Reyondous Estes of East St. Louis(IL) Senior High School passed for 120 yards and 3 touchdowns in a 26-13 victory over Plainfield North in the Class 7A state championship Saturday at Memorial Stadium on the campus of the University of Illinois.

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/high-school/football/east-st-louis-dominant-in-winning-program-s-eighth-state/article_f3d27916-b435-11e6-8626-2f38fb504fbf.html

East St. Louis dominant in winning program's eighth state championship
By Steve Overbey | SLhighschoolsports.com Nov 27, 2016 (3)

CHAMPAIGN • To East St. Louis football coach Darren Sunkett, eight years seemed like an eternity.

But the wait is over.

The City of Champions tag has become applicable once again.

The Flyers turned in a dominating performance in bouncing Plainfield North 26-13 in the Class 7A state championship Saturday at Memorial Stadium on the campus of the University of Illinois.

East St. Louis (14-0) claimed its eighth title, but first since 2008.

"It seems like a long time, but winning this isn't easy," Sunkett said. "Every year, of course, you want to get a title. But you can't get spoiled, too. It's just not an easy thing to do. So, we're going to enjoy this one for a while."

For a team that dominated the state in the 1980s and grabbed crowns in each of the next two decades, a lengthy stretch without a championship was disappointing.

But this Flyers team was determined to get the city back on top again.

"Doing this is what we do," senior quarterback Reyondous Estes said. "It feels good to be back on top again. Good for us, good for the city and good for this part of the state.

"This one is for everyone in the 618 (area code)."

Estes, who has verbally committed to Mizzou, threw for 120 yards and three scores.

Standout senior wide receiver Jeff Thomas, one of the most sought-after recruits in the country, hauled in touchdowns receptions of 43 and 61 yards to help his team roll out to a 26-0 lead.

The Flyers defense threw a blanket over Plainfield North until the final quarter, when the Tigers scored twice to make the final score more respectable.

East St. Louis junior linebacker Eric Owens returned an interception 85 yards for a touchdown in the third period to break the game open.

"When we got together before the start of the season, we said we were going to do this," Thomas said. "And we were going to do it no matter what."

East St. Louis was dubbed the City of Champions in the 1980s after the school won three successive football crowns in addition to state titles in basketball and track and field.

The Flyers had fallen on hard times — at least by their lofty standards.

"I guess this proves we're back," Estes said.

East St. Louis was impressive on both sides of the ball against Plainfield North (11-3), which was making its first state final appearance. The Tigers, under the direction of former Collinsville High coach Tim Kane, earned their first postseason victory in late October.

Estes engineered a masterful drive on the Flyers' second possession of the game. He capped off the 11-play, 56-yard march with a 7-yard pass to James Knight on fourth down. Running back Jarrell Anderson, who finished with 92 yards on 23 carries, did most of the ground work, including a pair of third-down runs that kept the line moving.

The Flyers pumped the advantage to 12-0 on a 43-yard strike from Estes to Thomas — just 1 minute and 42 seconds after the initial score. The speedy Thomas blew by the defense and was wide open at the goal line.

The duo hooked up again midway through the third period. Estes, under heavy pressure, heaved a ball almost 50 yards in the air that Thomas ran under for a 20-0 cushion.

Owens padded the lead by stepping in front of a Brady Miller pass and running it all the way back with 2:23 left in the third period. The 85-yard pick-six was the longest in the history of the 7A title game.

The East Louis defense forced five punts and one turnover on the Tigers' first six possessions.

"They've got a lot of weapons on defense," Kane said. "A lot of good football players."

Linebacker Lamontre Harvey led a rock-ribbed unit with seven tackles, three for losses. He also added a sack.

The Flyers' defense recorded 11 tackles for loss and two sacks in addition to forcing two turnovers.

"Our team was definitely built around defense," Sunkett said. "They took it upon themselves to make the plays."

East St. Louis recorded five shutouts and held opponents to 10 points or less eight times during the campaign.

That proved to be a winning combination for the Flyers, who improved to 8-3 in state title contests.

"I'm so excited I can't even think right now," Estes said. "All I know is we are the champions again."

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