East St. Louis celebrates after beating Geneva to win the Class 6A football state championship at Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. Paul Halfacre, ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ
NORMAL, Ill. — East St. Louis High senior quarterback Kendrick Lyons is ready to talk some smack.
To his father Kindle.
Kendrick threw for 225 yards and two touchdowns to help the Flyers knock off Geneva 48-28 in the Class 6A football state championship game Saturday afternoon at Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University.
The younger Lyons one-upped his father, who played quarterback at East St. Louis before graduating in 2000.
Dad never reached the title game during his playing days.
“I’ll get in his face; I’ll say a few things,†Kendrick said. “But, it’ll be joking.â€
The Flyers (13-1) had a strong all-around performance to claim their 11th overall championship and fourth since 2016.
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Lyons served as the triggerman of a high-octane offense that amassed 548 yards and scored seven times against the Vikings (12-2), who came into the game known for their staunch defense.
The 5-foot-11-inch transfer from Granite City High hit on 14 of 21 passes and threw for two scores.
Most importantly, he provided the leadership for an offense that scored at least 48 points in each of its last five games.
“Just doing what I’m able to do,†Lyons said.
East St. Louis, which won its last five games, displayed one big-time play after another in rushing out to a 20-0 lead it never relinquished.
Senior running back Larevious Woods ran for 113 yards and three touchdowns. Sophomore receiver Ronnie Gomiller hauled in five passes for 128 yards and two scores. Senior Christopher Bennett Jr. provided one of the day’s highlights with an eye-popping 84-yard kickoff return late in the first half.
“We just executed, we’ve been doing that all season,†East St. Louis veteran coach Darren Sunkett said. “And it all starts with Kendrick.â€
Lyons went from a winless season to a state champion in one year. He threw for just 327 yards with Granite City (0-8-1) last season.
This time around, Sunkett gave him the keys to the Cadillac.
And Lyons responded in championship fashion with 27 TDs and three interceptions this season.
“We all knew about him before he got here,†said Bennett, who rushed for 76 yards and caught a team-best six passes in addition to his punt return. “Right from the start, he just fit right in with the rest of us.â€
Lyons got better as the season went along. He really shined in postseason play, including four touchdowns and 434 passing yards in a quarterfinal victory at Chatham Glenwood.
“Everyone around here helped me feel like I belonged,†Lyons said. “They made it easy for me.â€
Gomiller, like Bennett, came up huge at the perfect time. He fashioned an 81-yard catch-and-run midway through the third period that helped the Flyers regain the momentum after Geneva had climbed to within 34-28.
“Go, that’s all I did,†Gomiller said, referring to his last name.
East St. Louis came out with a point to prove after dropping a 23-20 decision to Cary-Grove in last year’s title game.
“We remembered that, it was fire for us,†said Bennett, who is bound for Lindenwood University.
Woods got the ball rolling with a 6-yard scoring burst up the middle just under four minutes into the contest.
After the defense stiffened with a hold on fourth down, the Flyers pushed the lead to 13-0 on a nifty 4-yard TD toss from Lyons to Gomiller.
Woods then kept the offense cruising with a 21-yard scoring run.
Geneva scored twice in the second period sandwiched around a 4-yard TD gallop from TaRyan Martin.
Bennett followed with his kickoff return that helped the Flyers take a 34-21 lead into the break.
The Vikings scored on their first possession of the second half to climb to within 34-28. Lyons and Gomiller then connected on the long play for a two-possession advantage.
The East St. Louis defense bent but did not break and made several key stops in the second half.
Ultimately, the Flyers simply had too much offense, averaging 8.3 yards per play from scrimmage.
“They’ve got weapons all over the field,†Geneva coach Boone Thorgesen said. “A lot of weapons everywhere.â€
The Flyers even displayed some rare place-kicking skills. Sophomore Reece Shanklin made five extra points, including a 35-yarder, after a penalty.
