Musketeers score with 30-seconds left in the game to eliminate YellowJackets from 2023 Class 2A State Football Playoffs
By Jim Beers
CHESTER – Mother Nature did not cooperate with the Round 1 2023 IHSA Class 2A State Football Playoff game hosted by Red Bud Friday October 27. The game pitted the No. 5 Red Bud Musketeers against the No. 12 Chester YellowJackets in what was expected to be a classic battle to the finish.
Last year Chester beat Red Bud, 12-7, in the last seconds of the regular season match-up between the two Cahokia Conference Illinois Division foes at Chester’s W.O. Smith Field. This year Red Bud returned the favor beating Chester, 14-7, in regulation season play in the final seconds at Red Bud.
The first round playoff game in 2023 was predicted to be a real potential knock-down-drag-out, but the terrible weather conditions spoiled this epic drama-filled competition, turning it into a battle to see who would get lucky enough to manage a score on the slick, sloppy, cold field with poor visibility.
When the YellowJackets departed Chester, the temperatures were nearly 80 degrees with clear, sunny skies. It was actually rather hot and required air conditioning on the 30-minute trip to Red Bud.
As players and fans got close to Red Bud, skies had begun to darken a bit with temperatures dropping slightly and skies beginning to cloud up in the distance.
Upon arrival at the Red Bud football field, conditions continued to worsen and fans began to fear the consequences. Most people had brought umbrellas and rain gear just in case, however, most fans believed that the storm front would pass by Red Bud or quickly move through.
By kickoff at 7:00 p.m., it had begun to lightly rain and the wind was picking up and temperatures were dropping rapidly. Shortly after kickoff a down pour began and winds were blowing briskly and it was getting cold. Visibility was poor for players, referees, and football fans. These conditions continued throughout the entire first half of the game, inhibiting either team from executing their previously prepared game plans.
A huge part of both team’s successes throughout the season has been the passing game. Passing in the first half was basically impossible. Running was also greatly hampered due to poor footing and wet, slick, muddy conditions. Neither team was proficient through the first half.
The first half offenses basically consisted of attempting to rush for three plays and then punting. Back and forth this scenario replayed itself. The score was 0-0 after the first quarter and 0-0 at halftime. There was definitely no joy in “MUDVILLE!”
During the halftime break the rain did dissipate for the most part and the wind lessened. The third quarter gave both teams a bit of a break and opportunity to play football without as much interference. Visibility was greatly improved and there was no wall of water hitting them in the face. Temperatures had dropped significantly, however, and field conditions were still wet and slippery.
Throughout the third quarter, both Red Bud and Chester defenses were still on their toes. Offenses continued to struggle, however, and the score was still 0-0 after three quarters of play.
In the fourth quarter moisture became somewhat of a factor once again as a light mist and/or rain began to fall again. Temperatures were still falling and the wind picked up a bit. Both teams continued to struggle offensively and defenses were bolstered by the weather.
It wasn’t until late in the period that both Chester and Red Bud finally made some encouraging advances on offense.
On Chester’s final major possession with less than two minutes to play in the game, the YellowJackets had what appeared to be a potentially winning drive going. CHS quarterback, Zain Al-Jassim then attempted a long pass and the ball slipped out of his hand causing the ball to wobble and miss its intended receiver. Red Bud intercepted the pass and took possession with less than a minute to play.
The interception appeared to energize the Musketeers and their fans. Following a completed pass and with the clock favoring Red Bud, the Musketeers threw one final 10-yard touchdown pass which was caught with approximately 30 seconds remaining in the game. The extra point kick was good and Red Bud led, 7-0.
Chester had approximately 17 seconds remaining to complete a comeback. Following a decent kickoff return, the Jackets lost the ball again and Red Bud took a knee to allow the clock to expire.
The Musketeers improved to an overall record of 8-2 and celebrated a first round victory to advance to the final-16. The YellowJackets were eliminated from the playoffs and took home an overall 2023 season record of 5-5.
CHS Head Coach, Billy Belton said, “I am so proud of our seniors! We had eight amazing seniors this year. They all played a pivotal role this year in the success of the 2023 season. The finish to 2023 didn’t turn out the way we wanted it to, but we still had a very successful season.”
“Our defense led by Trentin Eggemeyer, Gage Hopkins, Garret Hopkins, Nate Heuer, Braxton Conder, and Korbin Jany played amazingly all year. They allowed only 13 points in Cahokia Conference play and they shut out 2-of-the-4 teams we played in conference.”
“Our offense had a great year, led by Aden Runge and Gavin Cowan. We averaged over 100 yards rushing per game and 190 yards passing.”
The seniors led all year long. I’m lucky to have had the opportunity to coach such great kids!”
In the loss, Red Bud ran a total of 58 plays vs Chester’s 53. The YellowJackets accumulated a total of 149 yards. Red Bud recorded 64 yards. Of those yards, Chester had just 47 yards passing and 102 yards on the ground. The Musketeers had 60 yards passing.
