Football fans in Central Illinois got a glimpse of the state’s No. 6-ranked East St. Louis Flyers in Normal last Saturday when East Side knocked off Norman West 33-6 in the first round of the IHSA Class 6A playoffs.
This Saturday, those same fans will have to make the 2 1/2 hour drive to the brand-new high school campus at East St. Louis Senior High School and Clyde C. Jordan Stadium. This time, it will be Normal Community High taking on the Flyers at the House of Pain. Kickoff is at 1 p.m.
The champions of the Big 12 Conference, Normal Community (9-1) beat conference rival Bloomington High 30-0 in their opening round game. The Ironmen’s only loss came in Week 3 to Niles Notre Dame, 21-7. In their nine victories, the Ironmen have scored at least 30 points.
Meanwhile, everything is still rolling and on schedule for coach Darren Sunkett’s Flyers. Sunkett has taken the “one game at a time approach” after the Flyers’ Week 4 loss to O’Fallon dropped them to 1-3. Since then, the Flyers have been riding a six-game game winning streak heading into Saturday’s game.
University of Missouri recruit Gregory Taylor put on a show last Saturday in Normal. Saturday. Taylor rushed for 327 yards and two touchdowns. He also returned and returned an interception 37 yards for a touchdown.
Mizzou head coach Gary Pinkel has to be tickled as well. His future defensive end also has recorded 76 tackles, two sacks, and two interceptions this year. Taylor’s play is reminding me of former Flyers’ great Terry “Black Kat” Hawthorne during the 2008 state championship run.
Also on Saturday, Marvin Young shined at tailback. The junior rushed for 124 yards behind the Flyers’ offensive line. Young is spelling Taylor as former starting tailback Natereance Strong continues to be sidelined, nursing a leg injury he received against Lombard Montini.
The defense is led by Terry Beckner Jr. (No. 2-rated DE on rivals.com), who had nine tackles and six assists against Normal West. Kyron Watson (Kansas) had 11 tackles and six assists, Kevion Gilmore had nine tackles, while Taylor had nine tackles. All were stellar last week and will have to duplicate that effort against the no-huddle attack of the No. 2 seed Normal Community. Kenny Knight and Leon Hyde also have been great on defense for East St. Louis.
The kicking game also has been great during the winning streak. Freshman kicker Julio Chavez kicked eight extra points against Belleville West, with 3 PAT on Saturday. Who says Darren Sunkett can’t coach kickers?
Those of you who jumped off the team’s bandwagon a couple of months ago, you can come get your seat back and support the team this Saturday at the House Of Pain.
