No. 9 Trojans escape W.O. Smith Field with 26-14 win to advance to Round 2 vs. No. 1 Johnston City
By Jim Beers
CHESTER – The No. 8 seeded Chester YellowJackets came into the 2025 IHSA Class 2A State Football Playoffs with a first round home playoff game at W.O. Smith Field at Chester High School. Their opponent was the No. 9 seeded Maroa-Forsyth Trojans, from Maroa, Illinois. Maroa is located near Decatur, Illinois.
Chester entered competition with an overall record of 8-1, and a Cahokia Conference, Illinois Division undefeated record of 5-0, and back-to-back conference championships. Maroa-Forsyth came to town with an overall 7-2 record with wins over Athens (48-7), Pleasant Plains (68-21), Auburn (48-14), Porta (63-0), Riverton (56-0), Pittsfield (46-6), and New Berlin (44-34). Their only losses came from Olympia (50-36) and Williamsville (39-20).
Chester faced Maroa-Forsyth last year in Round 2 of the IHSA Class 2A Playoffs. At the Trojan’s battlefield, Chester fell, 28-7, after making it to the round of 16 remaining teams. The Jackets knew that in spite of a lower seed and a 7-2 record, Maroa-Forsyth would be a formidable foe and a tough team to face.
The YellowJackets came into the playoff game on a 6-game winning streak. They hadn’t lost since Week 3 when they fell by just four points, 33-29 at West Frankfort in a highly contested game. West Frankfort scored with just seconds left in that game to win by only four points. Also, in that loss, Chester had “two touchdowns” called back for penalties in those final seconds that could have made a huge difference in the outcome.
In the regular season the Jackets won over East Alton-Wood River (55-0), Pinckneyville (53-7), Sparta (27-0), Wesclin (42-20), Carlyle (42-21), Dupo (38-37), Red Bud (42-18), and Nashville (29-19). The only loss was to West Frankfort (33-29).
Chester came into the game vs. Maroa-Forsyth prepared, confident, but not over-confident, and ready to defend their home turf. Both Chester and Maroa-Forsyth had big crowds and the weather was finally “fall-like” with crisp temperatures and a slight breeze. The recent rain had the field much softer, but it was a bit wet in some places and both teams fell victim to some insecure footing occasionally. Most of the game was under rather cloudy skies, and it even sprinkled a few times.
The Trojan’s playoff trip got off on a rather bad note. They scheduled a travel day the night before playoffs to avoid fatigue and travel time on the day of the game. Rooms were reserved at a Murphysboro, Illinois hotel for Friday night. The team and staff reported at Maroa-Forsyth High School to board their busses for the nearly 4-hour drive to Murphysboro.
Upon arrival to board the busses, they found out that there had been confusion regarding the date of departure, and there were no busses scheduled to carry them on Friday. By the time the mishap was corrected, and new busses were located to carry the Trojans, their departure was held up significantly resulting in a late arrival at the Murphysboro hotel until 11 p.m. Friday night.
Apparently, that mishap did not cause any major performance alterations on Saturday at the game, because from the opening kickoff, the Trojans appeared to be on task and played without any significant disadvantages in execution.
Maroa-Forsyth won the coin toss and elected to receive the opening kickoff to start the game. On that kickoff, a Trojan ‘special teams’ member received the ball, but slipped on the wet grass on his first step and could not advance on the kickoff return. The Trojans started their first possession on their own 19 yard line.
Chester’s defense held them on their first two plays from scrimmage, but then, 11 plays and three first downs later, Trojan quarterback, # 2 Ryne Sheppard, a 5’10”, 181 Lb., senior, scored the first touchdown of the game on a 15-yard run at the 6:12 mark. # 23 Lucas Cline, a 5’7”, 125 Lb. sophomore kicker, kicked the extra point, and the Trojan’s led, 7-0 after successfully burning all but 6:12 off the clock and meticulously working their way down the field 81 yards for the touchdown.
Chester responded beautifully, when special-teams member, # 17 Danny Worley, a 5’8”, 165 Lb., sophomore running back, returned the ball to the Chester 22-yard line. Five very quick and beautifully executed plays later, Chester scored its first touchdown of the game on a 3-yard run from # 25 Ethan Colvis, a 6’1”, 195 Lb. senior running back.
To set up that touchdown play, Alex Blechle, a 5’9”, 165 Lb., junior, took the ball all the way down the field, very deep into the Maroa-Forsyth red zone. Chester faced 2-and-goal. Four plays later, Colvis struck gold. Karim Landeros, Chester’s ace kicker, kicked the extra point and the score was tied 7-7 with 3:39 left to play in the first quarter.
