Quarterback Zain Al-Jassim sets new all-time CHS record for passing yards at 3,957
BY JIM BEERS
The Chester High School Football YellowJackets continued their quest for a Cahokia Conference, Illinois Division championship Friday October 4 with a shut out of the Carlyle Indians, 41-0.
The event was played at Chester’s W.O. Smith Field in front of a faithful and excited packed house as the Jackets improved to an overall record of 6-0 and a Cahokia Conference record of 3-0, to remain undefeated.
Chester dominated the game from the opening kick-off and held the Indians scoreless throughout the entire 48-minute game. To accomplish this goal the Jacket defense was relentless and the offense was efficient and productive.
Chester’s Cayden Brunkhorst (3), a senior defensive back, picked up a Carlyle fumble in the first quarter and ran 75-yards for Chester’s second touchdown of the night to extend the YellowJacket’s lead to 13-0. Karim Landeros kicked the extra-point and Chester led, 14-0 early on. For the night Brunkhorst recorded 75 yards, 1 touchdown, 2 solo tackles, and 5 tackle assists. Jim Beers Photo
The Jackets scored consistently each quarter with a pair of touchdowns in both the first and second quarters, to lead, 28-0 at the halftime popcorn break. After the half, the Jackets added one touchdown in both the third and fourth quarters.
Senior running back, Kolton Jany got things started in the first quarter with a 2-yard touchdown run. Karim Landeros, a sophomore kicker, knocked down the extra-point kick and the YellowJackets led, 7-0.
The Jackets defense forced a Carlyle Indian fumble later in the first quarter at which time senior defensive back Cayden Brunkhorst recovered the fumble and raced 75-yards for Chester’s second touchdown. Karim Landeros drained his second extra-point to give the Jackets a 14-0 lead to close the first period.
Senior wide receiver Devante Palacio got into the action in the second quarter and scored on a 66-yard touchdown pass from Zain Al-Jassim. Karim Landeros kicked his third extra-point and Chester led, 21-0.
Chester YellowJacket quarterback Zain Al-Jassim (1) set a new school record Friday October 4 at Carlyle as the Jackets defeated the Indians in a shut out, 41-0. For the night Al-Jassim completed 13-of-15 passes for 265 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for a 22-yard TD. In the process, Zain broke the school record for passing yards set years ago by Nick Meyer. Al-Jassim now had 3,957 passing yards with still three regular-season games left on the 2024 schedule. Jim Beers Photo
To finish the first half, quarterback Zain Al-Jassim took matters into his own hands and scored the Jacket’s fourth touchdown of the game on a 22-yard quarterback-keeper to extend Chester’s lead to 27-0. Karim Landeros remained perfect kicking extra-points and sealed his fourth of the night to give the YellowJackets a 28-0 advantage going into the locker room at halftime.
Chester struck again in the third quarter, this time when senior Brenden Malley scored on a 25-yard touchdown pass from Zain Al-Jassim. That would be the Jacket’s fifth TD of the game. Karim Landeros kicked his fifth extra-point of the game also and the YellowJackets led, 35-0. That score would stand to end the 3rd period.
To cap off the Chester scoring Zain Al-Jassim found Devante Palacio for a 10-yard touchdown pass to extend the YellowJacket lead to 41 points. Karim Landeros attempted his 6th extra-point for the evening, but the kick missed the mark. As the game clock ran out to end both the 4th quarter and the game, Chester led, 41-0, to win the contest.
Coming into the game, CHS quarterback, Zain Al-Jassim and Coach Billy Belton knew that Zain was well within striking distance of breaking the Chester High School Football record for all-time passing yards set years ago by Nick Meyer.
In the win, Al-Jassim completed 13-of-15 passes for a total of 265 yards, 3 touchdowns, and one interception. With his performance, Al-Jassim set a new CHS all-time passing record of 3,957 yards.
The Jackets recorded a total of 367 yards, 265 passing and 102 rushing. The YellowJacket defense held Carlyle to 204 yards, 132 passing and just 72 running. Chester had 17 first downs vs 14 for the Indians. Chester committed just one turnover, an interception. Carlyle had one turnover also, a fumble.
In the rushing category, the YellowJackets were led by Kolton Jany who ran five times for 31 yards and 1 touchdown. Devante Palacio ran twice for 23 yards. Other Chester runners included Zain Al-Jassim (1-22, 1 TD), Ethan Colvis (1-17), Alex Blechle (1-10), Justin Hayman (3-5), and Landen Conder (1-5).
The Jackets had a great evening in the air. Chester recorded 265 passing yards led by Devante Palacio who caught 3 passes for 90 yards and 2 touchdowns. Brenden Malley caught 6 passes for 77 yards and 1 TD. Other YellowJacket receivers included Kolton Jany (1-52), Ethan Colvis (1-26), Justin Hayman (1-10), and Cayden Brunkhorst (1-10).
Chester’s defensive unit was stellar throughout the game, recording 23 solo tackles, 69 tackle assists, 1 quarterback sack, and 5 tackles for as loss. Senior Cayden Brunkhorst also recovered an Indian fumble and ran 75 yards for a YellowJacket touchdown.
Individual performances included senior Devante Palacio who led the defense with 5 solo tackles, 7 tackle assists, 1 quarterback sack, and 4 tackles for a loss. Junior Ethan Colvis had 5 solos and 5 assists.
Other defensive efforts included Nate Maes (3 solos, 2 assists, and 1 tackle for a loss (TFL), Cayden Brunkhorst (2 solo, 5 assists), Tino Rafael (2 solos, 5 assists), Tray Peters (2 solos, 3 assists), Zane Eggemeyer (1 solo, 4 assists), Gene Bicket (1 solo, 4 assists), Lannin Caron (1 solo), Kolton Jany (7 assists), Alex Williamson (8 assists), Morgan Miers (2 assists), and TaShawn Palacio, Alex Blechle, Landon Conder, Jack Heffernan, Jakob Stueve, and Lincon Schroeder with 1 assist apiece.
With the win, the YellowJackets improved to an overall record of 6-0 and a Cahokia Conference, Illinois Division record of 3-0. The Jackets lead the conference. Next up for Chester is a trip up north to Dupo, Illinois Friday October 11, to challenge the Tigers.
Following the win at Carlyle, CHS Head Coach Billy Belton said, “That was a great team win! Cayden Brunkhorst made a great play with that fumble return for a touchdown. That is his second defensive TD of the year.”
“The defense did a great job. They controlled the line of scrimmage all throughout the game. To hold a team like that under 100 yards (72) is a great job. The Defensive line did a great job, and I felt like our linebackers played extremely well.”
Offensively we only had the ball for 31 plays. I credit Carlyle’s offense for keeping the ball away from our offense, however our offense made some big plays! Kolton Jany, Brenden Malley, and Devante Palacio really played well.”
“Zain Al-Jassim had a great game. He broke Nick Meyer’s all-time passing record which is really neat since we all coached both of them. To witness that record-breaking performance was really neat to see. Zain is a great player and he has worked really hard for this.”