Position change made a difference for East St. Louis LB Kendrick Scarbrough
East St. Louis senior Kendrick Scarbrough entered the 2019 season in a new position on a Flyers’ defensive unit full of playmakers, all-conference performers and two of the most highly recruited college prospects in the nation.
The 6-foot-235 pound linebacker not only earned his position, he was an anchor on an East St. Louis defense which recorded four shutouts and helped win the Class 6A state championship.
After recording 103 tackles and 10 quarterback sacks as a junior defensive lineman, Scarbrough finished the 2019 season with 148 tackles, which included 101 solo stops and 17 quarterback sacks.
And he did it at a new position.
After playing outside lienbacker/standup defensive end a year ago for a team that advanced to the Class 7A quarterfinals, Scarbrough was moved to middle linebacker.
“I was very open to the change,’’ Scarbrough said. “I had more responsibility. It went from having one (defensive) read to multiple defensive reads, keeping your eyes disciplined and knowing the entire defense and not just one part.
“I just wanted to do my part in doing whatever necessary to help make this team better.’’
Teaming with University of Missouri recruit in defensive lineman Kevon Billingsley and All-American and Texas A&M recruit Antonio Johnson, Scarbrough did his part for a button-down Flyers defense, which surrendered seven or less points seven times and allowed an average of just 14 points per game.
Named as the Belleville News-Democrat Large School (Class 5A-8A) Defensive Player of the Year, Scarbrough is currently working out in preparation for the next stage of his career.
Scarbrough announced on Twitter this weekend that he has committed to play NCAA Division II football at Truman State University. Truman State finished 9-2 in 2019 and is a member of the Great Lakes Valley Conference
According to Rivals.com, Scarborugh did have one NCAA Division I offer from Southern Mississippi.
Scarbrough spent the past off-season preparing for his final season in a Flyers uniform. One of the leaders returning on an always physical and athletic East St. Louis defense, Scarbrough wasted little time in becoming one of Illinois’ top men in the middle.
From the Flyers opening night win over Batavia to the closing minutes in the state title game 43-21 victory over Crystal Lake Prairie Ridge, Scarbrough was tough to handle for the opposition.
“Kendrick was very physical at the point of attack,’‘ O’Fallon coach Byron Gettis said. “He was good at playing downhill. He rarely missed tackles once he zeroed in on you. With all the skill and talent on East St. Louis defense, Kendrick was a key clog in the middle which made it tough to run the ball.’’
Scarbrough said there were many keys both individually and as a team which led the Flyers to the ninth state football championship in school history and the third under coach Darren Sunkett.
“How was I a better football players this year? I was more mature for one thing,’’ Scarbrough said. “I also tried to take on the personality of my coaches. I tried to play hard, play smart and play fast.
“Team-wise we’re a brotherhood. We brought in as a family. It’s probably one of the best we’ve had in years. We all loved each other and did this as one team and not individuals. This was the closest team I’ve been on by far. Other than being on the football field, I was always with them. If i had problems in life, I would go to my guys. I love them and would do anything for them.’’
This story was originally published February 13, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
