MASCOUTAH — Midway through the season, Belleville East's James Johnson and his senior football teammates had to take a hard look at themselves in the mirror.
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Belleville East seniors Kingston Jones (left) and James Johnson talk to ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´ Post-Dispatch reporter Paul Halfacre after the Lancers defeated Mascoutah 41-21 on Friday evening.
Belleville East's Amir Brown (5) runs with the ball during a football game on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Mascoutah High School in Mascoutah, Ill.
Mascoutah's Sean Murphy (22) runs with the ball during a football game on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Mascoutah High School in Mascoutah, Ill.
Photos: Belleville East rolls past Mascoutah 41-21 in regular-season finale
Belleville East's Dewonde Taylor (6) runs with the ball during a football game on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Mascoutah High School in Mascoutah, Ill.
The Mascoutah junior ROTC unfold the flag before a football game on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Mascoutah High School in Mascoutah, Ill.
Mascoutah runs onto the field before a football game on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Mascoutah High School in Mascoutah, Ill.
Belleville East's Dewonde Taylor (6) runs with the ball during a football game on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Mascoutah High School in Mascoutah, Ill.
Belleville East's Kingston Jones (4) hands off to Dewonde Taylor (6) during a football game on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Mascoutah High School in Mascoutah, Ill.
Belleville East's Dewonde Taylor (6) runs with the ball during a football game on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Mascoutah High School in Mascoutah, Ill.
Belleville East's Dewonde Taylor (6) runs with the ball during a football game on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Mascoutah High School in Mascoutah, Ill.
Mascoutah's Kaleb Arnold (3) attempts to haul in the reception during a football game on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Mascoutah High School in Mascoutah, Ill.
Belleville East's Tru Washington (28) runs with the ball during a football game on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Mascoutah High School in Mascoutah, Ill.
Belleville East's James Johnson (7) runs with the ball during a football game on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Mascoutah High School in Mascoutah, Ill.
Belleville East's Tru Washington (28) attempts to get out of the tackle during a football game on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Mascoutah High School in Mascoutah, Ill.
Mascoutah's Sean Murphy (22) runs with the ball during a football game on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Mascoutah High School in Mascoutah, Ill.
Belleville East's Jordan Williams (11) makes an interception during a football game on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Mascoutah High School in Mascoutah, Ill.
Belleville East's Jordan Williams (11) attempts to keep the ball out of the end zone during a football game on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Mascoutah High School in Mascoutah, Ill.
Belleville East's James Johnson (7) runs with the ball during a football game on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Mascoutah High School in Mascoutah, Ill.
Mascoutah's Sean Miller (62) makes a tackle during a football game on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Mascoutah High School in Mascoutah, Ill.
Mascoutah's Jack Hilgendorf (1) rolls to his right during a football game on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Mascoutah High School in Mascoutah, Ill.
Mascoutah's Sean Murphy (22) runs with the ball during a football game on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Mascoutah High School in Mascoutah, Ill.
Fireworks are shown during a football game on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Mascoutah High School in Mascoutah, Ill.
Belleville East's Tru Washington (28) runs with the ball during a football game on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Mascoutah High School in Mascoutah, Ill.
Belleville East's Kingston Jones (4) looks to make a pass during a football game on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Mascoutah High School in Mascoutah, Ill.
Mascoutah's Kaleb Arnold (3) runs with the ball during a football game on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Mascoutah High School in Mascoutah, Ill.
Mascoutah's Noah Collins (23) runs with the ball during a football game on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Mascoutah High School in Mascoutah, Ill.
Belleville East tackles Mascoutah's Jack Hilgendorf (1) during a football game on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Mascoutah High School in Mascoutah, Ill.
Mascoutah's Jack Hilgendorf (1) runs with the ball during a football game on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Mascoutah High School in Mascoutah, Ill.
Mascoutah's Jayden Seitz (6) runs with the ball during a football game on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Mascoutah High School in Mascoutah, Ill.
Mascoutah's Jack Hilgendorf (1) runs away from the pressure during a football game on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Mascoutah High School in Mascoutah, Ill.
Belleville East's James Johnson (7) runs with the ball during a football game on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Mascoutah High School in Mascoutah, Ill.
Belleville East's Kingston Jones (4) makes a pass during a football game on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Mascoutah High School in Mascoutah, Ill.
Belleville East's Amir Brown (5) runs with the ball during a football game on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Mascoutah High School in Mascoutah, Ill.
Mascoutah's Sean Murphy (22) runs with the ball during a football game on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Mascoutah High School in Mascoutah, Ill.
Belleville East's James Johnson (7) attempts to haul in the pass during a football game on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Mascoutah High School in Mascoutah, Ill.
In this Series
How ×îÐÂÐÓ°ÉÔ´´-area football teams fared in Week 8
Paul Halfacre | Post-Dispatch
Sports Reporter