On the Trojan’s next possession, the YellowJacket’s defense did a great job of stopping the Trojan’s advancements. Facing 4-and-14, the clock ran out to end the first quarter. The score was tied, 7-7. All looked great for Chester after one quarter of play!
Facing 4-and-14, Maroa-Forsyth had to punt to open the second quarter (12:00) .Chester’s Ethan Colvis ran for 2-yards to open the Jacket’s next possession and Trey McCartney caught a Tray Peters pass for a 9-yard gain for a 1st down (11:15).
Chester then hit a brick wall the next four plays and was forced to punt after losing eight yards. Karim Landeros’ punt was rushed and only went a short distance (9:07). Three plays later, Trojan quarterback, Ryne Sheppard, scored Maroa-Forsyth’s second touchdown of the game. Lucas Cline kicked his second extra point of the game, and the Trojans suddenly led, 14-7 (7:45).
On Chester’s next possession, the Jacket’s had two penalties. After seven plays and gaining only 10 yards. CHS had to punt facing 4-and-13 (4:48). On Maroa-Forsyth’s first play from scrimmage, quarterback Ryne Sheppard found an open receiver who ran 76 yards for the Trojan’s third touchdown of the game. Lucas Cline’s kick was broken up by the Chester defense. The Trojan’s extended their lead to 13 points, 20-7 (4:25).
That opening seven minute- and-35 seconds was possibly the difference-maker in the outcome of the game. Two Trojan touchdowns in-a-row, broke the 7-to-7 tie and possibly the YellowJacket’s back, so-to-speak!
On Chester’s next possession, the Jackets got a first down when TaShawn Palacio caught a Tray Peters pass for 10 yards (4:20). Colvis ran for 3-yards, but a block in the back on the next play took CHS back five yards. Two failed passes later, Chester turned the ball over on downs (2:05).
The next 2:05, Maroa-Forsyth used their time to run 12 plays, achieving three first downs. After the third 1st down, the YellowJackets held the Trojans to 4-and-20 (0.8). Maroa-Forsyth went for it and Chester defended successfully. Even with a 9-yard pass reception, the Trojans were still short two yards and turned the ball over on downs. Chester let time run out and the Trojans took a 20-7 lead into the locker room at halftime.
The 3rd quarter was a defensive battle. Chester took the opening kickoff and ran the ball to their own 29 yard line on a TaShawn Palacio kickoff return. Ethan Colvis ran for a 1st down on the first play from scrimmage (11:54). A Trojan face mask penalty gave Chester 15 more yards (11:44). All looked bright for the YellowJackets to open the 3rd quarter.
Alex Blechle then ran 9-yards and Ethan Colvis got another 1st down on a 40-yard run (11:27). On the next play, Tray Peters had to scramble to avoid a Trojan rush, but he reached another 1st down for CHS (11:04). That play reached Trojan territory at the 45 yard line.
On the next play, Ethan Colvis reached 1000-yards rushing for the 2025 season with his 12-yard carry. YellowJacket fans helped Colvis celebrate the accomplishment. That run also took the Jackets to the Trojan 31 yard line (9:19).
Just when all was looking good for Chester, a 5-yard off-sides penalty and a failed pass to TaShawn Palacio had the Jackets facing 3-and-13 (9:15). On the next play, Tray Peters ran for eight yards and the Jackets faced 4-and-5 (8:12). On the next play, with the ball on the Trojan 28-yard line, Jacket fans thought that CHS had reached another first down.
Officials called for a measurement and ruled that the YellowJackets were short of reaching a first down! That decision turned the ball over to Maroa-Forsyth on downs (8:06).
This was another key detriment to the outcome of the game for Chester, as they had moved the ball deep into Trojan territory and another four downs could have very well brought Chester another score. Instead, a very hard-fought, successful drive was spoiled, and the Jackets had to give Maroa-Forsyth the ball back with 8:06 remaining in the 3rd quarter. The Trojans still lead, 20-7.
Maroa-Forsyth started their possession on their own 23 yard line. Five plays later they had achieved two first downs and were at Chester’s 36 yard line. Back-to-back offensive holding penalties halted the Trojan drive and with 3:52 on the clock, Chester’s TaShawn Palacio sacked Trojan quarterback, Ryne Sheppard to force a Trojan punt (3:13).
