Jackets shut out Carlyle 34-0; improve to 2-0 in conference and 3-3 overall
By Jim Beers
CHESTER – Friday September 29 the Chester YellowJackets traveled to Carlyle for Game No. 2 in the Cahokia Conference race. The Jackets shut out the Indians 34-0 to improve to 2-0 in the Cahokia Conference Illinois Division and to even their record to 3-3 overall.
Chester kicked to Carlyle on the opening kickoff and forced the Indians to turn over the ball over on downs right “off-the-bat” in their opening possession.
Chester senior Nate Heuer, a 6’1″, 205 Lb. offensive and defensive lineman has a great game against Carlyle and made several key plays which were instrumental in shutting-out the Carlyle Indians, 34-0 Friday September 29 on the road. In the win, Heuer had 8 solo tackles, 2 assists, 1 quarterback sack, and 4 tackles for a loss. He also blocked an Indian punt, recovered a fumble and scored a touchdown on a fullback 5-yard run. Jim Beers Photo
The YellowJackets came out hot as they proceeded to score on each of their first three possessions of the first quarter. Devante Palacio scored at the 8:43 mark on a 38-yard pass from Chester quarterback Zain Al-Jassim. CHS kicker Karim Landeros kicked the extra point and Chester led, 7-0
Chester’s stingy defense held Carlyle on their first possession and forced them to turn the ball over again on downs.
On Chester’s second possession, the Jackets got two first downs in the two minutes that they had the ball. Facing 1st and goal, Zain Al-Jassim handed off to Gage Hopkins who ran two yards for a touchdown. Karim Landeros kicked the extra point and the Jackets extended their lead to 14-0 at the 3:10 mark.
Once again the Chester defense was tough and held the Indians to 4-and-out forcing Carlyle to punt with 1:50 remaining in the opening quarter.
The Jackets ran the punt to their own 40 yard line. Gage Hopkins ran for a first down on the opening play from scrimmage. Kolton Jany had a great 19-yard run on his first try of the night. With 11-seconds to play in the period, Zain Al-Jassim found Aden Runge for a 17-yard touchdown pass. The kick missed the mark, but the Jackets led, 20-0 at the end of the first quarter.
Carlyle had the ball to start the second quarter. They had several good plays to begin the possession and were moving the ball well. Facing 3-and-7 at the 10:17 mark, Chester’s Kolton Jany intercepted an Indian pass to end the Carlyle drive.
On Chester’s first possession of the second quarter, the Jackets achieved three first downs and seemed to be on its way to another touchdown when Carlyle put the brakes on the Jacket offense. CHS turned the ball over on downs at the 4:29 mark.
Chester then held Carlyle to 4-and out forcing the Indians to punt at 3:29. Carlyle then returned the favor and forced Chester to turn the ball over on downs.
The Indians achieved two first downs on their possession and appeared to be ready to challenge the YellowJackets. Chester’s defense then went to work once again and ruined a beautiful long bomb, hail, Mary pass that could have scored.
On the next play, Chester’s Denis Vasquez sacked the Carlyle quarterback. On the next play, CHS lineman Nate Heuer, blocked a Carlyle punt and Denis Vasquez recovered the loose ball with: 41 to play in the half. The block by Heuer was his second in as many weeks.
On the next play, Chester’s Aden Runge scored his second touchdown of the game on a 4-yard run. This time Landeros got back his “mojo” and kicked a good extra point. Chester led, 27-0 to end the first half.
The third quarter was a draw with neither team scoring. Chester and Carlyle both turned the ball over on downs on their first possessions. Then they both had to punt on their next possessions. The third quarter ended with the score still at CHS 27- Carlyle 0.
Chester opened the 4th quarter with the ball and yet another turnover on downs. Carlyle took over and on the first play from scrimmage, Chester’s Nate Heuer recovered a fumble that gave Chester the ball back at the 9:32 mark.