Both teams had nine first downs. Chester was 5-of-13 on 3rd downs (38%) while Red Bud was 3-of-13 (23%). Neither team was able to convert on 4th down (0%).
The sloppy, wet, windy conditions helped contribute to Chester’s five turnovers (3 fumbles and 2 interceptions). Red Bud recorded two turnovers, both fumbles lost.
The YellowJackets committed seven penalties, while the Musketeers committed eight penalties.
One of Chester’s biggest offensive strengths this season was its passing game. On this night, CHS quarterback Zain Al-Jassim connected for just 3-of-10 passes (30%) for a total of just 47 yards and two interceptions. Red Bud connected for 7-of-14 passes (50%) for 60 yards and one touchdown.
The Jackets rushed 37 times for 102 yards, led by Aden Runge who carried the ball 10 times for 39 yards. Kolton Jany ran 10 times for 31 yards. Gage Hopkins ran 7 times for 17 yards. Ethan Colvis ran 3 times for eight yards and Zain Al-Jassim scrambled seven times for seven yards.
Chester’s passing game was scarce with Devante Palacio catching 1 pass for 25 yards, Korbin Jany catching 1 pass for 17 yards, and Aden Runge catching 1 pass for 5 yards.
The YellowJacket defense made 25 solo tackles, recorded 30 tackle assists, had 1 quarterback sack, and had 4 tackles for a loss (TFL).
Nate Maes led the defense with 3 solo tackles, 3 tackle assists, 1 quarterback sack, and 2 tackles for a loss. Devante Palacio had 4 solos and 4 assists. Garret Hopkins recorded 3 solos, 3 assists, and 2 tackles for a loss. Korbin Jany had 3 solos and 2 assists. Gage Hopkins recorded 2 solos and 5 assists.
Ethan Colvis and Trentin Eggemeyer each contributed 2 solos and 4 assists. Alex Williamson had 1 solo, 1 assist, and 1 tackles for a loss. Cayden Brunkhorst added 2 solos and 1 assist. Gene Bicket recorded 1 solo and 1 assist. Tray Peters contributed 1 assist.
In addition, Gage Hopkins and Cayden Brunkhorst each recovered fumbles for the YellowJacket defense.
Chester’s 10 juniors will return next year with its 10 sophomores returning. The YellowJackets will have several key players on both offense and defense to lead the 2024 team. Until then, CHS says goodbye to eight key seniors who will be sorely missed.
This is a scene from the first quarter of the First Round Class 2A State Football Playoff at Red Bud Friday October 27. The YellowJackets and Musketeers were facing off in the pouring sheets of rain that fell throughout the entire first half at Red Bud. Neither team scored until the final 30-seconds of the game when Red Bud managed to score on a 10-yard pass play to win the game, 7-0. Jim Beers Photo
Chester’s Devante Palacio (9) reels in a Zain Al-Jassim pass during warm-ups at the Class 2A State Football Playoffs at Red Bud Friday October 27. Unfortunately, shortly thereafter it rained so hard throughout most of the actual game that passing was not a major option for both YellowJacket and Musketeer offenses. Jim Beers Photo
Chester seniors Korbin Jany (12), Garret Hopkins (51), Braxton Conder (14), and Gage Hopkins (10) join CHS Head Coach Billy Belton, referees, and Red Bud players and Hrad Coach for the traditional coin toss prior to the opening kickoff of the First Round IHSA Class 2A State Football Playoff Friday October 27. Red Bud received to open the first half and Chester received to start the second half. Jim Beers Photo
The Chester High School Cheerleaders warm up prior to the start of the Red Bud vs Chester Class 2A State Football Playoff game Friday October 27. The YellowJacket Cher Squad stayed on course throughout the entire game in spite of heavy torrential rains, high winds, and cold temperatures. Jim Beers Photo
Chester quarterback Zain Al-Jassim (1) gets ready to launch one of his 10 passes at the IHSA Class 2A State Football Playoffs Friday October 27. The extreme torrential rain limited Al-Jassim’s passing game vs Red Bud. For the night he was only able to connect for 3-of-10 passes significantly limiting the YellowJacket’s offensive attack. Jim Beers Photo
Aden Runge (2) a Chester High School 6’1″, 185 Lb. senior gets up after running the ball Friday October 27 at the 2023 IHSA Class 2A State Football Playoff game against Red Bud. For the night Runge led the YellowJackets in rushing with 10 carries for 39 yards. He also had 1 pass reception for 5 yards. Jim Beers Photo
The Chester YellowJackets stretch Friday October 27 prior to the start of the 2023 IHSA Class 2A State Football Playoffs at Red Bud. This was prior to the continuous rain, wind, and steadily dropping temperatures struck the Red Bus Football Field. Jim Beers Photo