The Kahoks probably could not have chosen a worse time or place in the search for their first Southwestern Conference victory of 2013.
When Collinsville (0-6 SWC, 1-7 overall) lines up for kickoff Friday night in Clyde C. Jordan Memorial Stadium, they will be facing an East St. Louis team that has trounced their last four opponents by an average of 42 points per game. The Flyers (4-2 SWC, 5-3 overall) have averaged 50 points per game during the stretch, but have run it up to the tune of 61 points per game at home. To make things more difficult for the Kahoks, East St. Louis must win what is the final regular season game for both teams to guarantee a playoff spot.
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After a humbling 1-3 start for the storied program, East St. Louis has returned to form and climbed to the #6 ranking in the Illinois Associated Press Class 6A poll. The turnaround was a result of focusing on fundamentals and a renewed commitment to the running game, Collinsville Head Coach John Blaylock said.
Stopping the running game is the first priority for Blaylock’s team. “The first thing you have to do is stop their run,” Blaylock said. “If you don’t stop their run, you won’t see their pass.”
The star of the rejuvenated running game is senior Gregory Taylor. Committed to Missouri as a defensive back and listed on the roster as a wide receiver, Taylor is second in the conference in rushing yards despite not having a single carry for the first four games.
Taylor’s 832 yards are 74 fewer than O’Fallon’s Kentrail Moran, who has compiled his league leading total with more than twice the carries as Taylor. In the four games since becoming the Flyers featured runner, Taylor has averaged 208 yards and nearly three touchdowns.
The best way to stop a prolific offense is to keep the ball out of their hands. This has been Collinsville’s philosophy all season, but penalties and turnovers have dogged the Kahoks.
“The team doing the best job of stopping our offense is our offense,” Blaylock said.
Injury has forced junior running back Jamal Wellmaker to play wing opposite a rotating cast in Collinsville’s double-wing formation. Despite defenses keying on Wellmaker, he has managed to become the Southwestern Conference’s third leading rusher.
Expect Collinsville to continue getting Friday night experience for some of the younger players on the roster, as they did against Alton last week. The team is just starting a rebuilding program and Blaylock wants to impress upon the youngsters how much more work they need to do in the weight room to become an elite team. Mental toughness, a higher football IQ and increased strengths are the keys to turning the Kahoks into consistent winners, Blaylock said.
Despite the two programs being at very different stages, Blaylock expects his team to battle Friday.
“The key for all of these guys, especially the seniors, is to play it with no regrets and leave a good example for the younger guys,” Blaylock said.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Clyde C. Jordan Memorial Stadium in East St. Louis. The game will be streamed live at kahoksports.com.
