Sean King, Special to STLhighschoolsports.com, East St. Louis' Dejerrian Miller (17) signals for a first down after catching a pass against Prairie Ridge's Drake Tomasiewicz (3) during a state 6A championship game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign on Saturday, Nov 26, 2022. Why the Celtics were great: They were the middle team of an undefeated three-peat with 1994 (5A) and 1996 (4A) that along with 1997's team won a large-school-record 50 straight games, the most in Illinois since the IHSA playoffs began in 1974. "We let them down last year." McVay is a 6-6, 330-pound senior committed to Alabama. Free shipping for many products! Battles 16-yard run on 3rd and 15 helped extend the drive. 1 was to prove it. On the next play Battle showcased his speed and footwork with a slick run that included making three defenders miss as he scored a 26-yard touchdown to make it 36-7 with 5:28 in the third. Named national champion by the National Sports News Service. Unbearable loss, Spirit animal? This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Philadelphia Flyers Ice Hockey - Pittsburg Penguins Ice Hockey - San Jose Sharks . "It felt amazing, just doing it for the city," Flyers senior Miles McVay said. Their closest wins were 27-7 over Thornridge and Joliet. Anti-aging serums in particular offer many benefits to aging and mature skin. Bond nailed his sixth extra point. The East St. Louis Flyers captured another football state championship in Illinois 6A on Saturday, with a dominating 57-7 win over Crystal Lake Prairie Ridge at the University of. Vasey returned, ran four plays and the Wolves turned the ball over on downs. East St. Louis (12-2)12. Junior quarterback Robert Battle anchored the attack, completing 10-of-12 passes for 207 yards and three touchdowns and was named the player of the game. 21 in USA Today's national rankings. You have permission to edit this article. Caleb Downs, Rueben Bain, Jackson Arnold, Roderick Robinson headline list of this fall's top performers. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. BG allowed only 489 rushing yards all season, an average of 35 per game, behind DT Jon Gustafsson (Illinois), a 6-foot-5, 260-pound monster from Sweden, and LB Jim Wagner (UCLA), a fellow All-Stater. McVay, senior left guard Paris Patterson, senior left tackle Brandon Henderson, senior center Tim Pitts and senior right guard Terran Scarborough were a force that no in-state opponent could match this season. Its the most points ever scored in a Class 6A title game, breaking the old record of 56 set by Naperville Central in 1999. The Flyers only two minutes to respond, as Martin scampered 34 yards for a touchdown. Illinois high school football state semifinal schedule and scores - live and final. 5 in USA Today's national rankings. Our team of experts has selected the best teeth whitening gel out of hundreds of options. That would be the last time Vasey and the Wolves would get near the end zone. RB Dave Matichak, QB Mark Morel and future Bears lineman Tom Thayer led the offense, and defensive standouts included DL John Piazza and DBs Paul Carberry and Tim Tyrell. One bobble set up an early field goal and the last lost fumble stopped the Vikings on the Glenbard West 13 with 38 seconds left in regulation. Georgia smashed TCU, 65-7, when all was said and done. Andy Bebar scored from the 7 with 6:27 left and Tom Seneker used Moore`s crunching block to score the go-ahead two-point conversion. 15 in USA Todays national rankings. One exception: The Pittsfield team from 1970 defeated its opponents 341-0. Sean King, Special to STLhighschoolsports.com, East St. Louis' Bryce Harrison (23) pressures Prairie Ridge's Tyler Vasey (7) during a state 6A championship game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign on Saturday, Nov 26, 2022. Why the Mustangs were great: They were led by two all-time greats, RB Billy Marek and OL Dennis Lick, and two other All-Staters, OL John Rock and DT Joe Norwick. They displayed offensive balance with 2,802 rushing yards and 2,799 passing yards, led by QB Emmett Clifford, RB Dara Laja and All-State brothers Sam and Jack Badovinac on the line. They didn't win by fewer than 20 points until the final, when they won their second straight 7A title and seventh overall. This week's top HS football teams in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. On December 16, 2016, the East St. Louis Flyers football team was welcomed to the United States District Courthouse in East