YellowJacket Football ‘holds its own’ in scrimmage against Carbondale Terriers
By Jim Beers
CHESTER – CHS held a fall sports athletes “meet and greet” Friday August 23 at W.O. Smith Field. The event was attended by a large crowd of YellowJacket fans who were eager to get “Up Close and Personal” with their favorite athletes.
Friday’s event began at 5:00 p.m. as Senior Football Moms (moms of CHS senior football players) and their senior sons held a 30-minute photo session. Moms were able take both individual and group photos with their senior players to create lasting memories of their son’s final season at Chester High School as a YellowJacket Football Player.
The public was invited to attend an open photo session from 5:45-6:14 p.m. with athletes from each fall sport. Admission to the evening’s event was a bottle of Gatorade or some other sports drink. Cans of soup were also accepted which were donated to the food pantry.
A large crowd of parents and friends of athletes was on hand to meet on W.O. Smith Field at CHS to take photos of-and-with athletes of all levels, freshmen through senior. At the end of the photo session time slot, Stadium Announcer, Luke Lochhead, had to announce several times that the time for photos had ended and that it was time to “Meet the Athletes”.
At 6:15 p.m. the Football YellowJackets and the Carbondale Terrier Football Team took the field for pre-scrimmage warm-ups. This is the first year that IHSA Teams were allowed to conduct their pre-season scrimmages against another IHSA team. In prior years teams had to scrimmage against players from their own teams.
The “live” scrimmage against an opposing team brought out many more fans than usually attend the fall football scrimmage, formerly known as the “Soap Game”, “Soup Game”, or “Gatorade Game”.
This year’s scrimmage was even more special to many YellowJacket fans due to the fact that the Carbondale Terriers are coached by former YellowJacket Head Coach, Bryan Lee. It was a special night at W.O. Smith Field for Coach Lee for him to be back on the field where he once coached.
After warm-ups, all fall athletes gathered on the field by the north end of the bleachers. At 6:40 p.m. the introduction of fall sports athletes began, under the coordination of Chester High School Athletic Director, Jennifer Cartwright. Luke Lochhead did the honors of introducing the players and other athletes.
The first sport to be introduced was Lady Jacket Volleyball. The Jackets are coached by Colleen Runge, Head Coach, and Reese Chandler, Assistant Coach.
2024 Volleyball players include the following 25 young ladies:
Freshmen: Addy Jany, Ashley Garcia-Sanchez, Hannah Crow, Jaden Bert, Kailin Jany, Marci Ahring, Marlie Caby, Taelyn Cleland, Taylor Korando, and Vanessa Greene.
Sophomores: Aleah Eggemeyer, Aubrey Colvis, Ava Bert, Avery Hasemeyer, Brooke Howie, Hailey Yankey, Joella Eggemeyer, and Peyton Parker.
Juniors: Camryn Wolff, Erin Liefer, Lexie Mott, and Maggie Caby. Seniors: Elaina Lutman, Gianna Eggemeyer, and Olivia Earl.
The second sport to be introduced was Cross Country. The 2024 group of runners includes just five athletes. The Boy’s Team includes Senior Will Welge and Juniors Ivan Hobbs, Victor Fuentes, and Ivanovich Duran. The lone member of the Girl’s Team is Freshman Jaimy Duran. The Cross Country Team is coached by Chris Kern.
The 2024 Golf Program boasts a total of 18 golfers, nine boys and nine girls. The Boy’s Golf Team includes Seniors: Max Blechle, Noah Homan, and Evan Dunning; Sophomores Logan Brace, Trevin Eggemeyer, Tallen James, Kross Jany, and Aidan McKinney; and Freshman Logan Springston. The Boy’s Team is coached by Jaden Mott, Head Coach, and Paul Zemlyn, Assistant Coach.
The Girl’s Team includes Senior: Rylie Conley; Juniors: Macy Bert, Rylie Myers, Riley Lochhead, Jessica Stumpe, and Addison Gottschammer; Sophomore: Monica Anaya; and Freshmen: Mallorie Homan and Addison Coffey. The Lady Jackets are coached by Meg Schnoeker, Head Coach.
The next fall group to be recognized was the 2024 CHS Dance Team. This year’s CHS Dance Team consists of 15 young ladies, including five seniors, three juniors, three sophomores, and four freshmen.
Seniors include Mirra Krieg, Tia Martinez, Emma Murphy, Whitney Sulser, and Summer Valleroy. Juniors include Hayden Cartwright, Annah Helvey-Ahring, and Southern LaChance. Sophomores include Aubrey Petrowske, Macy VanZandt, and Katie Werner. Freshmen include Jaden Bert, Jaimy Duran, Grace Irose, and Justice Mattingly.
The Dance Team is coached by Adrianne Kern, Head Coach. She is assisted by Bailey Misuraca and Emily Eggemeyer.
Following the introduction of the Dance Team the 2024-25 CHS Cheerleaders were introduced. This athletic group has 16 members including three seniors, three juniors, six sophomores, and four freshmen.
Seniors include Peyton Cole, Kourtney House, and Elaina Lutman. Juniors include Callie Davis, Natalie Guetersloh, and Camryn Wolff. Sophomores include Elizabeth Dickneite, Brooke Howie, Olivia Sellers, Vacey Shields, McKenzie Studt, and Zoey Tucker. Freshmen include Ashlynn Addison, Caitlyn Hargis, Addie Jany, and Kaylin Jany.
The CHS Cheerleading Team is coached by Danielle Laramore. She is assisted by Cassi Helmers.
