis Senior High’s football team will have a target on their backs every weekend. Expectations are high for a team returning almost the entire unit that finished 11-2 and reached the IHSA Class 7 A semifinals before losing to Wheaton Warrenville South 26 -0.
Two of the Flyers’ top players decided early to get the recruiting part over with as Tommie Hopkins, and Rivals.com top 100 recruit Terry Hawthorne both gave verbal commitments to attend the University of Illinois next spring.
Hopkins, who was a vital part of the Flyers state-championship track & field team this year is a tough competitor who will anchor the Flyers’ defensive secondary. In addition to his track and football ability, he’s also a good student.
“I want to major in engineering” said the soft spoken senior to be. “The Illinois campus was a great fit for me, and I did my homework regarding the engineering department and it is one of the best in the country”.
Terry Hawthorne, who made the All-Tournament team at the Nike 7- on 7 Passing Camp two weeks ago, is rated one of the top 100 players in the country. The 6’2 wide receiver/safety is one of the most versatile athletes in the metro-east. He has the ability to change the scope of a game on both side of the football. As a junior, Hawthorne caught 45 passes for 1.025 yards and 10 touchdowns in the Flyers’ explosive offensive attack.
“I had a great visit and just decided it was a good fit for me,” Hawthorne said. “I like the coaches….and the campus. I wanted to focus on this season and my schoolwork and have fun this year. Hawthorne also is an excellent student.
University of Illinois football coaches could not comment on the verbal commitments which are non-binding. But in talking to some football people around Illinois, the Illinois program is glad to nab both so soon.
Scott’s Notes:
One of St. Clair County’s finest Bailiff’s and local youth supporter Dwayne Sarget again will be getting the ORANGE “CRUSH” BUS in motion this year. The luxury chartered Orange “Crush” Bus will make its first run of the year as the Flyer’s will travel to Canton, Ohio, to play in the Kirk Kirbstriet Challenge on Sunday August 31st, 2008 @ 3:00 p.m. against Wayne High School from Ohio.
The Orange Crush Bus will depart East St. Louis Sr. High at 6:30A.M. on Saturday, August 30. Hotel accommodations and other discounts have been arranged for those who want to roll with the Orange “CRUSH” Bus. For more information regarding the trip to Ohio to root for the Flyers, here’s your contact information: Dwayne Sergeant @ (618) 581-1073 or (618) 398-5717. Or you can e-mail yours truly at scott.maurice@att.net.
Aja Junior, the daughter of Jackie Junior and former St. Louis Football Cardinals linebacker E.J. Junior is a student at the University of Missouri and is enrolled in the School of Journalism. Aja has been in Beijing, China the last three weeks working for the Olympic Federation as part of the School of Journalism curriculum. She will put in volunteer work with the photographer pits at the Summer Olympic Games.
Aja, who’s a junior at Mizzou, is majoring in communications. She was my Teen President of my KEYSTONE Club while I was the Teen Advocate at the Jackie Joyner – Kersee Center. She is a talented young lady who will be a great professional in whatever she chooses in the future. Way to go Aja!
TL3 (Tommie Liddell III) had a great cap to this summer during the Bonner League this summer. TL3 is coming of a little surgery to clean up some tissue on his ankle. He, along with Kevin Lisch should form one of the best backcourts in the country in 08, especially if freshman point guard Kwamain Mitchell plays as good as he has looked during summer workouts. If that happens, TL3 and Lisch will not be needed to handle the ball so much for “Slick Rick” Majerus in 08 -09 season.
Hats off to the St. Louis Eagles Basketball Club for another great summer season. The Eagles are a true community organization that does a lot for families and youths on BOTH side s of the river with camps, appearances, and service learning projects. Now, if they just would justget rid of Eric! Just kidding Eric.
