Courtney Molton, East St. Louis
File photo by Jim Owens
Glen Faulkner returned a fumble 20 yards and an interception 10 yards to help the Flyers, who have posted three straight 40-plus-point games since returning from a two-game stint in Ohio. East St. Louis, the defending Illinois Class 7A state champions and ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press Class 6A state poll, improved to 3-2 overall and 3-0 in the conference. The victory extended their conference winning streak to 27 games, last losing a league contest Oct. 7, 2005, when Edwardsville beat them 41-24.
Flyers quarterback Detchauz Wray completed 11-of-17 passes for 227 yards and one touchdown and ran for another, running back Courtney Molton scampered for 159 yards and a score, and receiver Keante Minor had five catches for 111 yards and a touchdown.
Mater Dei seizes second opportunity
Missouri’s St. Joseph's Academy girls volleyball team didn't finish Mater Dei off when it had the chance Tuesday, and the Knights made them pay. Brooke Schulte banged home a match-high 11 kills as Mater Dei rebounded from a first-game loss to upset the visiting Angels 20-25, 25-20, 25-18.
"To win like we did shows us that we have character and you better not let up on us," Mater Dei coach Fred Rakers told the Belleville News-Democrat. "For my kids, it shows that they didn't quit. They could have rolled over and played dead, but they didn't do it. They played hard and hung in there."
It was the second time in the last seven days the Angels (13-5), the defending Missouri Class 4A champions, lost after taking on an Illinois team. On Sept. 22, St. Joseph's Academy fell to Althoff, 25-23, 25-16.
Who needs offense?
With keeper Conor Knox holding firm, the O'Fallon boys soccer team doesn't need to score many goals. And while they haven’t found an offensive stride, their defense is in full kick. Knox continued his stellar season, posting his ninth solo shutout in a 1-0 win over Belleville West. Sean Blumberg scored on a header midway through the game to provide the difference, as O‘Fallon improved to 11-1 overall and 5-0 in the Southwestern Conference. The Panthers, who used seniors Tyler Wobbe, Jacob Slaby and Sean Schwarz, junior Cale Ward and sophomore Evan Figeroa on defense, have allowed just two goals this season.
Comanches check Edwards
Carbondale running back Kendall Edwards, whose 444 yards rushing in Week 3 against Centralia was a top-10 all-time mark in the state, was limited to just 67 yards on 20 carries last week against Cahokia (5-0). Carbondale entered the game undefeated as well.
The shutout was the second of the season for the Comanches, who have allowed just 23 points this year. The Comanches not only received the stellar defensive effort in the 20-0 win, but got a solid effort from star quarterback Patrick Ivy before the senior left the game late in the second quarter after rolling an ankle. Ivy was 9-of-20 for 180 yards and three touchdowns, including a 41-yard strike to Missouri recruit Jimmie Hunt, who did most of the damage after catching a short pass.
"Hunt does that to people," Cahokia coach Antwyne Golliday told the Southern Illinoisan. "He did the same thing last week (against Marion) when he caught a 5-yard pass and turned it into a long touchdown. He just changes games."
As for Ivy, Golliday insists he’ll be back in action on Friday.
"He'll be OK for next week," he said.
Sportspersons of the year named
The Illinois High School Association announced its 2009 Do What's Right! Sportspersons of the Year on Sept. 21. Applicants were judged by a committee of IHSA staff members based on letters of recommendation highlighting their leadership skills and sportsmanship, participation in sports and activities, academic performance, application essays and overall involvement in their school and community. Downstate recipients included:
Pat Wampler, Champaign (Central) - Wampler participated in four total sports during his high school career at Champaign Central, including four years on the basketball and golf squads. A member of the Senior Advisor Program, the three-time Big 12 Leadership Conference attendee placed fourth individually in his team's Regional golf tournament in 2008. He was a part of the Maroons basketball team that finished third in the state in 2008 and was the recipient of the Big 12 Conference Scholar Athlete Award the same season.
Taylor Pulliam, Riverton - Pulliam capped a four-year career as a member of the Riverton volleyball and soccer squads by serving as a team captain in her junior and senior seasons in both sports. She was also actively involved in Spanish Club, Hawk Pride, Student Council, Yearbook, Key Club and SADD during her time at Riverton. An all-county and all-conference volleyball performer, she currently holds the school record for career assists in soccer. The National Honor Society member received the Hawk Award in 2007, which recognizes a student who excels in character, school work and athletics.
Ryan Brown, Shelbyville High School - Brown participated on the Shelbyville cross country, track & field and wrestling teams during his time at the school, serving as a team captain as a senior in cross country and track. He was also chosen to the Principal's Student Cabinet three times and joined the school Math Team as a senior. A National Honor Society member, Ryan helped Shelbyville place sixth in the state in cross country in 2007 and earned individual all-state honors the following season as a senior. He was also a regional wrestling champion who earned all-conference track & field honors in six events.
