After a solid playing career that saw him make the All-Rookie Team, Claiborne joined the coaching ranks at the high school level, starting with Calabasas High School before returning to USCs football team as a quality control analyst, Most recently, he was the Linebackers coach for Arizona State before joining the St. Louis Battlehawks. How have you been managing to handle all of the different aspects of dealing with the fallout from no spring sports?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Darren Sunkett:<\/strong> There is definitely no playbook on this thing, and with the governor extending all of the social distancing through the end of April we are now waiting on word from the IHSA on what we will do with spring sports. Hopefully, his success continues. Team . A couple juniors recently received offers. Youve seen a lot of great players come through East St. Louis. The more you look at it, personally I just don't see any way of getting it done. In June 2022, Abraham joined the coaching staff of Anthony Becht with the St. Louis Battlehawks. Defensive Line: LaRoi Glover - A bonafide legend, Glover is perhaps the most recognizable name in the coaching ranks of the Battlehawks, if not the entire league. (Dolton, IL), Downers Grove South Si vous souhaitez personnaliser vos choix, cliquez sur Grer les paramtres de confidentialit. I look back at my childhood and  I grew up in Camden (New Jersey). How has that grown and changed the last three years? But hes also a great defensive player also. Stay up to date with all the latest news, rumors, scores and more on the return of the XFL St. Louis franchise. He's not the most vocal kid and just running our tempo offense I'd like to see him get into it a little bit more vocally. A. The kids are excited about it. A lot of great players from East St. Louis have come to play at Illinois. It's justscary and you always want tobe there for yourkids. Be sure to review the current SHINE189 Newsletter. So I really know this whole Girl Dad thing and I really understand it. Versatrans E-Link provides parents/guardians with secure access to their students' Bus Route Information. Just the way Tyler is as a game manager and a play caller, he can only get better from here on out. Sunkett and I cover everything from his coaching career, to being a Girl Dad as well as getting an early look towards the 2020 East St. Louis Flyers. <\/p>\n

EDGYTIM: With the current coronavirus pandemic, I imagine that your job as athletic director has been challenging and in many ways we are in uncharted waters. When I talk about brick by brick, its about building a program, making more progress and kids understand playing for OFallon has an expectancy. So everything for us was film study all week and one or two walk thru's. East St. Louis Football Roster. Theyre enjoying their time and upholding that standard and expectation.. Was that game the tone setter for the remainder of the year? Do you ever get the chance to look back and reflect on some of those earlier teams and the success or are you just always looking ahead? EDGYTIM: How important in the big picture was the Neuqua Valley win (a come from behind 50-48 win) Week 3 on the road in Naperville? The team was founded by Vince McMahons Alpha Entertainment and is an owned-and-operated member of the new XFL owned by Dwayne Johnsons Alpha Acquico. Hes going to punish them, but hes going to punish them like a father. (Saint Charles, IL), Homewood-Flossmoor But none were as highly-regarded as Jeff Thomas. (Batavia, IL). School District 189 offers quality enrichment programming for rising 9th graders in June. East St. Louis believes itself to be a national program and will set out to prove that this . This story was originally published September 23, 2022, 8:00 AM. They were all first year starters and two of them were freshmen in Miles (McVey) and Paris (Patterson) except for one kid. See the East St. Louis Flyers Varsity Football coach information, news, schedule, rosters, rankings, standings and more at sblivesports.com and scorebooklive.com I havent heard anything on it. Your login session has expired. (Chicago, IL), Bolingbrook The East St. Louis School District is deeply committed to ensuring the safety of all students, staff, and school visitors on a daily basis. How would you describe your relationship with Lovie and his staff? Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. 2023-24. Once Jeff trusts you, hell do anything for you. It's taught me to treat every kid with respect like you treat your own kids because you might wake up one morning and never have a chance to talk to that kid ever again. I think Illinois provides a great environment for our kids to succeed academically as well as athletically.. Last year right out of the gates you played Batavia at Batavia and in that first game your kids came out on fire (a 31-17 Flyers win). Visit, Events, Shadow. class kills 16-year-old, Washington school says, Illinois health department reports 19 COVID deaths as disaster declaration set to expire, Mike Shannon, beloved St. Louis Cardinals broadcaster and player, dies at the age of 83, New Athens man goes after local and state officials who block him on Facebook, Owners of new Edwardsville bar, burger place share what to expect. Anytime you get to play a team like East St. Louis, its pretty exciting. I really didn't think we could be beat after that game. The good news for the Tigers is that doing business in East St. Louis is proving to be even more fruitful in the next decade. (Flossmoor, IL), Mount Carmel We also have three sophomore lineman to throw in with