East St. Louis’ dominant playoff run ends with 11th state football championship

On a blustery day on the campus of Illinois State University, the East St. Louis Flyers capped a historically dominant run at the Illinois 6A football title, even by the standards of a program that’s won championships in three classes.

The Flyers defeated Geneva, 48-28, at Hancock Field in Normal Saturday to capture their 11th championship overall and their fifth under current head coach Darren Sunkett.

And in their fourth championship game in as many years — they finished second both last season and in 2021 — the Flyers delivered East St. Louis its third championship in five years.

“We’re just thankful to be here,” Sunkett said. “We know how tough a road it is to get here. We were here last year and came up a little short. We started the season Aug. 29 with a big win and we told the kids we want to finish the season the same way. ...

“We ended the season at the climax we wanted to. And the individuals sitting around me ... I’m proud of these guys.”

But even this year was different.

East Side (13-1) had thoroughly dismantled its opposition since losing to nationally ranked IMG Academy in the regular season finale. The Flyers entered Saturday’s championship game having outscored four playoff opponents by a combined margin of 221-14, including shutouts in each of the first two rounds and last week’s semifinal victory.

Through the first quarter against Geneva Saturday, it looked like it was going to more of the same.

The Flyers forced Geneva into a three-and-out on its opening drive, then mounted a six-play, 53-yard scoring drive. Larevious Woods’ 6-yard touchdown run was the first of his three on the afternoon.

On their very next possession, they marched 74 yards on 13 plays, capped by quarterback Kendrick Lyons’ four-yard scoring pass to Ronnie Gomiller to put the Flyers up 13-0 at the end of the first quarter.

East Side stretched its head start to 20 points on its next possession, this time when Wood broke loose a 21-yard scoring run.

“We always make it a point to come out fast. ... Every time we get the ball we want to score,” Lyons said. “We knew today it was going to be a shootout, so we wanted to make sure as an offense that we’d score.”

Geneva (12-2) didn’t roll over.

Senior quarterback Tony Chahino completed seven straight passes and led the Vikings to 184 yards of offense in the second half alone. He also led scoring drives in each of their next three possessions of the half.

First, he connected with University of Georgia commit Talyn Taylor on a four-yard scoring pass to put the Vikings on the board. Then he hit Michael Rumoro for a 10-yard strike to cap an eight-play, 66-yard touchdown drive.

East St. Louis answered both of those scores with a touchdown run by TaRyan Martin and an 84-yard kickoff return by Christopher Bennett Jr.

But Chahino’s touchdown on a 1-yard keeper with 30 seconds left in the half made it a two score game at 34-21.

And when the Flyers’ opening drive to the Geneva 15 was upended by an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and a Lyons’ fumble, Chahino and the Vikings converted to cut its deficit to 34-28 midway through the third quarter.

“They have good receivers and a really good quarterback,” said East St. Louis linebacker Leon Howard.

But the Flyers’ defense regained control, intercepting Chahino twice and sacking him once deep in his own territory to set up Lyons and the offense a short field.

Before the third quarter ended, Woods found the endzone again on a 31-yard run and Gomiller turned a pass across the middle into an 81-yard touchdown strike to pad the Flyers’ lead and cinch the championship.

“Coach told me to go out and make a play, so that’s what I did,” Gomiller said.

Lyons finished the game 14-of-21 for 225 yards and two touchdowns. He was winless last season as a junior at Granite City, but had dreamed of playing at East St. Louis, where his father had been a starting quarterback.

“It all starts with Ken. He’s got the ball in his hands every play and he’s making good reads. The offense revolved around him all day and all season long,” Sunkett said. “He’s led us to a state championship. I’m proud of him.”

Woods led all ball carriers with 113 yards on 10 carries to go with the three touchdowns. Gomiller had 5 catches for 128 yards and two scores.

East St. Louis outgained Geneva 548 to 346 and held the Vikings to just 23 yards of rushing, including Rumoro’s 21-yard run in the third quarter.

“I can’t say enough about these guys,” Sunkett said. “They are all great young men and they’re going to go on and do great things.”

The Flyers also were penalized 14 times for 151 yards, compared to just three penalties for 12 yards for Geneva.

For Geneva, Chahino finished 20-of-39 for 323 yards and three touchdowns. Taylor led Geneva’s receivers with eight catches and 116 yards while Weppner added six for 111. Each scored a touchdown.

This story was originally published November 30, 2024 at 7:01 PM.