Southern Illinois Spring Season Team Preview

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Preview of schools from different classes will help bring well-deserved attention. It is not easy when the boys are up against all the big schools garnering scouts’ attention. Talent down here is notable; young student-athletes who have been working hard all winter in hopes of a season; it has fortunately paid off immensely.</span> <span style="font-weight: 400;">There will be a 2020 season in Illinois for the regions that continue to follow COVID guidelines. It must be a conscientious effort throughout the state to maintain the ability to keep playing. The importance of everyone maintaining this season is paramount to all our young leaders of tomorrow. </span> <h4><b>East St. Louis (Sr.) Flyers, Class 6A, </b><b>Enrollment: 1262, </b><b>Head Coach Darren Sunkett, 2019 Record 14-0 </b></h4> <span style="font-weight: 400;">The defending 6A State Champions are young, hungry, and extremely talented. The Flyers have shown out with an abundance of young student-athletes at every showcase. Before the pandemic, the Flyers ranked second in the country, led by QB [player_tooltip player_id="20203" first="Tyler" last="Macon"], WR [player_tooltip player_id="20194" first="Dominic" last="Lovett"], and WR [player_tooltip player_id="20251" first="Keontez" last="Lewis"]. They have left for early acceptance for the spring semester at their respective D1 schools; SEC (Missouri) Macon, Lovett, and PAC-12 (UCLA) Lewis. Now we will see a new QB take the helm for this ever-important six-game season. The entire backfield has protection by the best young offensive line in the state, led by All-American C/O 2023 [player_tooltip player_id="20841" first="Miles" last="McVay"] <strong>(@McVayMiles)</strong>, and quite possibly will be the best balanced tackle in the country for the 2023 class. The defense is ferocious with multiple state-ranked players at every level in #2 ranked LB [player_tooltip player_id="20919" first="Jamol" last="Molton"], <strong>(@JamolMolton7)</strong>, #5 ranked LB [player_tooltip player_id="20920" first="Jalen" last="Byrd"], <strong>(@JalenByrd1)</strong> #2 ranked DB, [player_tooltip player_id="20928" first="Ahmad" last="Robinson"], <strong>(@2_AhmadRobinson)</strong> #13 ranked DB, [player_tooltip player_id="20936" first="Lamar" last="Box"], <strong>(@LamarrBox)</strong> and #2 ranked DL, [player_tooltip player_id="20908" first="Jireh" last="Mays"], <strong>(@jirehmays75)</strong> in the Prep Redzone rankings. They have a saying on the Flyers Football Team..ALL GAS NO BRAKES lookout these flyers are here to stay. </span> <h4><b>Benton Rangers, Class 4A, </b><b>Enrollment: 555, </b><b>Head Coach Justin Groves, 2019 Record 9-2 </b></h4> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Coach Groves put together a stellar season in 2019 with a strong disciplined group. Now with a five-game schedule locked in for the spring, these Benton Rangers are hungry after a blowout loss in the playoffs last year to Effingham HS. An experienced group of seniors and several juniors make for a dangerous team for the 2020-21 seasons. <strong>Prep Redzones #12 ranked QB C/O 2022</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="65707" first="Keegan" last="Glover"], <strong>(@GloverKeegan)</strong> has big expectations for this spring and fall seasons to show off more of his stellar talent. The QB has an All-Conference WR in <strong>Ayden Newcomb C/O 2021</strong>, which has received several Illinois school interests. All-Conference tackle <strong>C/O 2021 Logan Williams</strong> leads the protection upfront. Williams has a nasty streak in the trenches with relentless determination to finish his blocks. The Rangers look to have a great spring season, aiming for a deep playoff run in the fall.</span> <h4><b>Fairfield Mules, Class 3A, </b><b>Enrollment 425, </b><b>Head Coach Justin Townsend, 2019 10-1</b></h4> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Dominating the Black Diamond Conference with authority and is likely not ending anytime soon. With pair of monster offensive tackles, <strong>C/O 2021 AJ Gonzalez, 6’8 350</strong> (<strong>@BIGAJ_79)</strong>, and <strong>C/O 2022 OT Logan Krieter, 6’9 335, (@LoganKreiter)</strong>, they are athletic for their size and naturally powerful. <strong>QB Landon Zurliene (@landonzurliene)</strong> has speed, accuracy, instincts, poise in the pocket, and an absolute cannon who can play on the next level. <strong>Camden Robbins (@camdenw03)</strong> is a remarkable athlete and team leader on both sides of the ball with D-1 potential; he is an extraordinary player. Coach invited me to attend one of their practices last fall. Coach Townsend runs timely, organized practice sessions with little wasted motion. They sure play big for being a small school, and if they ever creep into the 4A class one day, they will make noise. For now, Coach will keep grinding for the 3A State Title.