High School Football: How to watch No. 17 East St. Louis (Ill.) vs. No. 12 Bergen Catholic (N.J.)

The Battle at the Beach Classic heads into Day 1 over at the historic Carey Stadium in Ocean City, New Jersey, with a couple great matchups taking place this evening.

First up is the home state Bergen Catholic Crusaders, ranked No. 12 in the country, as they welcome in the No. 17-ranked East St. Louis Flyers from Illinois. Let’s take a look at some players to watch in today’s game.

Flyers to Watch

The East St. Louis Flyers are coming off a season in which they won Illinois’ Class 6A state championship playing one of the toughest schedules in the country. Now East St. Louis begins the 2025 campaign with a difficult slate of non-conference games over on the Jersey Shore against New Jersey’s top team in Bergen Catholic. The Flyers are a younger squad compared to previous teams, but still maintain the title of the best out of Illinois.

ATH Myson Johnson-Cook: The junior star athlete should pack a punch on the offensive side of the ball for the Flyers. In 2024, Johnson-Cook rushed for 911 yards on 88 carries (10.4 yards per carry) and scored 14 touchdowns for DeSoto (Texas).

WR Kortez Rupert: The three-star receiver, who committed to Indiana back in June, hauled in 24 passes for 660 yards and eight scores as a junior. Rupert should be in line for a huge 2025 season and will put up more than 1,000 receiving yards and 10 scores.

WR Laron Baker: Another wide receiver that Bergen Catholic will need to keep tabs on is the junior pass catcher alongside Rupert. Baker is coming off a solid sophomore season where he caught 29 passes for 401 yards and scored three touchdowns.

CB Raheem Floyd: Floyd is one of the top defensive backs in all of the Midwest is had himself a strong 2024 season for the Flyers. The four-star senior cornerback in 2024 compiled 76 tackles and intercepted five passes.

Crusaders to Watch

There’s little doubt when it comes to if Bergen Catholic is New Jersey’s best team as they’re once again loaded on both sides of the ball. What remains to be seen, however, is who exactly may be at the controls of the Crusaders’ offense. There’s a chance Bergen Catholic could be rolling out freshman Walker Snee, who is the grandson of former NFL head coach Tom Coughlin.

EDGE Jackson Vaughn: The sophomore defensive end is heading into his second season of playing varsity ball, but the four-star talent has certainly garnered the attention of every college around the country.

WR Bryan Porter: As a sophomore last season, Porter had a minor role on offense but will be expected to contribute a lot more this fall as a junior. In 2024, Porter hauled in 24 passes for 220 yards and a touchdown.

RB Najee Calhoun: Calhoun spent the first two seasons of his high school football career at Donovan Catholic and now will be the likely featured back at Bergen Catholic. Last year, the 5-foot-10 running back rushed for over 1,000 yards and scored 20 touchdowns.

DL Jermaine Kinsler: Pairing with Vaughn on the defensive line, Kinsler heads up a stout Bergen Catholic front seven after a strong junior campaign. The four-star defensive lineman has already committed to Texas A&M.

How to Watch the East St. Louis Flyers vs. Bergen Catholic Crusaders Football Game

Date: Today, August 28, 2025
Time: 4 p.m. ET
Location: Carey Stadium, Ocean City, N.J.
Livestream: FloSports

How to Follow the East St. Louis Flyers vs. Bergen Catholic Crusaders Football Game

For high school football fans, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the state, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the gridiron excitement across the country.

For even more in-depth coverage of Illinois high school sports, and to chat with other fans, visit EdgyTim.com.