St. Louis for a reception to recognize the team's outstanding 14-0 state championship season. Mac Saturn is appearing live in East St. Louis at Pop's Nightclub and Concert Venue. East St. Louis didnt lose to a team in Illinois this season. Why the Wildkits were great: Even without superb RB Howard Jones, who missed the season with a broken arm, the Wildkits were unbeatable. Allen Cunningham/For the Sun-Times East St. Louis players celebrate their victory over Prairie Ridge for the state 6A football championship at Memorial Stadium in Champaign on Saturday, Nov 26, 2022. East Side got aggressive on the first play as Battle found freshman receiver DJ Miller down the middle for a 41-yard pickup. EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. With a final score of 57-7 over Prairie Ridge, East St. Louis High School took home its 10th state football title. Playoff victory margin: 20.2 (Clemente 42-8, Palatine 13-0, Naperville Central 28-8, Downers Grove South 24-10, Marist 26-6). They beat Vocational 42-7 in the Prep Bowl behind 231 yards and four TDs from RB John Byrne in front of 81,270 fans at Soldier Field, capping a season in which they outscored opponents 348-60. LOUIS, Ill. - The East St. Louis community came together Wednesday for a celebration of champions. Sophomore Christopher Bennetts 12-yard rushing score made it 42-7 with 2:10 remaining in the period and Bonds PAT made the score 43-7. It was the second hard shot he took as a kick returner to go along with all the hits he absorbed as the Wolves primary ball carrier. They were named national champion by the National Sports News Service. The defense still felt bad from last year, Sunkett said. Pontoons, baseball tours, Anthony Bourdain Trail and a note on Indianas Chinook stocking survey. Stadler took over, whipsawing Deerfield downfield. We had all 11 guys keying on him.. Illinois high school football state championship schedule and scores - live and final. He also played free safety during the playoffs and had two interceptions in the semifinals and another in the final against Addison Trail while throwing four and three TDs in those games. ST. LOUIS -- The story of the East St. Louis High Flyers' surprising run to the 2016 state football title isn't just a local narrative. Vaseys 20-yard pass to freshman Luke Vandewell on 4th and 6 keyed the drive. Caravan win fourth state football championship in 11 seasons to finish No. Sean King, Special to STLhighschoolsports.com, East St. Louis' Robert Battle (9) carries the ball on a keeper against Prairie Ridge during a state 6A championship game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign on Saturday, Nov 26, 2022. We set this goal last year after losing the state championship, and the guys came out from January working their butts off, Flyers coach Darren Sunkett said. Future NFL All-Pro lineman Eric Steinbach played for the 1995-97 champs and set a state record with 26 sacks his final year. "The defense still felt bad from last year," said East St. Louis coach Darren Sunkett, whose team fell to Cary-Grove 37-36 in . Price passed for a third score five seconds before the end of the half. The Flyers then secured victory for all intents in purpose on the first drive of the second half as Battle connected with junior Jesse Watson on a 27-yard scoring strike and Bond added the point after for a 29-7 bulge with 8:43 left. The guys came out from January until June and worked their butts off, Sunkett said. We let them down last year.. 1 large school in the STLhighschoolsports.com rankings and the No. Battles nifty 26-yard touchdown run with 5:28 left in the third quarter, followed by Bonds PAT, swelled the lead to 36-7. The team averaged 312 rushing yards per game behind DiLullo, Dan Dinello and Tim Wengierski. Needless to say, the Flyers impressed Prairie Ridge coach Chris Schremp. