Game Recap: Belleville East vs. East St.Louis

Belleville, IL - The temperature was high, the crowds were intense, and the game was fast-paced this past weekend in Belleville. The game opened up with two drives that made it look like the spectators would be in for a battle until the end, but then the Flyers of East St.Louis pressed on the gas pedal and never let up all game. With the clock running for the second half of the game, the deficit was too much for the Lancers of Belleville East to overcome. The Flyers came out with the 57-0 blowout over the home team of Belleville East.   First quarter - The Flyers of East St.Louis got the ball first and opened slow going up against the stout defensive line of East Belleville. OJ Mosely and Anthony Cunningham Jr were giving the large offensive line of East St.Louis issues and caused an opening drive three and out for the Lancer defense. Following the punt, the Lancer got the ball in their own territory and would look to make a push for the end zone. However, similar to the Lancer defensive line, the Flyer defensive line would cause issues for the Lancer offense all night as they would have their way with the offensive line of Belleville East. This solid defensive performance by the Flyers led to another punt that would put the ball into Robert "Pops" Battle's hands of East St.Louis, who would get the train rolling for the Flyers with a 40-yard strike to senior receiver Caiden Rogers. The next Flyers touchdown would be a 17-yard pass from Pops to sophomore Dejerrian Miller with 5:24 left in the first quarter. Following a missed 2-point conversion, the Flyers would take a 12-0 lead. However, the Lancer defense started to look like they were getting into a rhythm as they forced a 4th down punt off of a big defensive drive for OJ Mosely.   Second quarter - The rhythm from the Lancer defense was short-lived, as on the ensuing offensive drive, the Lancers would cough the ball up and big 3rd and one at midfield, which led to a scoop and score by Flyers linebacker Dominic Dixon. After a successful 2-point conversion, the Flyers would start the second quarter with a 20-0 lead. Then not long after, the Flyer's defense would come up big again with an interception in Lancer territory, leading to a rushing touchdown by sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='278888' first='TaRyan' last='Martin'] with 6:57 left in the second quarter. The ping-ponging of great plays between the Flyer's defense and offense kept going due to another Flyers scoop and score off of a Lancer fumble at midfield; Flyers linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='266356' first='Antwon' last='Hayden'] would take the ball 50 yards to the house. The next Lancers possession would be short-lived, and the ball would be back into the hands of [player_tooltip player_id='271286' first='Robert' last='Battle'], who would devise another methodical drive downfield that would conclude with an 8-yard rushing touchdown by [player_tooltip player_id='278888' first='TaRyan' last='Martin']. This rushing touchdown would lead to a successful 2-point conversion, and the flyers would take the 42-0 lead with 4:06 left in the 2nd quarter. The Lancer defense would then look as if they were getting a second wind as they would round out the half with a sack and then an interception by Lancer safety Javion Mobley-Jackson.   Third quarter - The start of the second half would see the Lancers faced with a 42-0 deficit, and to add even more difficulty to come back, they would also have to fight against a running clock. So, the second half went fast. The Flyers opened the half with the ball, but the Lancer defense would keep their rhythm going from the end of the first half. Defensive Lineman, OJ Mosely of the Lancers, would come up big with a fumble recovery as the Flyers drove into Lancer territory.   Fourth quarter - Coming off of the strong performance to close out the third quarter, the Lancer offense would get the ball in their hands with a shimmer of hope; however, the Lancer offense could not keep this going and would give the ball back to the Flyers offense. The Flyer offense would open the final quarter with the ball in their hands, and [player_tooltip player_id='271286' first='Robert' last='Battle'] would end the drive by calling his own card and taking the ball into the end zone from about 25 yards out. After a successful 2-point conversion, the Flyers would have the 50-0 lead with 10:22 left in the fourth. For the final score, Fresh Woods of East St.Louis would take the ball into the end zone on a 15-yard rush. Following the only successful PAT of the game, the Flyers would take the 57-0 lead, where the point differential would end for the game.   Outlook - The Lancers of Belleville East showed heart the entire game and played fiercely, but the skill power of East St.Louis would be too much for this contest. Both teams excited the game with 2-2 records and will continue into their conference schedules.

Belleville, IL - The temperature was high, the crowds were intense, and the game was fast-paced this past weekend in Belleville. The game opened up with two drives that made it look like the spectators would be in for a battle until the end, but then the Flyers of East St.Louis pressed on the gas pedal and never let up all game. With the clock running for the second half of the game, the deficit was too much for the Lancers of Belleville East to overcome. The Flyers came out with the 57-0 blowout over the home team of Belleville East.