“I think we did almost everything right today,†Bennett said. “It feels good.â€
Class 6A football state championship: East St. Louis 48, Geneva 28
East St. Louis senior Christopher Bennett Jr. (3) celebrates after crossing the line during the Class 6A football championship game at Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. Paul Halfacre, ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ
East St. Louis sophomore Laron Baker Jr. (1) attempts to make a reception during the Class 6A football championship game at Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. Paul Halfacre, ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ
East St. Louis celebrates after beating Geneva to win the Class 6A football state championship at Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. Paul Halfacre, ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ
East St. Louis sophomore Raheem Floyd (26) celebrates after an interception during the Class 6A football championship game at Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. Paul Halfacre, ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ
East St. Louis senior Larevious Woods (5) runs with the ball during the Class 6A football championship game at Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. Paul Halfacre, ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ
East St. Louis senior Kendrick Lyons (8) passes the ball during the Class 6A football championship game at Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. Paul Halfacre, ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ
East St. Louis junior Caleb Brown (54) makes the tackle during the Class 6A football championship game at Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. Paul Halfacre, ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ
East St. Louis junior Leon Howard (21) tackles the ball carrier during the Class 6A football championship game at Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. Paul Halfacre, ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ
East St. Louis senior Quintin Kirby (7) makes a tackle on Geneva senior Talyn Taylor (1) during the Class 6A football championship game at Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. Paul Halfacre, ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ
East St. Louis senior Keandre McClendon (9) celebrates with the trophy after the Class 6A football championship game at Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. Paul Halfacre, ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ
East St. Louis sophomore Amir Tilman (25) runs with the ball during the Class 6A football championship game at Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. Paul Halfacre, ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ
Geneva senior Anthony Chain (12) throws the ball during the Class 6A football championship game at Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. Paul Halfacre, ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ
East St. Louis senior Christopher Bennett Jr. (3) runs with the ball during the Class 6A football championship game at Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. Paul Halfacre, ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ
East St. Louis senior Kendrick Lyons (8) celebrates after the Class 6A football championship game at Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. Paul Halfacre, ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ
East St. Louis coach Darren Sunkett celebrates after the Class 6A football championship game at Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. Paul Halfacre, ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ
East St. Louis senior Quincy Minor (24) celebrates with junior Jordan Henderson (75) after the Class 6A football championship game at Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. Paul Halfacre, ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ
East St. Louis senior Larevious Woods (5) celebrates after a touchdown during the Class 6A football championship game at Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. Paul Halfacre, ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ
East St. Louis sophomore Ronnie Gomiller (2) scores a touchdown during the Class 6A football championship game at Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. Paul Halfacre, ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ
East St. Louis senior Kendrick Lyons (8) celebrates after the Class 6A football championship game at Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. Paul Halfacre, ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ
East St. Louis sophomore Ronnie Gomiller (2) gets flipped for a tackle during the Class 6A football championship game at Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. Paul Halfacre, ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ
East St. Louis senior Larevious Woods (5) runs with the ball during the Class 6A football championship game at Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. Paul Halfacre, ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ
East St. Louis senior Christopher Bennett Jr. (3) celebrates on his way to the endzone during the Class 6A football championship game at Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. Paul Halfacre, ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ
East St. Louis senior Quincy Minor (24) makes an interception during the Class 6A football championship game at Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. Paul Halfacre, ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ
East St. Louis junior Caleb Brown (54) runs to the ball during the Class 6A football championship game at Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. Paul Halfacre, ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ
Geneva senior Finnegan Weppner (8) makes a reception during the Class 6A football championship game at Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. Paul Halfacre, ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ
East St. Louis senior Larevious Woods (5) signals a first down during the Class 6A football championship game at Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. Paul Halfacre, ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ
East St. Louis senior Christopher Bennett Jr. (3) returns a kick during the Class 6A football championship game at Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. Paul Halfacre, ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ
East St. Louis senior Kendrick Lyons (8) throws the ball during the Class 6A football championship game at Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. Paul Halfacre, ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ
East St. Louis senior Kendrick Lyons (8) runs with the ball during the Class 6A football championship game at Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. Paul Halfacre, ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ
East St. Louis sophomore Raheem Floyd (26) deflects a pass during the Class 6A football championship game at Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. Paul Halfacre, ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ
East St. Louis senior TaRyan Martin (6) signals the Ã’ring meÓ celebration during the Class 6A football championship game at Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. Paul Halfacre, ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ
East St. Louis senior Larevious Woods (5) celebrates after a touchdown during the Class 6A football championship game at Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. Paul Halfacre, ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ
East St. Louis senior Shamon Hamilton (50) celebrates after the Class 6A football championship game at Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. Paul Halfacre, ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ
East St. Louis senior Christopher Bennett Jr. (3) runs with the ball during the Class 6A football championship game at Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. Paul Halfacre, ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ
East St. Louis senior Larevious Woods (5) runs the ball during the Class 6A football championship game at Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. Paul Halfacre, ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ
East St. Louis senior Larevious Woods (5) celebrates during the Class 6A football championship game at Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. Paul Halfacre, ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ
East St. Louis senior Shamon Hamilton (50) celebrates after the Class 6A football championship game at Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. Paul Halfacre, ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ
East St. Louis senior Kendrick Lyons (8) runs with the ball during the Class 6A football championship game at Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. Paul Halfacre, ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ
East St. Louis assistant coach Brandon Gregory celebrates during the Class 6A football championship game at Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. Paul Halfacre, ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ
East St. Louis celebrates after beating Geneva to win the Class 6A football state championship at Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, Ill.Â
East St. Louis senior Elmo Gilliam Jr. (19) signals Ã’ring meÓduring the Class 6A football championship game at Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. Paul Halfacre, ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ
East St. Louis assistant coaches celebrate after the Class 6A football championship game at Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. Paul Halfacre, ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ
East St. Louis senior TaRyan Martin (6) celebrates with assistant coach Trevor Dismuke after the Class 6A football championship game at Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University in Normal, Ill. Paul Halfacre, ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ
