Illinois-power East St. Louis is never afraid to battle the best high school football teams in the nation. However, the Flyers are taking things to the next level with what will be one of the best schedules in the nation.
ESL is coming off a 10-3 season, but for the second time in three seasons, the Flyers lost to Carey-Grove in the 6A championship game. However, because of its tough out-of-state schedule and a win against national power St. Frances Academy (Maryland), the Flyers still finished No. 83 in the High School Football America 300 national rankings, powered by NFL Play Football.
ESL will open this season (August 31) against Illinois 8A state champ Loyola Academy at a neutral site. The Ramblers, who finished No. 32 in our Top 300 last season, have won back-to-back titles.
The Flyers home opener will come on September 7 against Newton from Georgia. The Rams finished 8-3 last year, which included multiple weeks in our national rankings.
In Week 3 (September 14), East St. Louis will play another state champ, Imhotep Charter from Philadelphia. The Panthers won the 5A Pennsylvania state championship while finishing No. 70 in the HSFA 300.
The Flyers will then start their in-state schedule with matchups against Belleville East (September 21), O’Fallon (September 28), Belleville West (October 5), Alton (October 11) and Edwardsville (October 18).
ESL closes-out the regular season against national-power IMG Academy (Florida). The Ascenders finished last year ranked No. 5 in the HSFA 300.
