Fri, Sep 25, 2026 / Week 6
at Edwardsville (IL)
W 35-0
FinalAwayRegular seasonCounts toward record
IL Public School Football
Illinois
2026 record
5-1
Fri, Sep 25, 2026 / Week 6
at Edwardsville (IL)
W 35-0
Fri, Sep 18, 2026
vs. Belleville East (IL)
W 61-0
Fri, Sep 11, 2026 / Week 4
vs. O'Fallon (IL)
W 64-6
Fri, Sep 4, 2026 / Week 3
vs. Gainesville (GA)
W 24-21
Fri, Aug 28, 2026 / Week 2
at American Heritage (FL)
L 28-35
No upcoming games are connected to this team yet.
Current national rank
No. 22Head coach
Darren Sunkett
Mount Carmel is the measuring-stick opener. American Heritage requires the Flyers to travel to Plantation, Florida, for the Broward County Classic Football Showcase. Gainesville completes the opening run. The rest of the schedule gives East St. Louis six straight Illinois opponents. O’Fallon, Belleville East and Edwardsville arrive before the road trip to Belleville West; Alton and Naperville North close the regular season. Aug. 22 — Mount Carmel Aug. 28 — at American Heritage (Plantation, Fla.) Sept. 4 — Gainesville (Ga.) Sept. 11 — O’Fallon Sept. 18 — Belleville East Sept. 25 — at Edwardsville Oct. 2 — at Belleville West Oct. 9 — Alton Oct. 16 — at Naperville North
Reece Shanklin — QB, 2027 Shanklin started the 2025 Class 6A title game and returns as the quarterback for his senior season. His decision-making against elite competition will determine whether East St. Louis can turn its speed and run-game talent into a complete offense. Myson Johnson-Cook — RB, 2027 Johnson-Cook is committed to Auburn. He ran for 1,341 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2025 and scored two rushing touchdowns in the state final. He is the player opponents must solve first. Laron Baker Jr. — WR, 2027 Baker is back for his senior season. He gives Shanklin a returning target and gives the Flyers a way to punish defenses that overcommit to Johnson-Cook.
Rankings
Week 5 changed the T25PS Top 100 behind an unchanged top five. Massillon climbs 11 spots, Edna Karr reaches #25, and each team’s result and résumé appear below.
Top 25 Public HSFB / 23 min read
Coverage
The IHSA approved the Flyers’ request to compete in Class 7A instead of Class 6A, [Mike Clark of the Chicago Sun-Times first reported](https://x.com/mikeclarkpreps/status/2099981573181313518). [Andy Villamarzo of Rivals
Top 25 Public HSFB / 1 min read
Rankings
Thompson remains #1 as T25PS ranks the nation's top 100 public-school teams, with 14 new entries and a concise résumé for every program.
Top 25 Public HSFB / 27 min read