Week 3 high school football preview: Belleville East and Althoff renew an old rivarly

Week 3 of the 2024 football season includes several big games, including a throwback battle between Althoff and Belleville East at Township Stadium.

Here is a snapshot of that contest and other key match-ups in the metro-east.

BELLEVILLE EAST LANCERS VS. ALTHOFF CRUSADERS

Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, at Township Staidum on the old Belleville West and Lindenwood University campus.

Althoff coach: Austin Frazier.

2024 record: 2-0.

Week 2 result: The Crusaders traveled to Decatur St. Theresa and left town with a lopsided 61-0 victory. Senior RB Dierre Hill Jr., an Oregon commit, returned a kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown to open the game and also had a 92-yard touchdown run. Sophomore QB Jayden Ellington connected with senior WR Charleston Coldon and freshman WR Logan Thompson on touchdown passes. Sophomores Max Blandina and Steven Brown added touchdowns for Althoff.

Belleville East coach: Michael Harrison.

2024 record: 2-0.

Week 2 result: The Lancers defeated Pekin 28-21 in overtime. Sophomore QB Kingston Jones completed 18 passes for 210 yards and 3 touchdowns. Junior RB Jaedon Beamon rushed for 93 yards on 17 carries, while sophomore WR James Johnson hauled in 5 passes for 88 yards.

2023 matchup: The two teams did not meet in 2023 and, in fact, have not locked horns since 1995 in a game the Lancers won.

Additional Week 2 notes: The Crusaders led 34-0 after the first quarter and never looked back. The Lancers overcame a 14-7 halftime deficit before ultimately prevailing in overtime.

Lookahead to Week 4: After facing the Lancers, the Crusaders will visit Tolono Unity at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20. The Lancers, meanwhile, host East St. Louis at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, in the Southwestern Conference opener for both teams.

NORMANDY (MO.) VIKINGS at BELLEVILLE WEST MAROONS

Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, at Belleville West High School.

Belleville West coach: Ken Turner.

2024 record: 1-1.

Week 2 result: The Maroons lost to Fort Zumwalt West 49-19. Despite the outcome, junior QB Bernard Chapman completed 11-of-17 passes for 324 yards and 3 touchdowns. Additionally, senior WR Michale Sutton grabbed 5 passes for 156 yards, while junior WR Nicholas Hankins caught 3 passes for 115 yards.

Normandy coach/2023 results: Ty Baker. The Vikings went 6-5 in 2023, losing in the second round of the MSHSAA postseason.

2024 record: 0-2.

Week 2 result: The Vikings fell to St. Dominic 56-0.

2023 matchup: The two teams did not meet last season.

Additional notes: With a pair of home games upcoming against teams who are a combined 0-4 entering Week 3, the Maroons have an opportunity to surge above .500 the next 2 weeks. The Vikings have had a rough start to 2024, losing their two games by a combined score of 91-0.

Additional Week 2 notes: Despite the lopsided outcome, the Maroons enjoyed success moving the ball against Fort Zumwalt West.

Lookahead to Week 4: After facing the Vikings, Belleville West opens Southwestern Conference action at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, at home against Alton.

EAST ST. LOUIS FLYERS at PHILADELPHIA IMHOTEP PANTHERS

Kickoff: 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at Philadelphia Imhotep High School.

East St. Louis coach: Darren Sunkett.

2024 record: 2-0.

Week 2 result: The Flyers defeated Newton (Ga.) 28-21 as part of the Gateway Scholars Football Classic at East St. Louis High School. Senior QB Kendrick Lyons completed 11 of 13 passes for 133 yards and 2 touchdowns. Senior RB Larevious Woods and senior RB TaRyan Martin added touchdown runs for the Flyers, while junior WR Armaad Sharp and sophomore WR Laron Baker Jr. grabbed touchdown passes.

Philadelphia Imhotep coach/2023 record: Devon Johnson. The Panthers went 15-0 last season while capturing the 5A state championship in Pennsylvania.

2024 record: 3-0.

Week 3 result: The Panthers defeated Chester (Pa.) 28-24.

2023 matchup: The two teams did not meet in 2023.

Additional notes: Philadelphia Imhotep has a notable list of NFL alumni, including Yasir Durant (New England Patriots) and D.J. More (Chicago Bears).

Lookahead to Week 4: The Flyers open Southwestern Conference action at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at Belleville East.

EDWARDSVILLE TIGERS at JACKSON (MO.) INDIANS

Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, at Jackson High School.

