East St. Louis quarterback Reyondous Estes only completed five passes on Saturday but three of those went for touchdowns as the Flyers beat Plainfield North, 26-13, in the Illinois High School Association Class 7A state football championship.
Estes hit Jeff Thomas three times for 105 yards and two of the scores. James Knight caught the other touchdown, and Eric Owens returned an interception 85 yards as East St. Louis (14-0) built a 26-0 lead before two late scores by the Tigers (11-3).
Tyler Hoosman rushed for 77 yards, and Brady Miller added 63 on the ground for Plainfield North. Miller also threw for 130 yards. Connor Peplow had seven receptions for 55 yards.
Saturday's championship game was the subject of much scrutiny in the days prior, as Plainfield North advanced to the match by defeating Fenwick High School after an IHSA referee's error.
Fenwick was up 10-7 on Plainfield North in the semifinals on Nov. 19 when the team’s quarterback threw the ball incomplete on the fourth down looking to run out the clock.
The rules should say game over, giving Fenwick the win, but instead the referee mistakenly called a grounding penalty that allowed Plainfield North one free play. Plainfield North ended up being able to use the play to tie the game with a field goal, and went on to win in overtime.
The IHSA admitted that the official made an error, but that they could not change the outcome of the game.
Fenwick filed a lawsuit against the IHSA seeking to overturn the loss, in an effort to "protect the rights and rightfully earned opportunities of its students," according to the school.
A Circuit Court of Cook County judge ruled against Fenwick, allowing Plainfield North to compete in Saturday's title game.
