It was announced last week that East St. Louis Senior High football coach Darren Sunkett and Director of Athletics Leonard Manley petitioned the Illinois High School Association to play in this year’s Class 7A playoffs. The Flyers competed in the Class 6A field the last two seasons.
Perhaps Coach Sunkett had a vision as Lombard Montini made the five-hour trip to East Boogie to defeat the Flyers 24-14 in the City of Champions Classic.
It was the third consecutive win for Montini over East St. Louis. Montini scored a 34-6 victory in 2013 at East St. Louis. Last year, the Flyers dropped a 46-32 decision at Montini.
With state powers Springfield Sacred Heart Griffin and Lombard Montini ranked No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in last week’s Associated Press 6A poll, former alumni and players are wondering if the coach is dodging them by trying to get put in Class 7A.
One thing is for sure: He hasn’t beaten Wheaton Warrenville South, one of the top teams in class 7A, either. So pick your poison, Coach Sunkett.
Saturday’s game in the “House of Pain” was not short of some great high school hitting by both teams.
Montini quarterback Justin Blake stole the show offensively for the Broncos. The junior quarterback was 16 for 23 for 136 yards passing. In addition, Blake had 21 carries for 98 yards on the ground. He was selected the Offensive Player of the Game for his efforts.
East St. Louis’ defense seemed to miss the presence of former defensive coordinator and coaching legend Marion Stallings this week.
Stallings, a former All American at Washington University, coached under Bob Shannon on six state title teams at East Side. In addition, he was the defensive coordinator in Sunkett’s only state championship team in 2008.
He left the team about a month prior to the season after learning that he was listed as a volunteer coach by Darren Sunkett for this season.
New defensive coordinator E.J. Jones’ unit didn’t do a bad job against Montini, but having an experienced coach like Marion Stallings alongside Jones would have been a huge help against the seasoned Montini staff on Saturday.
The Flyers’ offense had 292 yards on Saturday. Running back Perez Hall Jr. had 87 yards on 12 carries and a touchdown. Junior running back Kerrion “Blinky” Chairs had another strong outing with 68 yards on 14 carries.
Junior wide receiver Jeff Thomas was limited to only four receptions for 25 yards. His 37-yard rushing touchdown midway in the second quarter electrified the large crowd of both sides, and illustrated why everyone in the country is recruiting him.
Wide receivers Jermaine Grissom and Florida State recruit Karon Randolph were held to zero receptions. This had some alums and former players shaking their heads and confused about the lack of targets for the 6’4” Randolph and the number of touches Thomas received on Saturday.
Quarterback Reyondus Estes did not have his usual game as he committed five turnovers on two fumbles and three interceptions.
“Five turnovers in the game, and every one of them by your quarterback. You’re not going to beat a team of Montini’s caliber,” said Sunkett after the game. “Every time we get some positive things going, we turn the ball over.”
The buzz around Flyers nation and the “street patrol” is that Sunkett should’ve tipped his hat to the other team and their coaches instead of throwing his talented quarterback under the bus. The Montini coaches and players had a lot to do with those turnovers.
Besides, the talk around the “street patrol” has it that it wasn’t a good week for Sunkett either.
Scott’s notes
Former East Side All-American and University of Missouri defensive tackle Terry Beckner Jr. had four tackles, including one for a four-yard loss against Southeast Missouri State on Saturday.
Former St Louis Rams linebacker Mike “The Tackle” Jones recorded the first road win for Lincoln University since 2008, a 35-32 victory over Langston.
Coach Jones has four former Flyers who start on defense. Safety Marvin Holley, defensive tackle Eric Howard, outside linebacker Jeremy Rives, and defensive end Julius Jackson, who is a pro prospect.
Former two-sport Flyers’ star and Jackson State wide receiver Daniel Williams had seven receptions for 136 yards and a touchdown on Saturday against Middle Tennessee State.
In addition, former Flyers’ quarterback LaMontez Ivey was 22 for 39 for 264 yards and two touchdowns for Jackson State. Ivey hooked up with Williams for a 50-yard scoring bomb in the second quarter.