</span> Honorable Mention: Impeccable state-ranked kicker <strong>Aaron Araya (@Aaron45795977)</strong> can kick 45-55yd field goals with real power and precise accuracy. Aaron works at his craft daily with a great attitude, determination, and technique perfection. <h4><b>Marion Wildcats, Class 5A, </b><b>Enrollment 1083, </b><b>Head Coach Kerry Martin, 2019 8-2</b></h4> <span style="font-weight: 400;">Kerry Martin has been the HC at Marion HS for 18 years, sporting a 119-68 record. Martin is a highly respected coach throughout southern Illinois for his long-standing success, discipline, and integrity. This spring is likely not to be any different. Led by [player_tooltip player_id="20225" first="Hunter" last="Simmons"],<strong>(</strong></span><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"><strong>@hunt_simm)</strong>, </span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong># 9 QB in Prep Redzone C/O 2021 Rankings</strong>, Simmons has D-1 tools at 6’4 215 big-time arm strength which transitions well for his confidence. <strong>C/O 2022</strong> <strong>Johnathan Tucker</strong>, ATH is a swiss army knife with breakaway speed that can line up anywhere; he is electric and fun to watch.<strong> C/O 2022</strong> <strong>Venson Newsome (</strong></span><strong><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0">@NewsomVenson)</span></strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">, WR, stands tall at 6’3 with long arms, excellent hands, and he should get plenty of deep-ball opportunities. It will be tough to take down these Wildcats in the spring with this offense rolling and Kerry Martin running the show. </span> <h4><strong>Murphysboro Red Devils, Class 4A, </strong><strong>Enrollment 729, </strong><strong>Head Coach Gary Carter, 2019 11-3</strong></h4> State Runner ups Coach Carters Red Devils had a great run with an experienced team in 2019. As we look forward to the 2020 spring season, it seems to have a reliable core of seniors that gained excellent experience from their junior year during the playoff run. While also having an impeccable junior league program, it’s lead to a vast amount of passionate young men steadily rolling in with " Time to go to work attitudes." Starting the 2020 campaign, <strong>C/O 2021 QB Ryan Finke</strong> has varsity experience with valuable rotation time in the 2019 campaign while also adding a playoff win as a starter. <strong>C/O of 2021</strong> <strong>Gavin Kuba</strong> <strong>(@GavinKuba)</strong>, the leading tackler from the safety position, is looking to showcase his ability that he has what it takes to play at the college level.  Anchoring the offensive line with <strong>C/O 2021 OT, Trenton Shepard</strong> will be the big boys’ leader up front and has a high motor with finishes his blocks on any defensive level. <strong>Notable Contributors: Kenny Hale, TE/DE, C/O 2021, Jaquan Jackson, CB C/O 2021, Ashton Caraway, LB C/O 2021</strong> <hr /> <h4><b>Notable Teams / Top Tier Student- Athletes </b></h4> <ul> <li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Edwardsville Tigers 8A- DE [player_tooltip player_id="20909" first="Nasim" last="Cairo"], <strong>(@Cairo_beast)</strong>, RB [player_tooltip player_id="20197" first="Justin" last="Johnson"] Jr, <strong>(@J_ustin26)</strong>, QB [player_tooltip player_id="65075" first="Ryan" last="Hampton"],<strong>(@r_hamp3)</strong>, TE [player_tooltip player_id="20281" first="Mason" last="Ahlers"], <strong>(@ahlers_mason)</strong> </span></li> <li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Carterville Lions 4A- QB [player_tooltip player_id="65080" first="Eli" last="Downen"], <strong>(@DownenEli)</strong>, RB [player_tooltip player_id="65117" first="Preston" last="Sumner"], <strong>(@PrestonDSumner)</strong>, <strong>LB Ivan Jones</strong></span></li> <li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Carbondale Terriers 5A- ATH [player_tooltip player_id="65581" first="Darius" last="Ragland"], <strong>(@Raglandarius)</strong>, LB [player_tooltip player_id="65523" first="Will" last="Bowlby"], <strong>(@WillBowlby RB)</strong> [player_tooltip player_id="65719" first="Gabe" last="Hilliard"], <strong>(@GBucketsCEO)</strong></span></li> <li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mascoutah Indians 5A- DE [player_tooltip player_id="65472" first="Thomas" last="Conroy"], <strong>(@ThomasSConroy)</strong>,<strong> QB Joesph Conroy</strong>, WR [player_tooltip player_id="65231" first="Aiden" last="Jones"], <strong>WR Allen Middleton, (@1AllenMiddleton) </strong></span></li> <li><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">O’Fallon Panthers 8A- QB [player_tooltip player_id="20229" first="Ty" last="Michael"], <strong>DT Giovanoi Sanes</strong>, WR [player_tooltip player_id="20259" first="Latrell" last="Bonner"],<strong> (@BonnerLatrell)</strong>, <strong>OL Jeremiah Hardnett</strong>, </span></span><strong>@jeremiahHardne1</strong>, <span style="font-size: 1rem;">DB [player_tooltip player_id="20935" first="Cyris" last="Davis"], <strong>(@ho11ywoodcy)</strong></span></li> <li><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Mt. Vernon Rams 6A- [player_tooltip player_id="65112" first="Evan" last="Leake"] ATH, <strong>(@evanleake2)</strong>, <strong>S/ATH Anthony Lash</strong>,</span></span> <div class="css-901oao css-bfa6kz r-m0bqgq r-18u37iz r-1qd0xha r-a023e6 r-16dba41 r-ad9z0x r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0" dir="ltr"><span class="css-901oao css-16my406 r-poiln3 r-bcqeeo r-qvutc0"><strong>(@Anthonylash10)</strong>, </span><span style="font-size: 1rem;"><strong>WR Fisher Davis</strong>, <strong>(@FischerJDavis1)</strong>, <strong>OL Everett Mathius</strong>, <strong>(@Everett31350664)</strong>,<strong>RB/ATH, Gabe Luttinen (@gabe_luttinen), Hybrid TE, Caden Plummer, (@plummer_caden), RB/LB Gabe Taylor</strong></span></div></li> </ul>