them. The former top-50 overall prospect in the Class of 2017 originally passed on the Illini, signing instead with Miami. Hell be a lot closer to her and a lot closer to the mother, who he has a great relationship with. Our teachers engage our young men with active learning and genuine relationships. Inside, you will find many highlights of stellar students, terrific teachers, achieving administrators, spectacular staff, pivotal programs and nifty news notices! I tell my kids all the time teams and coaches never forget losses, so we knew going in it would be a hostile environment. : Mark Lee Defensive Line: La'Roi Glover Linebackers: Dave Steckel. As everyone knows we are in an impoverished area where our crime rate is different than suburban communities. Keep current on your favorite Spartan sports teams. afficher des publicits et des contenus personnaliss en fonction de vos profils de centres dintrt; mesurer lefficacit des publicits et contenus personnaliss; et. This kid is phenomenal when it comes to picking up the game plan. Our gym just isn't big enough to have a proper walk thru. You put all of that together, and its just a great move for Jeff all together.. I'm hoping they arestaying engaged educationally since sports have been taken away from them. Without a doubt, East St. Louis is nationally-renowned program, he said. Offensive Line: Pat Perles - The son of former college head coach and architect of the widely recognized Steel Curtain George Perles, Pat Perles came into coaching in 1992 with the LA Rams. We value the feedback received from students, parents and community stakeholders. They really stepped up and got it done and led us to a state championship. <\/p>\n

EDGYTIM: I love your schedule each year because you take on everyone. St. Bonaventure sits on a beautiful 500-acre residential campus in western New York's Southern Tier, 70 miles south of Buffalo and 90 miles east of Erie, Pa. Hes one of those kids who it just depends on which side of the ball Coach Smith wants to play him on. Just having those guys take us to the wire and having an opportunity late to win the game on fourth down, I knew we were on our way after that game as long as we could stay injury free.<\/p>\n

EDGYTIM: Looking ahead to the 2020 season, fill us in on the first three weeks of the regular season schedule.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sunkett:<\/strong> We open with two Missouri powers. (New Lenox, IL), St. Francis (Chicago, IL), Naperville Central New and exciting things are happening here at East Saint Louis High School and we hope to provide the best educational experiences possible while following CDC Guidelines. Kids I've coached previously stay in touch with the program and they come back and we always rehash the old days. Glover joined the coaching ranks as a Defensive Line Coach for the Jets and the Chargers from 2017-20. While Saturdays game is anything but a must-win situation, Gettis also noted beating the Flyers would not be just an ordinary victory. Please review our eLearning, Return to Learn and ESSER III Plans. Corys always come to me about coaching and things of that sort. The XFL was founded by Vince McMahons Alpha Entertainment and was then bought by and is an owned-and-operated member of the new XFL owned by Dwayne Johnsons Alpha Acquico. After being drafted 194th overall in the 2006 NFL Draft, following a strong collegiate career, where he earned GMAC Bowl MVP, Gradkowski became a solid backup throughout his career, getting sporadic appearances but adding solid contributions in his various stints. Darren Sunkett: I tell you, theyre definitely getting one of the greatest that Ive ever coached. We offer 50+ clubsfor students to pursue interests, build brotherhood, and develop as leaders. Just to be able to give out kids a chance to see other environments, to see how other people live and give them the opportunity to travel and see other cities is somethingsome kids never get to do. How well do you know him and how far back does your relationship go with him? East St. Louis Coach Darren Sunkett didnt respond this week to requests for comments about Saturdays matchup. In September 2022, Gradkowski was officially hired by the St. Louis Battlehawks as their offensive coordinator. Do you ever get the chance to look back and reflect on some of those earlier teams and the success or are you just always looking ahead?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sunkett:<\/strong> We always have alumni come back and they make you reflect back on those days. It kinda just depends on the kid. You need someone who can definitely get their minds and relate to them once they go off to school. Were right on that border when it all comes down to it. Onward and Beyond After School Support, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM (Lena, IL), St Charles East Hes a great kid. We were prepared but we weren't prepared. Was that game the tone setter for the remainder of the year?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sunkett:<\/strong> That was definitely the tone setter. Records/seeds: East St. Louis is 10-2 and seeded No. We had to prepare our kids for a very physical game because that's what Batavia brings week in and week out. (The board usually decides on rehiring coaches in November.) Hes going to have that father-son relationship, and hes going to take care of them. (Oswego, IL), Lemont Meet the Team. What has assistantCory Patterson added to the Illini program in just one year? All completed packets, forms, and health records can be returned between 10 am -1 pm to the Family and Community Engagement Center (FACE- 401 Katherine Dunham Place). Theres also a rivalry between the two. Gettis first season was 2019 with the Panthers going 3-6 and lost to East St. Louis 51-3. (Hinsdale, IL), Plainfield East We are excited to personally reconnect with our families and start this academic year off with our best foot forward! (Bolingbrook, IL), Morgan Park Academy Ida Sykes, Administrative Assistant to the Athletic Director, Brian Schoby, Assistant Athletic Director. You are a Girl Dad and how has that changed you? Right now they have 18 guys with Power 5 offers (chuckling), so yeah that's our Week 3 game. <\/p>\n

