From The East Side:
By Maurice Scott Jr.
The undefeated Edwardsville Tigers and East St. Louis Flyers battle again tomorrow night at the Edwardsville Sports Complex on the campus of Edwardsville High School. Kick-off is set for 7:00p.m. Both teams are in quadrant “D” in Class 7-A.
This time however, the stakes are a bit higher as the winner will advance into the quarterfinal round of the Illinois Class 7A State Championship series against the Darien Hinsdale South/ Bradley- Bourbonnais winner. The state champion will be crowned on Thanksgiving weekend on the campus of University of Illinois.
Before either one of these Southwestern Conference powers even think about making reservations for turkey and dressing in Champaign, the Tigers and Flyers have round two of the 2005 season to settle. The Tigers (10-0) beat the Flyer’s (7-3) 41-24 on September 30th, when Edwardsville senior tailback E.J. Jones blitzed the Flyers defense for 267yds. and- three touchdaowns.
This time however, the Flyers will have to rely on their best weapon in tailback Jaious Singleton. Singleton has set records for the most consecutive 100-yard. Rushing games, (24) and is among the all-time leaders in rushing in Metro- East history. Singleton was a load last Friday night against the Alton Redbirds rushing for 237 yards on 23 carries in the Flyers’ 18- 10 opening round victory.
Edwardsville head coach Tim Dougherty has fared well of late in containing Flyers’ tailbacks. However, Dougherty understands that his defense will have to contain not only Singleton, but the best 1-2 pass/catch combination in the Metro- East in junior quarterback Derrick Johnson, and junior wide-out Jerrell McDaniel.
McDaniel had touchdown catches of 42 and 85 yards, respectively on Friday night to put away the Redbirds. His buddy Johnson has passed for xx yards this season. He is also among the leaders in the area in passing yardage and touchdown passes. Darren Sunkett’s Flyers are currently the fourth highest scoring team in the state averaging 39 points per game.
On defense, new defenseive coordinator James Harris has done an outstanding job. The Flyers’ defense had problems early in the season, but they have shut down the potent offense attacks of Belleville East and Alton the last two weeks. In addition, the defense has held their opponents scoreless the last three weeks in the second half.
Edwardsville will be paced by Jones and the steady Joe Allaria at quarterback. Last week against O’Fallon, Allaria was 15 of 20 passing for 205 yards passing for a touchdown, and running for another. In addition to Jones, Allaria also depends on Conner McMakin, and speedy Vernon Gee, both capable of scoring anytime they touch the football.
On defense, defensive end Nick Plato and defensive back Daryl Hendrix Jr. are both considered Div. 1 prospects. The tigers also have a big weapon on special teams in punter Conner McMakin, who in the previous meeting changed the whole completion of the game pinning the Flyers on their own 1-yard. line in the third quarter. After a punt from their own end-zone, Edwardsville put 14 unanswered points on East St. Louis to secure the win.
‘That punt really put us in a hole that first game,” Sunkett said. “But that wasn’t the ballgame, ‘we didn’t execute the way I thought we should have in the environment. But we will be ready tomorrow night. We know them, and they know us, there’s a-lot on the line, great programs, and great traditions at both schools. We are just glad to have another opportunity to play them.”
Speaking of tradition, the Flyers will enter Friday night’s match-ups as the winningest football program in the state of Illinois High School history surpassing the 700-win total against Belleville East two weeks ago. The East St. Louis Flyers football program has an overall record of 701- 145- 45 all-time, currently ranking them 13th among high- school programs nationally.
The Flyers will have a tough task in front of them in a hostile environment in Edwardsville, but Darren Sunkett and his staff have some tough young men, especially named Singleton, McDaniel, and Johnson on there side. The Tigers have E.J. Jones, Plato, Hendrix, McMakin, and Allaria on there side. I’m just glad I have a seat in the press box to enjoy it!
Scott’s Pick: Flyers 24- Edwardsville 22