The final sport to be recognized was Football. The 2024 CHS Football Program features a total of 57 players, including 13 seniors, 12 juniors, 13 sophomores, and 19 freshmen.
Seniors include Zain Al-Jassim, Justin Hayman, Cayden Brunkhorst, Lannin Caron, Lincon Schroeder, Kolton Jany, Devante Palacio, Jack Heffernan, Brenden Malley, Tino Rafael, Gene Bicket, Nate Maes, and Alex Williamson.
Juniors include Gabe Coffman, Tray Peters, Zay Coffman, Derrius Shoemate, Reed Creason, Ethan Colvis, Denis Vasquez, Brayden Juenger, Trevor Keeton, Morgan Miers, Jakob Stueve, and Caleb Coffey.
Sophomores include Alex Blechle, Zane Eggemeyer, Cameron Albaugh, TaShawn Palacio, Kanon Jany, Landen Conder, Anthony Armenta, Ryker Hoffman, Braxton Hahs, Karim Landeros, Logan Brace, Jackie Hess, and Trey McCartney.
Freshmen include Anthony Keeton, Danny Worley, Bently Valleroy, Trenton Tucker, Landon Murphy, Eagan McClelland, Hayden Haslett, Rhett Creason, Jaden Ramirez, Reagan Sims, Logan Laramore, Paxton Beam, Brock Fuller, Nathan Rhoads, Matt Hecht, Avery Wittenborn, Gage Lynn, Brandon Korando, and Donnie Sabo.
Following the conclusion of the introduction of all fall sports teams, the annual football scrimmage began precisely at 7:00 p.m. All three units had an opportunity to try out their skills under game conditions. Each team, Varsity, JV, and Freshmen, were allowed to run a maximum of 48 plays beginning with the Varsity, followed by the JV and Freshmen.
The Varsity scrimmaged first, under the direction of Head Coach, Billy Belton and Assistant Coaches Curt Eggemeyer, Charles Colvis, Danny Roth, Mike Heffernan, Mike Riggio, Matt Colvis, Daigen Hunter, Tim Mueller, and Doug McDonald.
The Varsity squad, which boats 38 players this season, played well against Carbondale on both offense and defense. Coach Belton said, “I was really proud of our boys, especially considering that Carbondale has approximately 1,100 students. We have a student population of about 323 kids. I saw bright spots on both offense and defense. It was a successful evening. We should have a good team and much success if everybody stays healthy!”
The JV squad has 22 players for the 2024 season. They are coached by Charles Colvis. He is assisted by Mike Heffernan, Matt Colvis and Daigen Hunter. The JV looked good and likewise held their own against the Terriers. There were some really good plays on both offense and defense and the JV squad has the potential to be very successful and productive during the 2024 season.
The Freshmen team scrimmaged last and demonstrated that they have much potential this year! The rookies are coached by Mike Heffernan. He is assisted by Matt Colvis and Daigen Hunter.
This year the young squad of beginners boasts a total of 19 players, a great representation from the new high school athletes. The boys work hard and listen to their coaches as they begin their journey as high school football players at CHS.
The evening was deemed a huge success and the community of Chester demonstrated that they are ready to come out and support the Jackets at all three levels. The new format of introducing all fall players at this event was fantastic and showed that all athletes at CHS are loved and appreciated.
CHS Principal, Jeremy Blechle, and his concessions crew did an amazing job of providing a wonderful array of both hot food and tasty treats for the event. Jennifer Cartwright, CHS Athletic Director, did a great job of organizing and supervising the event. The 2024 Meet and Greet of fall athletes was a huge success and should be continued in years to come!
A large crowd attended the 2024 Chester High School Fall Sports Meet & Greet Friday August 23 at W.O. Smith Field. Jim Beers Photo
A total of 57 football players were introduced at the 2024 Fall Sports Meet and Greet at Chester High School. The 2024 CHS Football Program boasts 13 seniors, 12 juniors, 13 sophomores and 19 freshmen. Jim Beers Photo
Chester High School Cheerleaders take a brief photo after being introduced at the 2024 Fall Sport Meet and Greet Friday August 23 at CHS W.O. Smith Field. Jim Beers Photo
The Chester High School Dance Team was introduced at the 2024 Fall Sports Meet & Greet Friday August 23. Jim Beers Photo
The Chester High School Lady Jacket Volleyball Team posed for a photo after being recognized at the 2024 Fall Sports Meet & Greet Friday August 23 at CHS W.O. Smith Field
The 2024 CHS Cross Country Team features a total of five runners including four boys and one girl. Four were present at the 2024 CHS Fall Sports Meet and Greet including (in no particular order) Jaimy Duran, Ivan Hobbs, Victor Fuentes, and Ivanovich Duran. Not present: Will Welge. Jim Beers Photo
The 2024 Chester High School Golf Program boasts a total of 18 golfers, 9 boys and 9 girls. This group of linksters was introduced at the 2024 Chester High School Fall Sports Meet & Greet Friday August 23 at CHS W.O. Smith Field. Jim Beers Photo
During the 2024 Football Scrimmage vs the Carbondale Terriers, Chester Kolton Jany (8), a 5’11, 185 Lb. senior running back, ran for a first down with excellent blocking from his teammates. Jim Beers Photo
Chester High School senior quarterback, Zain Al-Jassim (1) gets set to throw one of his many successful passes with great protection from fellow senior player Tino Rafael (34) in the annual football scrimmage Friday August 23. This year high school teams were allowed to scrimmage against other IHSA teams. Chester’s scrimmage featured the YellowJackets vs the Carbondale Terriers. Jim Beers Photo