The East St. Louis Flyers open their 2025 season Thursday at Carey Stadium in Ocean City, New Jersey, taking on Bergen Catholic in a featured matchup of the annual Battle at the Beach Classic. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. CDT.
The Flyers enter the year ranked No. 17 nationally by Rivals.com after finishing 13-1 last season and winning the program’s 11th Illinois high school state championship. Their only loss came in overtime to IMG Academy (FL) in a gritty battle, 14-13. East St. Louis will again play one of the nation’s toughest schedules, with games against three preseason Top 25 teams: Bergen Catholic, IMG Academy (FL), and Bishop Gorman (NV).
Bergen Catholic, ranked No. 12 nationally, has won four consecutive New Jersey Non-Public A state championships under head coach Vito Campanile. The Crusaders went 11-1 in 2024, with their lone loss coming in the season opener against IMG before reeling off 11 straight victories. Bergen Catholic has not lost more than one game in a season since 2019 and has established itself as one of the country’s most consistent programs.
The Battle at the Beach, which runs Aug. 28-30, will feature 10 games across two venues: Carey Stadium in Ocean City and Rowan University’s Wackar Stadium in Glassboro. The three-day showcase includes several nationally recognized programs, including Bergen Catholic, East St. Louis, IMG Academy, and Bishop Gorman.
Fans can listen to Thursday’s game live on 590 KLIS The Lou Information Station, the official radio home of the Flyers, with Maurice Scott on play-by-play. The broadcast will also stream worldwide at LouInfo.com.