City of Champions celebrates its East St. Louis Flyers and their 11th state championship
By Joshua Carter
East St. Louis High School’s football team celebrated its 11th Illinois state football championship with an energetic parade through the city Wednesday.
The Flyers defeated Geneva, 48-28, at Hancock Field in Normal to take the Class 6A title on Saturday.
Public figures showed up for an assembly prior to the celebratory parade, in which they congratulated the team for its 13-1 season.
“You will not believe how hard these boys worked,” said head coach Darren Sunkett. “They really, really put their heart and soul into it.”
“There’s a reason we’re called the City of Champions,” echoed East St. Louis Mayor Charles Powell III.
The parade began at the Flyers’ home stadium and made its way down State Street. Along the route, crowds of people lined the streets with oversized heads of players and signs of support.
Artagus Williams, 50, has lived in East St. Louis his entire life and many call him the team’s “No. 1 fan.” Since the season began, he has attended every single game the Flyers have played.
“I simply love this city,” he said from the parade route.
East St. Louis head coach Darren Sunkett speaks to East St. Louis High School while his own image is cast on the screen behind. Sunkett has led the Flyers to five championships and three in the last five seasons. Joshua Carter Belleville News-Democrat
East St. Louis cheerleaders smile and shake pom-poms after a shout out from head football coach Darren Sunkett. Joshua Carter Belleville News-Democrat
The Flyers celebrate their myriad football trophies prior to the victory parade through East St. Louis on Dec. 4, 2024. Joshua Carter Belleville News-Democrat
East St. Louis football players stare on as their coach, Darren Sunkett boasts of how hard they worked over the year. Joshua Carter Belleville News-Democrat
Artagus Williams poses in his “City of Champions” jacket as the East St. Louis victory parade rolls by on State Street. Joshua Carter Belleville News-Democrat
Junior football players, hopeful for a spot on the high school varsity Flyers when the time comes, celebrate during a state victory parade on Dec. 4, 2024. Joshua Carter Belleville News-Democrat
Many fans printed out larger-than-life cutouts of their favorite players for the East St. Louis victory parade on Dec. 4, 2024. Joshua Carter Belleville News-Democrat
Members of the Flyers football team piled onto cars to roll down State Street as part of the East St. Louis victory parade. Joshua Carter Belleville News-Democrat
Loved ones and supporters of the Flyers gather along the parade route to cheer as the champions made their way through East St. Louis. Joshua Carter Belleville News-Democrat
Tracy Douglas, Artagus Williams and Ranada Turner wait along the parade route to show support to inside linebacker Keylan Lagrant. Williams, center, has been deemed the Flyers “No. 1 fan” by some members of the community. He has attended every game of the season. Joshua Carter Belleville News-Democrat
A van marked with the sign “We brought the SMOKE all 2024” moves along with the Flyers’ victory parade, all the while holding an orange smoke canister out of the window. Joshua Carter Belleville News-Democrat
Dozens of golf carts and other vehicles make their way down State Street for the East St. Louis victory parade on Dec. 4, 2024. Joshua Carter Belleville News-Democrat