Two plays later Nate Heuer shifted from the offensive lie to fullback and scored the Jacket’s last touchdown of the game on a 5-yard run. Karim Landeros kicked the extra point and the YellowJackets led, 34-0 with 7:45 left in the game.
The rest of the game Carlyle turned the ball over on downs on their first possession on a 4-and-out situation and had to punt on their final possession. The Jackets were forced to punt on their first possession and had the clock run out on their final possession of the game.
With the win Chester improved to 3-3 overall and 2-0 in the Cahokia Conference. Carlyle fell to 2-4 overall and 1-2 in the Cahokia Conference.
Against Carlyle Chester ran 62 plays vs Carlyle’s 56 plays. The YellowJackets had a total of 301 yards (129 passing and 172 rushing) and Carlyle had 128 yards (54 passing and 74 rushing). CHS had 14 first downs and Carlyle had seven first downs.
The Jackets were 5-of-11 in 3rd down efficiency (45%) and the Indians were 1-for-13 (8%). The Jackets did not turn the ball over in the win. Carlyle committed two turnovers (1fumble and 1 fumble). Chester was called for five penalties (50 yards) while Carlyle had two penalties (15 yards).
Chester’s Zain Al-Jassim passed for 129 yards. He connected on 7-of-19 passes (37%) for two touchdowns.
Chester caught 7 passes for a total of 129 yards led by Devante Palacio with 1-for-38 and 1 TD; Kolton Jany 2-for-37; Aden Runge 2-for-26; Gage Hopkins 1-for-2 and 1 touchdown; and Korbin Jany 1-for-6.
The Jackets had a good night of rushing with a total of 172 yards led by Kolton Jany with 15 runs for 64 yards; Gage Hopkins 5-for-30; Aden Runge 4-for-14 and 1 TD; Gene Picket 1-for-6; Nate Heuer 1-for-5 and 1 TD; Ethan Colvis 2-fdor-2; and Logan Jausel 1-for-1; plus 50 other misc. yards.
Chester’s defense was once again very tough with 39 tackles, 24 tackle assists, 1 quarterback sack, and 13 tackles for a loss.
Nate Heuer was a monster on defense with 8 solo tackles, 2 assists, 1 sack and 4 tackles for a loss. Kolton Jany had 6 solos, 3 assists, and 1 tackle for a loss; Gage Hopkins had 4 solos, 2 assists and tackle for a loss; Devante Palacio had 4 solos, 3 assists, and 1 tackle for a loss; Alex Williamson had 3 solos, 2 assists, and 2 tackles for a loss; Trentin Eggemeyer had 3 solos and 1 tackle for a loss.
Other defensive players included Gene Bicket 2 solos; Ethan Colvis 2 solos, 1 assist, and 1 TFL; Korbin Jany 1 solo, 3 assist, and 1 TFL; Braxton Conder 1 solo and 3 assists; Nate Maes 1 solo and 2 assists; Gage Hopkins 1 solo and 2 assists; Justin Hayman 1 solo and 1 assist; Cayden Brunkhorst 1 solo; and Denis Hernandez 1 solo.
Kolton Jany had a key interception and Nate Heuer had a key fumble recovery as well as a blocked punt.
Head Coach Billy Belton said, “Carlyle was a really good team. Hey played Tuscola, Nashville and Red Bud and were averaging 20-points a game coming into our contest.”
“Our defense played lights out against Carlyle. We were very physical on both sides of the ball. Nate Heuer had a heck-of-game with a blocked punt and a key fumble recovery. He had 8 solo tackles, 2 tackle assists, 1 quarterback assist, and 4 tackles for a loss. He has had a great year!”
“I think we may have had a bit of a let-down in the second half. We were up 27-0 and possibly didn’t play with as much intensity.”
“This week we play a good Dupo team. They have a good sophomore quarterback who likes to pass and they have a pair of really good receivers. We will need to be more consistent and cannot allow homecoming activities to distract us!”