Edwardsville coach/2023 results: Kelsey Pickering. The Tigers went 10-2 in 2023, reaching the IHSA Class 8A quarterfinals before losing to Elmhurst York.

2024 record: 1-1.

Week 2 result: The Tigers lost 22-21 to Lawrence Central, Ind. Junior QB Yale Weaver completed 12 of 17 passes for 120 yards and 1 touchdown. Edwardsville defeated Chatham Glenwood 14-7 in Week 1.

Jackson coach/2023 results: Ryan Nesbitt. The Indians went 10-2 in 2023 and ultimately lost in the quarerfinals of the MSHSAA postseason.

2024 record: 1-1.

Week 2 result: The Indians defeated Cahokia 49-26. In Week 1, Jackson lost Cardinal Ritter 44-7.

2023 matchup: Edwardsville defeated Jackson 30-21.

Additional note: After opening the 2023 season with a loss to Edwardsville, Jackson ripped off 10-straight wins before losing in the Missouri state quarterfinals.

Lookahead to Week 4: Edwardsville opens Southwestern Conference action at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, at home against O’Fallon.

RED BUD MUSKETEERS at BREESE CENTRAL COUGARS

Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, at Breese Central High School

Breese Central coach: Brian Short.

2024 record: 2-0.

Week 2 result: The Cougars defeated cross-town rival Mater Dei 49-13 in the annual Milk Bowl. Senior QB Preston Baker completed 14 of 17 passes for 294 yards and 3 touchdowns. Senior WR Griffen Becker grabbed one of the touchdown passes (77 yards) and also returned a fumble 60 yards for a touchdown. Senior WR Carter Dein grabbed 4 passes for 117 yards and 2 touchdowns. Sophomore Benny Lehman added an 82-yard kick return for a touchdown.

Red Bud coach/2023 results: Dave Lucht. The Musketeers went 7-3 last season, losing to Athens in the second round of IHSA Class 2A playoffs.

2024 record: 1-1.

Week 2 result: After defeating Pinckneyville 35-12 in the season opener, the Musketeers lost to Roxana 57-26 in Week 2. Senior QB Dylan Oliver completed 12 of 16 passes for 147 yards and 2 touchdowns. Fellow QB Landon Ruebusch threw for 114 yards and 1 touchdown.

2023 matchup: Breese Central defeated Red Bud 35-13.

Additional Week 2 notes: The Cougars surged to a 28-0 halftime lead and never looked back, coasting to victory.

Lookahead to Week 4: Both teams officially open Cahokia Conference action at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, as Breese Central (Mississippi Division) travels to Freeburg and Red Bud (Illinois Division) visits Carlyle.

CHESTER YELLOWJACKETS at FREEBURG MIDGETS

Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, at Freeburg High School

Freeburg coach: Ronnie Stuart

2024 record: 1-1.

Week 2 result: The Midgets defeated Jerseyville 41-7. Arkell Vahlkamp rushed for 127 yards on 22 carries.

Chester coach/2023 results: Bill Belton. The Yellowjackets went 5-5 last season and reached the IHSA Class 2A postesason where they lost to Red Bud in the first round.

2024 record: 1-1

Week 2 result: The Yellowjackets defeated Pinckneyville 56-6.

2023 matchup: Freeburg defeated Chester 31-7.

Additional Week 2 notes: Freeburg led 20-0 at halftime and cruised to the victory.

Lookahead to Week 4: Both teams officially open Cahokia Conference action at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, as Freeburg (Mississippi Division) entertains Breese Central and Chester (Illinois Division) faces Sparta.

ALTON REDBIRDS at TRIAD KNIGHTS

Kickoff: 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, at Triad High School.

Triad coach/2023 results: Calvin Potthast. The Knights went 7-4 last season and reached the second round of the IHSA Class 5A postseason where they lost to Joliet Catholic.

2024 record: 2-0.

Week 2 result: The Knights defeated Mount Zion 17-10. Senior QB Isaac Ackerman rushed for 97 yards on 19 carres and completed 11 passes for 138 yards and 1 touchdown.

Alton coach: Cody Markle.

2024 record: 0-2

Week 2 result: The Redbirds lost 42-13 to Quincy.

2023 matchup: Alton defeated Triad 28-24.

Additional note: In the 2023 matchup, Alton scored with just 43 seconds left to erase a 24-21 deficit and snag the victory. It was the Redbirds’ lone win of 2023.

Lookahead to Week 4: Triad opens Mississippi Valley Conference action at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, at home against Waterloo. Alton kicks off Southwestern Conference action at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, at Belleville West.