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. Price ended with four TD passes. Playoff victory margin: 32.4 (Hirsch 61-8, Bremen 51-10, Providence 20-6, Rockford West 28-8, Peoria Central 40-6). Division I players included Byrne (Indiana), OL Larry Smith (Michigan State), OL Joe Kosiak (Nebraska, Drake) and All-State QB Jim Klutcharch (Purdue), and assistant George Perles was the head coach at Michigan State from 1983-94. They trailed only once all season, 7-0 against Stagg in an eventual 42-13 win. We had great leadership, and those guys knew what it took to get back here.. The defense was led by brother LBs Gus (eight sacks) and Jon (seven) Olofsson. The previous three JCA champs included stars such as QB Mark Parker and RB Rick Thayer (Tom's brother). This story was originally published November 26, 2022 5:33 PM. From 1976 to the beginning of the 1995 season, the Flyers' coach was Bob Shannon. CHAMPAIGN - East St. Louis was tired of hearing how it couldn't stop the triple-option. It just wasnt going to happen again.. From 1976 to the beginning of the 1995 season, the Flyers' coach was Bob Shannon. An Illinois football commit, Hayden got one carry on what will be his home field next year and scored a 69-yard touchdown on the Flyers first play of the fourth quarter. Sean King, Special to STLhighschoolsports.com, East St. Louis' Christopher Bennett Jr (3) carries the ball for a touchdown against Prairie Ridge during a state 6A championship game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign on Saturday, Nov 26, 2022. The Flyers beat Chatham Glenwood 50-28. The Wolves never got it going again. Why the Tigers were great: They possessed possibly the greatest offense the state has ever seen, led by QB Jon Beutjer (Iowa, Illinois) and WRs Jon Schweighardt (Northwestern) and Eric McGoey (Illinois). Also available is a full list of upcoming Pop's Nightclub and Concert Venue events. Schweighardt had 94 receptions for 1,572 yards and 26 TDs, with McGoey adding 60, 1,274 and 21. Another thing is these guys are the first team since the 80s to make state three straight years and if it wasnt for covid, it would have been four (years).. Here is a look at the teams previous state championship appearances in all IHSA playoff classifications. The Flyers, seeded No. Why the Flyers were great: They were led by future Illini All-American LB Dana Howard, QB Rollie Nevilles, RBs Chris Moore and LaGrant Suggs and WR Homer Bush, who would win a World Series as a utility player with the 1998 Yankees. 5 nationally. So, with those criteria in mind, here they are: the 32 best high school football teams in Illinois history, listed chronologically. Thurman was an All-Stater in football, basketball and track. Hats off to all those guys. The Flyers turned on the mercy-rule running clock on the first play of their next drive as Battle went deep to junior receiver Rico Bond for a 41-yard touchdown and a 50-7 lead. 8 in USA Today's national rankings. The Wolves ran once and attempted two passes that fell incomplete and were forced to punt. In the state semifinal and final he rushed for a combined 514 yards and seven touchdowns. They cruised all season until the final, when they needed two touchdowns in the final three minutes to overcome Sacred Heart-Griffin. It was big (for me to win it) because I wanted to come back and finish (state), said Battle. They outscored their opponents 579-194, including 219-68 in the playoffs on the way to the first of the program's two state titles (2013). Congratulations to Rico Bond, Robert (Pops) Battle and Dominic Dixon for being selected the East St. Louis players of the game. Most Dramatic Play: In the 1989 Class 3A state championship football game between Lutheran North and Branson, North trailed 26-21 with the ball at the Branson 46-yard line and 17 seconds left in . It may be coming soon near St., Human remains identified as Mizzou student, Hundreds celebrate life of automotive icon Frank, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. It was time for the Flyers defense to show what it could do. The Flyers secured the 10th state football title in program history by virtue of a 57-7 win against Prairie Ridge in the IHSA Class 6A championship game Saturday at Memorial Stadium on the. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. The triple option has many benefits, but moving the ball over a long distance in a hurry is not one of them. They outscored their opponents 455-159, including 191-38 in playoffs, and went 7-0 in the Catholic Blue. In the final two of those seasons, East outscored its opponents 526-93. The next day, 4,188 watched the Bears play the Cleveland Rams at Wrigley Field. Vasey had 25 carries for 126 yards and one touchdown. Gone were the undefeated ''mythical'' state champions from the suburbs or Downstate. We really felt like we had something to prove.. Jimmie Spraggins` 68-yard punt return in the first quarter and Tim Spencer`s 11-yard burst in the third quarter gave the Raiders a 12-9 lead. Junior Rico Bond made the extra point. Jaylin McKenzie, 14, was hit and killed by a stray bullet and sophomore Jermaine Falconer died after passing out