EDGYTIM: You bring back some really impressive kids from last season, especially on the offensive side of the football. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Sunkett:<\/strong> You start with (quarterback) Tyler (Macon), and he improved so much last year for us. De Smet Jesuit is a private Catholic high school serving young men in grades 9 - 12 in St. Louis, Missouri. I don't think people understand how hard our kids work and how well conditionedwe are each year. In the communitywe live in, structure is what's mostneeded for our kids. Hopefully we can find a way for our kids to at least experience at least a partial season. Wide Receivers: Ricky Proehl. (Peoria, IL), Phillips Academy I've also have had two players who were very close to me pass in Damien Nash and then Jaylon (McKenzie) and it makes me cherish every minute you spent with your kids. The De Smet Jesuit Football Program has a long history of success on and off the field. But theyre both outstanding junior players, and I think as long as Cory and Coach Smith keeps recruiting those guys, I think those are two more guys who would love to stay home and keep building right here in their home state school. They are also loaded every year and they will be a partof the Classic and we have our hands loaded with both of those Missouri teams. We think it's an experience they will remember and cherish for a lifetime. He also left Miami. Wide Receivers: Ricky Proehl - A Rams legend, Proehl was part of the legendary The Greatest Show on Turf team that won a Super Bowl in 1999. With a strong playing and coaching career already underneath his belt, Proehl will be looking to further establish his coaching pedigree. See top plays & highlights of the best high school sports Apply today! Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=674090812743125&ev=PageView&noscript=1"/>. Head Coach Terrell Buckley. In six spring games with East St. Louis he caught 32 passes for 737 yards and scored . 2 recruit on the Post-Dispatch Super 30 countdown and he's rated as the No. The more you look at it, personally I just don't see any way of getting it done. I try to spend as much time as I can with my daughters and two have moved out of town now so I cherish every moment I have with them. (Decatur, IL), Barrington He has coached the state's winningest football program of all time to an impressive 166-50 record in 18 seasons including IHSA state football titles in 2008 (Class 7A), 2016 (Class 7A) and in dominant fashion last season in Class 6A. The whole Kobe thing really hit home especiallynow with this coronavirus. Youre talking about three great athletes who can really keep this thing going and Cory definitely has a great relationship with all three of those guys. Parents of Students entering Kindergarten can pick up enrollment packets at the Family and Community Engagement Center (FACE), Vivian Adams Early Childhood Center or Elementary Schools. (Saint Louis, MO), Granite City (Crystal Lake, IL), Providence Catholic Has that been by design and if so where does that come from? (Arlington Heights, IL), East St. Louis The interscholastic athletic and non-athletic activities participate in state competitions for grade levels in members' schools. Sunkett: We open with two Missouri powers. East St. Louis Sr. High School is a proud member of the Southwestern Conference located in Southern Illinois. Coaching Staff. They were the number one ranked team in the country last year and they are supposedlygoing to be the preseason number one ranked team again in the nation for 2020. He was able to stretch the offense vertically and he was that thumper we were missing in our offense. Darren Sunkett: I think that was a big impact. Louis Rams (1994-1995), Denver Broncos (1999) QB coach: Arizona Cardinals (2009 . (Lincolnshire, IL), Thornton Township Lovie kinda puts you at ease. I don't have any grand kids yet and I want to see my grand kids before I go. ESLSHS Flyerettes Track Meet - Southwest Conference, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM Darren Sunkett: There is definitely no playbook on this thing, and with the governorextending all of the social distancing through the end of April we are now waiting on word from the IHSA on what we will do with spring sports. How much did that impact his decision to transfer to Illinois? OFallon has only had four coaches in its history. East St. Louis and Illinois have a long history together. We see his stats. A World Bowl Champion, Glover enjoyed a phenomenal 00s decade. