I had a big smile on my face. As I was riding down State Street in East Boogie and through the metro east, I noticed that there were no lights on at the football stadiums around the Southwestern Conference.
It was complete darkness at Edwardsville, Belleville West, Belleville East. Only one place was still open for business. That would be Clyde C. Jordan Stadium in East St. Louis. Of all of the teams in the metro east that qualified for the Illinois state playoffs, only one remains standing after two weeks. Yes, that would be your East St. Louis Flyers.
I called my friend O. C. Hughes Jr. and asked him to tell all my friends at church especially my friend Mr. Curry, and the “street patrol” that my guy Darren Sunkett and his boys still have the lights on in mid-November.
The Flyers blasted Normal Community 67-28 in the second round of the IHSA Class 6A playoffs last Saturday.
Running backs Nate Strong and Marvin “Beast Mode” Young combined for 404 of the team’s 466 yards on the ground for the afternoon. Strong had 11 carries for 240 yards and four touchdowns while Young had 24 carries for 164 yards and two TDs. All State wide-out Jeff Thomas had four receptions for 108 yards and a touchdown.  In addition, he had eight tackles on defense.
This weekend, the Flyers return to Richard Pryor’s hometown of Peoria to take on the 11-0 Irish of Peoria Notre Dame in the state quarterfinals. Kick-off is set for 1 p.m.
It marks the Flyers’ second trip to Peoria in the postseason. Two weeks ago, East Side  put a thumping on Peoria Richwoods 40-19 in the opening round of the playoffs. Next up is a quarter-final date with the other big shot independent school in town in Peoria Notre Dame.
The Irish are 18-3 in there last two seasons. They are fresh off a 41-0 win over Chatham Glenwood last Saturday. The Irish are led by Luke Andy, and David Shadid.
Andy has rushed for 1,013 yards in only seven games. He missed five games due to an injured finger. Against Glenwood, he rushed for 263 yards and three TDs. Wide-out David Shadid had a 54-yard touchdown reception from quarterback. Demarco Washington.
An independent powerhouse, Notre Dame will join the new Western Big 12 conference along with Peoria Richwoods, Peoria High, along with members of the Western Big 6, among others.
Notre Dame scored more than 60 points on three occasions, with the low point coming last week against Glenwood. In addition, the Irish blew out Class 5A state quarterfinalist Peoria High 60-26 back in week four.
But have the Knights seen anything like what they are about to face on Saturday? The Flyers and the #1 ranked player in Terry Beckner Jr. have come back to town with their swagger back. After an 0-3 start, the Flyers have won seven of their last eight. They are healthy and battle-tested. The running game has produced more than 800 yards in the past two weeks.
East St. Louis looks awful scary headed into the stretch run. The Flyers already know they can throw the ball with sophomore quarterback Reyondus Estes, and receivers Jeff Thomas and 6″4 Karon Randolph.
This game will be won in the trenches, and again running the football up north. The All American Terry Beckner Jr. and his dogs keep blocking the way they have controlled things the last few weeks.
Peoria fans haven’t seen nothing yet.
My pick: Flyers advance 47-20.
