When you look up the east st louis football score, you aren’t just looking for numbers on a screen. You’re looking at the pulse of a city. For the East St. Louis Flyers, football isn't a hobby; it’s a legacy that carries the weight of 11 state championships.
The 2025 season was a rollercoaster. People expected another ring. Honestly, it felt like a given until it wasn't. The Flyers finished with a 10-4 record, a stat line that would be a dream for most programs but feels like a "down year" for the City of Champions.
The season came to a crashing halt on December 2, 2025. They were in the IHSA Class 6A State Championship at Hancock Stadium in Normal. The final east st louis football score was 38-28 in favor of the Fenwick Friars.
It was a shock.
Why the 2025 Finals Score Stung
The Flyers entered that game as favorites. Most of the season, they looked invincible against Illinois competition. They blew out Simeon 49-0 in the quarterfinals and dismantled St. Laurence 50-7 in the semifinals. When the offense is clicking, Darren Sunkett’s squad is basically a track team in pads.
But Fenwick played a disciplined, grind-it-out style that took the air out of the ball. The Flyers struggled with turnovers at the worst possible times. When you give a team like Fenwick extra possessions, you're asking for trouble.
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By the fourth quarter, the score told a story of missed opportunities.
East St Louis Football Score: A Season Recap
To understand how they got to that 28-38 loss, you have to look at the schedule. They don't play a "cupcake" non-conference slate. They traveled all over the country to find the best competition.
- August 28: A heartbreaker against Bergen Catholic (NJ). Score: 21-22 (L).
- September 12: A tough road trip to Las Vegas against powerhouse Bishop Gorman. Score: 10-35 (L).
- October 25: Another national test at IMG Academy in Florida. Score: 14-38 (L).
These games matter. They test the depth of the roster. While the national east st louis football score trended toward the loss column, those battles prepared them to dominate the Southwestern Conference.
They went 5-0 in the conference. It wasn't even close.
They beat Alton 60-6. They shut out Belleville West 67-0. They crushed Edwardsville 54-0. For a solid month, the defense didn't let anyone breathe. It’s that dominance that makes the final championship loss so hard to swallow for the fans.
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The Stars Behind the Numbers
You can't talk about the score without talking about who put the points on the board.
Myson Johnson-Cook is a name you’re going to hear a lot. The junior running back averaged over 111 yards per game. He’s 6'2" and 220 pounds of pure problem for opposing linebackers. Then there's Kortez Rupert, a senior wideout who was the primary deep threat all year.
On the other side of the ball, Jahadi White was a nightmare off the edge. He averaged 6.5 tackles per game and led the team in sacks alongside Caleb Brown.
When people search for the east st louis football score, they often forget that these are teenagers playing under a massive spotlight. The pressure to win in East St. Louis is unlike anywhere else in the Midwest.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Flyers
A lot of folks see four losses and think the program is slipping. That’s just not true.
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If you look at the teams they lost to—Bergen Catholic, Bishop Gorman, IMG Academy, and Fenwick—you’re looking at top-tier national programs and a state champion. Most Illinois teams wouldn't even step on the field with those first three.
The "Flyer Way" involves seeking out the hardest path. Sometimes that leads to a score that looks bad on paper but builds a tougher team for the long run.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Recruits
If you’re following the team or looking ahead to the 2026 season, here is what you need to keep an eye on:
- Monitor the 2026 Schedule: The Flyers usually release their schedule in late spring. Watch for those high-profile national matchups in August and September.
- Follow the Recruiting Trail: Players like Myson Johnson-Cook and Raheem Floyd are high-level recruits. Their performance directly correlates to those high-scoring games.
- Check the IHSA Brackets: Once October hits, the Flyers are almost a lock for the Class 6A or 7A playoffs. The seeding will determine if they get home-field advantage at Clyde C. Jordan Stadium.
- Attend a Home Game: If you've never been, the atmosphere is electric. It’s more than a game; it’s a community event.
The 2025 season ended in heartbreak, but in East St. Louis, the next championship run starts the day after the last game ends. The final east st louis football score of 2025 was a loss, but the foundation for 2026 is already being poured.
Watch the off-season training videos. Keep an eye on the transfer portal and the incoming freshman class. The Flyers will be back in the title hunt. They always are.