NORMAL, IL—Loyola arrived in central Illinois on a 22-game road winning streak with back-to-back state titles and an undefeated 2023 season.
The Ramblers that took the field at Illinois State’s Hancock Stadium on Saturday didn’t resemble the team that rolled through opponents last season.
East St. Louis dominated the top-ranked Ramblers in a 34-7 victory that was almost never in doubt.
Loyola coach Beau Desherow said he’s “never seen speed like that.”
The Flyers’ motto is “all gas and no brakes.” East St. Louis is always fast. But it entered the season opener with a legitimate question mark at quarterback.
Kendrick Lyons stepped up. The senior transfer from Granite City was 21 of 24 for 261 yards with four TDs and one interception.
Granite City was 0-9 last season. It’s an impressive leveling up, from winless to playing nearly flawless football against one of the state’s premier programs that prides itself on defense.
“The game plan was to take what they gave us,” Lyons said. “We didn’t do too much. We didn’t try to go over the top, but we did when we had to.”
Lyons enjoyed his first time at quarterback for the Flyers.
“There isn’t speed and talent like that where I camd from,” Lyons said. “So playing with these guys made my life way easier.”
Lyons threw a 26-yard TD pass to Christopher Bennett to open the scoring and then connected with junior Kortez Rupert on a 74-yard TD pass to give East St. Louis a 14-0 lead.
“[Lyons] was accurate and he was poised,” Desherow said.
Loyola (0-1) tried to establish the run early but that never happened. The Ramblers finished with 40 yards on 19 carries. Quarterback Ryan Fitzgerald ripped off a 50-yard run in the first half but nine of Loyola’s carries resulted in no gain or a loss.
“Their size up front was tough to deal with, their speed with their linebackers,” Desherow said. “It was personnel. They are good.”
Loyola’s TD came on a 75-yard fumble return by defensive end Gavin King in the third quarter.
Fitzgerald was 8-for-15 passing for 35 yards.
“I didn’t think it would be this way,” East St. Louis coach Darren Sunkett said. “We thought it would be a lot closer than it was. I’m sure they are going to land on their feet. They have a lot of tradition behind them.”
East St. Louis strikes first. Loyola muffs a punt snap and the Flyers capitalize.
Kendrick Lyons to Christopher Bennett for a 26-yard TD.
ESL leads 6-0, 1Q. pic.twitter.com/pBSS6un09o
— Michael O’Brien (@michaelsobrien) September 1, 2024
Bennett had seven catches for 71 yards for the Flyers (1-0). Lyons connected with five different receivers.
“We aren’t used to being the underdogs so coming in like that was fun,” East St. Louis receiver Laron Baker said. “We came in with the dog mentality to win the game. We don’t like losing.”
Loyola plays at Glenbard West next weekend. The Hilltoppers lost to Batavia in a close game on Saturday.
“We made a lot of mistakes, things you can correct on film and get better at,” Desherow said. “We told the kids that all of our goals are still ahead of us.”