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Maine South The latest guest on my weekly 20 Minutes podcast is East St. Louis head coach and athletic director Darren Sunkett. Lorsque vous utilisez nos sites et applications, nous utilisons des, authentifier les utilisateurs, appliquer des mesures de scurit, empcher les spams et les abus; et. Each has been pretty much successful in their own right. I understand the hurdles we went through as a program and it just makes us stronger for the future. All requests for media, radio, television, photography should be made in writing or via e-mail (with company name in address), to Debbie Higgins at dhiggins@desmet.orgor to John Hawkey (Sports Information Director) at jhawkey@desmet.org. The East St. Louis Senior High Schools Flyers Basketball Team won the Super-sectionals on March 6, 2023 in Springfield, Illinois. Last year right out of the gates you played Batavia at Batavia and in that first game your kids came out on fire (a 31-17 Flyers win). He chose Alabama over Michigan State, Oregon and others. Lawaun Powell East St. Louis . Then, in 2021, OFallon went 6-4 and 4-1 in league action but lost to the Flyers 48-2. Vous pouvez modifier vos choix tout moment en cliquant sur le lien Tableau de bord sur la vie prive prsent sur nos sites et dans nos applications. (Marengo, IL), Adlai Stevenson Our high schools, our middle schools and our grade schools are safe havens for our kids. Heres what they said, The sweet taste of victory! (Barrington, IL), Wheaton North (Calumet City, IL), West Aurora Week 3 we travel to California and play St. John Bosco for a national TV game. We talked already about the two freshmen linemen back for next season and it's just about getting them in the best shape possible and they have nothing but upside. Now, his Panthers take the big stage against a local and national power. (Antioch, IL), Crystal Lake South You beat a good program like East St. Louis, its big for the kids. Then with just a lot of former (East St. Louis) alumni who attended Illinois, it was just a great place for Jeff to go and follow in those guys footsteps and make a name of his own down there. Once you get that solidified I think theres more buy in., Gettis also called his current group of players special.. (Palatine, IL), St. Laurence What kind of football player is Illinois getting in Jeff Thomas? It's like I have 55-60 sons at one time. (East Saint Louis, IL), Lincoln-Way East He was able to stretch the offense vertically and he was that thumper we were missing in our offense. What conference do you want to play in? You've had some great teams, but where does the 2019 rank compare to some of those great East St. Louis teams you've coached in the past? <\/strong><\/p>\n

Sunkett:<\/strong> I tell everyone that I think top to bottom that team (2019) was my best team so far.  When you try to think of a weak link from last year it maybe was the offensive line. Kids I've coached previously stay in touch with the program and they come back and we always rehash the old days. Dominic took a while to get adjusted after he transferred in. Athletic Medical Staff Certified Athletic Trainer: Destinee Grove destinee.grove@athletico.com. Miles McVay announced his commitment to Alabama football Thursday. Growing up I never had the opportunity to leave Camden. Snapshot of East St. Louis & Lemont. The Flyers finished second in state last fall, have nine state championships to their credit the last one coming in 2020 and again have a star-studded cast that includes University of Alabama and University of Illinois commits. 2020 State Championships; 2019 State Championships; 2018 State Championships; 2017 State Championships; 2016 State Championships; Boys state placers, 1966-2020; Girls all-time state placers; Spring Sports . So everything for us was film study all week and one or two walk thru's. Then you look at Lawaun Powell who is still developing. We challenge each student at his level for optimal growth and academic achievement. (Shelbyville, IL), Rolling Meadows Make this summer count! What do you see out of those programs right now because obviously you have a good relationship it seems like with both sides? He made 32 tackles in the spring. The biggest thing out of that game is we had a heat wave that week in St. Louis, and we didn't have an opportunity to practice that week. (Oswego, IL), Hope College Prep Explore the options. During the season I'm with my players more than I am with my family and my players are an extension of my family. Becoming a defensive coordinator with the Tampa Bay Storm, he moved to East Lake High School before becoming head coach of the Clearwater High School. Parents will need to complete the enrollment packet and get the required physical examinations and vaccinations. East St. Louis is 2-2 with the losses coming against powerhouse teams from Baltimore and Georgia and ranked No. Our high schools, our middle schools and our grade schools are safe havens for our kids. Jeff is just an electric football player. Do you have a team photo? Were in Illinois, so were Illinois-based. (Oak Lawn, IL), Plainfield North Just the way Tyler is as a game manager and a play caller, he can only get better from here on out. EDGYTIM: You've had quite the run at East St. Louis over the past 18 plus years now. Staff Directory Members By Category/Department; Name Title Email Address Phone Mailstop; Tom Matukewicz: Head Coach tuke@semo.edu: 651-2110 651-2110: 7000 The Girls and Boys Track and field programs have a combined29 State Championships, producing a perennial powerhouse. Pour en savoir plus sur la faon dont nous utilisons vos donnes personnelles, veuillez consulter notre politique relative la vie prive et notre politique en matire de cookies. We looked forward to that game all year and the last time we played Batavia was in 2007 and we knocked them out of the playoffs and they were a very good football team back then. I think just being around out guys made Dominic's take his game to another level and he also took our offense to another level.