Chester had the ball for the final 2:59 of the third quarter. The Jackets started on their own 22 yard line. A spoiled Blechle-to-Colvis play resulted in an 8-yard loss (2:01). With the ball on Chester’s 14 yard line, The Jackets were called for a block-in-the-back (1:56). Ethan Colvis then ran for minus four yards (1:56). With the ball on the Chester 1-yard line, Tray Peters connected with TaShawn Palacio for seven yards which put the ball back on the Chester seven yard line with 24 seconds remaining.
The 3rd quarter ended on a bright note for Jacket Nation as TaShawn Palacio broke a school record for receiving yards that was set by Jim Howie years ago. Howie recorded 860 yards in a single season and TaShawn broke that record with a total of 900 yards during the 2025 season. TaShawn came into the game needing only 37 yards receiving to set the new school record and on his last reception, he set the new school record.
The third quarter was a hard-fought defensive battle with neither team scoring. Both teams came close to scoring, however, but both team’s defenses held the other from getting across the goal line and into the other’s end zone. As the horn sounded to end the 3rd quarter, Maroa-Forsyth still led, 20-7.
CHS had to punt to start the 4th quarter. The Trojans ran just three plays during their next possession. On the third play from scrimmage the Jacket defense forced a Maroa-Forsyth fumble and Chester had the ball at the 40 yard line with 11:14 to play in the game.
The Jackets were determined to fight to the finish and gained three 1st downs during the 10-play possession. Tray Peters ran for 4-yards to kick things off. He then ran a pitch to Alex Blechle, who ran for a first down. Blechle and Peters combined on back-to-back runs for a second first down, taking the ball to the Maroa-Forsyth 34 yard line (8:15).
On the Jacket’s next play, Peters found TaShawn Palacio who caught a 12-yard pass for another first down. The ball was on the Trojan’s 28 yard line (7:20). Facing 4-and-2, Ethan Colvis scored his second touchdown of the game on a 2-yard run. Karim Landeros kicked the extra point and the YellowJackets were just six points away (20-14) from tying the game with 5:50 to play in the game.
On the kickoff, the YellowJackets were off sides and had to re-kick. Landeros had attempted an on-sides kick in efforts to get the ball back. On the re-try from 5-yards further back, Landeros tried again. The kick was quickly recovered and the Trojans had the ball at the Chester 48 yard line with 5:48 to play.
Seven plays and three first downs later, the Trojans struck for their fourth time with a 7-yard quarterback keeper when Ryne Sheppard scored six points. The extra point attempt was no good. With 2:51 left on the clock, Maroa-Forsyth extended its lead to 12 points, 26-14.
Down by two touchdowns and just 2:51 on the clock, Jacket Nation was saddened but not down-and out. Hope still filled the crowded CHS grandstands that the Jackets could pull off a miracle finish and advance to Round 2 of the 2025 IHSA Class 2A State Football Playoffs.
Unfortunately it just wasn’t in the cards for Chester this year. On the kickoff, TaShawn Palacio ran the ball back to the Chester 37 yard line. On the first play from scrimmage, Trey McCartney caught a sweet 12-yard pass from Tray Peters for a first down (2:38). On the next play, Tray Peters was sacked by the Trojan defense for a 12-yard loss (2:29). Facing 2-and-22, Peters next pass attempt was intercepted and that was basically the end of the game.
The Trojans held the ball till the clock ran out and No. 9 Maroa-Forsyth upset No.8 Chester, 26-14, to advance to the next round. With the win, Maroa-Forsyth improved their record to 8-2 and the YellowJackets ended their 2025 season at 8-2 overall and 5-0 in the Cahokia Conference, Illinois Division.
In the game, the Jackets ran 52 plays and the Trojans ran 57 plays. Chester recorded 175 yards (99 passing & 76 rushing) and Maroa-Forsyth accumulated 383 yards (170 passing & 213 rushing). The Jackets had 11 first downs and the Trojans had 19 first downs. Chester was 1-for-8 in 3rd down situations (12%) and the Trojans were 4-of-7 (57%).
Chester’s Tray Peters completed 7-of-16 passes (43.75%) with one interception. For the 2025 season Peters tied the CHS record for passing touchdowns with 25. That number tied the record set by Zain Al-Jassim. The Trojan’s Ryne Sheppard completed 10-of-16 passes (62.5%) witrh 2 touchdowns.
Chester’s TaShawn Palacio caught 5 passes for 76 yards. In the process he set a new school record with 900 pass receptions in a single season. The previous record was 860 receptions set by Jim Howie. Trey McCartney caught two passes for 23 yards. As a team, the YellowJackets recorded 7 receptions for 99 yards.