in the weight room. Playoff victory margin: 26.4 points (Stevenson 63-29, Loyola 26-7, Barrington 42-0, Bartlett 23-6, Hinsdale Central 41-21). Sophomore TaRyan Martin, meanwhile, rushed for 174 yards and three touchdowns on 17 carries and credited the offensive line for his performance. If you want to make sure you have the necessary supplies on hand to treat a future breakout, acne patches are the answer. The Flyers, perhaps the finest team in state history, scored three times in the final 3:56 of the second period to open the floodgates. Southwestern Boys Win, O'Fallon Tops East St. Louis 7. . Likewise, Providence uses all its fingers to count its state championships and Joliet Catholic and Mount Carmel have to use some of their toes. Three players RB Ira Matthews, DE Jerry Holloway and LB Stuart Walker were selected in the NFL draft, and QB Dean Schlueter, RB Russell Pope and RB Joe Black were stars as well. Thats all we heard from the time we lost the state championship last year until this week. East Side sophomore receiver Christopher Bennett Jr. capped the Flyers ensuing 56-yard drive with a 13-yard touchdown run for a 43-7 lead. In 2008, en route to the Flyers' first state championship under Sunkett, an East St. Louis player collapsed on the sideline during a game against Collinsville. They went 14-0 and earned their ninth. Playoff victory margin: 25.8 points (West Aurora 31-0, Stevenson 49-0, Homewood-Flossmoor 34-28, Palatine 24-22, Marist 41-0). We were really going out and doing it for my brother Jaylon, McVay said. They outscored their opponents 265-128. Playoff victory margin: 26.5 points (West Chicago 22-0, Rich Central 26-0, Lake Forest 33-0, LaSalle-Peru 25-0). The game has changed so dramatically that it makes it extremely difficult to compare teams from different eras. It was the largest margin of victory in a title game in state history. Cary-Grove used its triple option to upset East St. Louis and Luther Burden, the top team and top player in the state. East St. Louis 48 - Crystal Lake Prairie Ridge 20 Scott's Notes: When the Flyers win their ninth state championship on Saturday, it will mark the first time in history that the City of. Safety John Gorman had an astounding-for-the-time 11 interceptions. CHAMPAIGN Darren Sunkett picked ice chips out of the hood of his sweatshirt Saturday. They outscored their opponents 600-209. Martin scored his second touchdown, this time from 8 yards, to put the Flyers ahead 15-7 with 11:19 to go in the second. Robert Cruz played QB for the 1995 and 1996 undefeated champs. The tradition East St. Louis football has is a great feeling, Sunkett said. Sean King, Special to STLhighschoolsports.com, East St. Louis' Michael Tillman (12) breaks up a pass intended for Prairie Ridge's Luke Vanderwiel (6) during a state 6A championship game at Memorial Stadium in Champaign on Saturday, Nov 26, 2022. (Sorry, Roaring Twenties.). LB Mark Zavagnin played at Notre Dame, and QB Mark Strimel played at Purdue. It took three seasons before a squad from the league emerged with the top trophy in Class 5A, and to do it, the undefeated Vikings had to go overtime to win 22-21 and avert a gallant upset bid by Glenbard West. Why the Mustangs were great: The small but sturdy team was coached by Buckley, a former Marine and three-sport star at Harvard. The first seven times Joliet had the ball, it was stopped six times by penalties and once by an interception. Just ask the East St. Louis Flyers football team. Prairie Ridge (12-2) scored on a 14-yard run by quarterback Tyler Vasey on its first drive. That`s where linebacker Jack Moller came in. ''Afterburner Army,'' an all-world lineman in Cleveland Crosby and Kellen Winslow, a 6-foot-5-inch, 210-pound tight end who ended up setting receiving records for the National Football League`s San Diego Chargers. But we did it anyway. They outscored opponents 630-170, including 195-63 in the playoffs, and finished No. Appearing live in East St. Louis was tired of hearing how it couldn & x27... 23-6, Hinsdale Central 41-21 ) 24-22, Marist 26-6 ) his performance fourth state football in... Tops East St. Louis Flyers football team the No 65-7, when all said! On its first drive Thayer ( Tom 's brother ) seconds before end. Teams previous state championship schedule and scores - live and final he rushed for a third five. Led by brother LBs Gus ( eight sacks ) and Jon ( seven Olofsson. 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east st louis flyers football state championships