By Troy Hayes
MaxPreps.com
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – Darren Sunkett knows exactly what it takes to be a winner, and he sure likes the look of his East St. Louis Flyers football team.
Sunkett, a former defensive back with Division II Cheyney State in Pennsylvania, was good enough to be offered a tryout with the San Francisco 49ers in the early ’90s, so he’s seen the best of the best.
He led St. Louis’ Riverview Gardens High School to the 1998 Class 5A title in Missouri before making the jump to East St. Louis seven years ago, so he’s coached the best of the best against the best of the best.
And this year, Sunkett thinks his Flyers team might be better than any he’s coached in his 13 years as a program leader.
“I think it’s as good a team as I’ve had here,” Sunkett said. “We’re very balanced and we are very focused.”
Strong words considering Sunkett has coached the Flyers to 56 wins entering the season, including two quarterfinal appearances and their semifinal run from last year. The words are easy to believe when you look at the way the Flyers have steamrolled opponents since a Week 1 loss to Huber Heights Wayne (Ohio) at the Burger King Kirk Herbstreit Varsity Football Series in Cincinnati.
ESL has averaged 56.5 points per game since the 20-12 loss in Ohio. And it’s been against pretty tough competition. They’ve beaten 7-1 St. John’s College Prep out of Washington, D.C. (54-13), 7-1 Belleville West 61-7 and 5-3 Belleville East 40-0. In all, the Flyers have surrendered just 45 points since Week 1.
“We learned a lot from that loss,” University of Illinois recruit Terry Hawthorne said. “We were really pumped up at the beginning of the game then we were flat in the second half. We should be undefeated but (the loss) kind of helped us. We know what we have to do and that’s play four quarters every game.”
Adding to their ability to refocus has been a near tragedy on the field.
Junior Demond Hunt, who Sunkett called a “huge part” of the Flyers’ defense, suffered a stroke on the field during a Week 6 game with Collinsville. He was initially listed in critical condition with a blood clot in his brain but has since improved to fair condition though he is still hospitalized. The Flyers, already single-minded concerning their goal of a state title, have revved up their resolve since.
“It’s all he wanted so it’s all we want,” Hawthorne said. “We are doing this all for him now.”
Hawthorne is just one of the cogs in the Flyers’ rededicated machine. He’s complemented on the other side by wideout Kraig Appleton, who is being recruited by LSU, Illinois, Wisconsin and others. Those two have already been honored with invites to play in prestigious postseason all-star games. Appleton has been selected to play in the U. S. Army All-American Bowl and Hawthorne in the Under Armour All-American game.
Those two have combined for more than 1,000 yards receiving and 17 touchdowns, but they aren’t the only weapons.
Junior quarterback Detchauz Wray is the driving offensive force. He’s thrown for 1,539 yards and 21 TDs, ran for 257 and five and thrown just four picks.
“He’s grown up so much,” Sunkett said. “He’s matured as a quarterback over the last year and makes great decisions.”
Running back Courtney Molton (944 yards and 14 TDs) adds just the right balance to the high-flying offense.
The Flyers can complete their perfect Southwestern Conference run with a victory over 5-3 Edwardsville on Friday. It’s just another step along the ultimate journey.
“Everyone has one thing in mind: a state championship,” Sunkett said. “But that doesn’t mean we are looking past anyone. Demond getting hurt showed everyone that you can’t think about tomorrow. You have to be focused on today at all times. What can I do today? There are a lot of lessons to be learned from that. That’s what I enjoy most with coaching. Anytime you are able to teach young men, it’s a good feeling. We just may win a state championship along the way.”
Troy Hayes covers central and southern Illinois for MaxPreps. He may be reached at sportsgopher@yahoo.com.