The Trojans recorded 10 pass receptions for a total of 170 passing yards and 1 touchdown. Troy Pulliam caught 2 passes for 28 yards. Cayden Birmingham caught 3 passes for 18 yards. D. Shannon caught 2 passes for 15 yards. The rest of the Trojan lineup caught 3 passes for 109 yards and 1 touchdown.
The Jackets ran 28 times for a total of 76 yards. Both of Chester’s touchdowns came from runs by Ethan Colvis. He reached 1000 yards rushing for a single season in his senior year (2025). Alex Blechle ran 6 times for 26 yards. Tray Peters ran 8 times for 25 yards. Ethan Colvis ran 14 times for 25 yards and 2 touchdowns.
The Trojans ran 35 times for a total of 213 yards. Quarterback Ryne Sheppard ran 18 times for 113 yards and three touchdowns. Jordan Watters ran 11 times for 57 yards. He fumbled the ball once. Gunnar Larner ran 3 times for 44 yards. The rest of the team ran 3 times for -3 yards.
On defense Chester had 16 solo tackles, 30 tackle assists, 1 quarterback sack and 2 tackles for a loss. Danny Worley led with 7 solo tackles and 4 tackle assists. TaShawn Palacio had 6 solo tackles and 2 assists. Other key contributors included Derrius Shoemate (3 solos, 2 assists), Lannin Conder (1 solo, 1 quarterback assist, 1 tackle for a loss), and Zane Eggemeyer (1 solo, 2 assists, 1 tackle for a loss).
Ethan Colvis had 1 solo and 6 assists. Karim Landeros had 1 solo and 5 assists. Kanon Jany had 1 solo and 2 assists. Trey McCartney and Morgan Miers each added 4 assists. Isaac Sims and Brayden Juenger each recorded an assist.
Head Coach, Billy Belton said, “I am so proud of the boys and how hard they played all season. 8-2 is a great record, along with back-to-back Cahokia Conference Championships! It was a great year! Today didn’t end the way I wanted it to, but I loved how we fought all game long!”
“It is nice to see Ethan Colvis hit 1000 yards rushing for his senior year, and TaShawn Palacio break the single season record for receiving yards with 900. Tray Peters also tied the record for passing touchdowns in a single season with 25.”
“I am so proud of our seniors and how hard they worked in their careers here at Chester High School. They were 0-6 in their freshman season. They worked extremely hard in the weight room and during summer workouts. To start out 0-6 and work up to 8-2 is very impressive. Their record speaks volumes about their character and work ethics!”
“I want to thank the seniors for their great year and I am going to miss them. I know they will go on to bigger and better things. I am very excited about their futures. The juniors, sophomores, and juniors are also a great group of players and individuals!”
I want to thank my coaches for a great year. This is a great coaching staff and they did a great job. A special thanks to Matt Colvis in his first year as Head JV Coach. The JV finished the season undefeated 8-0 and as Cahokia Conference JV Champions. He did a great job with the JV and assisted with Varsity.
”The loss ended No. 8 Chester’s season (8-2). No. 9 Maroa-Forsyth (8-2) will host No. 1 Johnston City (10-0) next Saturday November 8 at Maroa, Illinois.
Chester’s Ethan Colvis # 25 scores the first YellowJacket touchdown of the 2025 IHSA Class 2A Playoffs game. This accomplishment occurred on a 3-yard run at the 3:39 mark of the 2nd quarter. Karim Landeros kicked the extra point to tie the game 7-7. Colvis would score Chester’s only other score in the 4th quarter at the 5:50 mark to get the Jackets within six points, 20-14. In the game, Colvis reached the 1000-yard rushing mark for a single season. It was a great accomplishment for his final season as a YellowJacket as he is a senior. Jim Beers Photo
YellowJacket quarterback, Tray Peters # 16, passes under good protection from teammates Ethan Colvis # 25, Karim Landeros # 55, Jackie Bess # 59, and Jakob Steuve # 75 in the Class 2A Playoff game against Maroa-Forsyth. Peters is a senior and tied the school record for single-season passing touchdowns set by Zain Al-Jassim at 25. Jim Beers Photo
TaShawn Palacio # 11, a Chester High School junior wide receiver, is being tackled by Maroa-Forsyth’s Cayden Birmingham # 3 and Connor Heneghan #35 after catching a Tray Peters pass. In the 2025 IHSA Class 2A State Football Playoff game vs Maroa-Forsyth, Palacio broke a Chester High School record for most receiving yards in a single-season when he reached the 900-yard mark. The previous record was set by Jim Howie who had 860 receiving yards on a single season. Jim Beers Photo
CHS junior, Alex Blechle # 3, scrambles left in the playoff game Saturday November 1, when No. 8 Chester hosted No. 9 Maroa-Forsyth. In the game, Blechle red the Jackets in rushing with six runs for a total of 26 yards. He also recorded 1 solo tackle and 1 tackle assist on defense. Jim Beers Photo
Chester YellowJacket kicker, Karim Landeros #55, kicks off Saturday November 1 when the Jackets hosted Maroa-Forsyth in Round 1 of the Class 2A IHSA State Football Playoffs. Landeros was also 2-for-2 kicking extra points for CHS. Jim Beers Photo
The Chester High School Dance Team performed at halftime and pregame of the 2025 IHSA Class 2A State Football Playoff game Saturday November 1. The team is coached by Adrianne Kern. Jim Beers Photo
The 2025 CHS Cheerleaders performed at the pregame of the Chester vs Maroa-Forsyth playoff game Saturday November 1 at CHS W.O. Smith Field. The group also led YellowJacket fans throughout the entire game in cheering-on the Jackets The squad is led by Head Coach Paige Gendron. Jim Beers Photo
The Chester High School YellowJacket Football Team took the field Saturday November 1 for the IHSA Class 2A State Football Playoffs. With the 26-14 loss to Moroa-Forsyth, it was the final time the Jackets would take the field until next season of 2026. Jim Beers Photo
Chester YellowJacket players and Maroa-Forsyth players meet in the center of Chester’s W.O. Smith Field for the traditional coin toss prior to the opening kickoff of the 2025 IHSA Class 2A State Football Playoff game. Pictured are Yellowjacket seniors Tray Peters # 16, Brayden Juenger # 53, Jakob Stueve # 75, and Ethan Colvis # 25. Trojan players include Ryne Sheppard # 2, Cayden Birmingham # 3, Troy Pulliam # 9, and Zach Smith # 12. to the left Chester Head Coach, Billy Belton and Maros-Forsyth Head Coach Josh Jostes shake hands. Officials include Johathan Green, Referee, Mark Goldsman, Linesman, Darren Jenkins, Umpire, Arthur Ashbrook, Line Judge, and Douglas, Back Judge. Jim Beers Photo
Following the game, both teams met center field at Chester’s W.O. Smith Field for the traditional Sportsmanship exchange. Both Chester and Maroa-Forsyth played a great game, and both deserved praise for playing a clean and orderly contest. After all, it was Round 1 of the 2025 IHSA Class 2A State Football Playoffs, hosted by Cheser High School. Jim Beers Photo
Maroa-Forsyth wide receiver Cayden Birmingham #3 dives for a pass thrown by Trojan quarterback, Ryne Sheppard # 2 at the Round 1 IHSA Clas 2A State Football Playoffs histed at Chester High School. Chester’s Derrius Shoemate # 2 and Danny Workley # 17 were there to defend, however, Birmingham was unable to make the catch. Jim Beers Photo
Chester’s top wide receiver TaShawn Palacio # 11 is successfully defended by Maroa-Forsyth wide receiver Cayden Birmingham #3, in the Class 2A State Playoff game Saturday November 1. In spite of this successful pass breakup, Palacio still managed to catch enough of Tray Peters throws to break the CHS school record of most receiving yards in a single season with 900 yards. He broke Jim Howie’s previous record of 860 receiving yards. In the game, Palacio 5 passes for a total of 76 yards. He only needed 37 yards to break the record and set his own new school record. Jim Beers Photo
Maroa-Forsyth quarterback Ryne Sheppard # 2 runs a quarterback-keeper around the left side Chester defense in the Round 1 playoff game Saturday November 1 at CHS. Chester’s TaShawn Palacio # 11 and Zane Eggemeyer, # 7, pursue Sheppard, but didn’t catch him until, he had reached a Trojan 1st Down, In the game, Sheppard ran 18 times for a total of 113 yards and three touchdowns. He also threw the 76-yard pass that was Maroa-Forsyth’s other touchdown. Jim Beers Photo
Chester players Karim Landeros # 55 and Danny Worley # 17 come to the rescue of Ethan Colvis # 25 after he made a terrific run, deep into Trojan Territory in the 2025 IHSA Class 2A State Football Playoff game Saturday November 1. Maroa-Forsyth’s Troy Pulliam # 9 and Grady Rose # 14 had just forced Colvis out of bounds, but not before Colvis had achieved a YellowJacket FIRDST DOWN! To the left, TaShawn Palacio had just blocked Maroa-Forsyth’s Graham Blackwell # 75 \, from getting to Colvis. Jim Beers Photo