Monday was “Follow Your Dreams Day”; Tuesday featured “Tangled Hair Day”, Powder Puff Football game, and Bon Fire & Pep Rally.
By Jim Beers
CHESTER – Monday through Saturday, September 16-21, is Chester High School Homecoming Week. The CHS Student Council and “HIVE” Pep Club have been busy planning and implementing lots of fun-filled activities for each day of the week.
This year’s theme is titled, “Tangled” and everything is based or centered on the Disney movie, “Tangled”.
Monday September 16 was “Follow Your Dreams Day” when students dressed in apparel that fit their dream career.
Tuesday September 17 was action-packed with a dress-up day titled, “Tangled Hair Day”. On this day students wore their hair as if they didn’t really cared what it looked like.
In addition students and staff were encouraged to wear their custom made class T-shirts. Class colors included, Carolina Blue for freshmen; Cherry Red for sophomores; Heather Radiant Orchid for juniors; and Azalea for seniors. Staff had traditional orange shirts.
Tuesday afternoon at 5:15 P.M. was the annual Homecoming Powder Puff Football games which featured the freshmen, sophomore, junior, and senior girls in a three-game tournament to determine who would be the 2024 Homecoming Powder Puff Champion.
Games had just 10-minute halves and the girls played on just half of the field. The tournament was set up with the seniors playing the freshmen in Game 1. Game 2 featured the juniors vs the sophomores. The winners of those two semi-final games faced off in Game 3 to determine the champion.
Game 1 had the Azalea Team (seniors) facing the Carolina Blue Team (freshmen). The seniors busted two back-to-back touchdowns in the opening minutes. The first TD scored six points and a two-point conversion for eight points. The second earned six points, but the extra point attempt failed and the seniors led, 14-0 at the half.
The freshmen turned the ball over on downs on their first possession. The seniors scored a third time with 6:00 left in the game and the seniors extended their lead to 20-0.
The freshmen turned the ball over on downs on their next possession and the seniors used that opportunity to score yet a fourth touchdown with just .15 remaining in the game. The extra-point attempt failed and the seniors led, 26-0 to end the game and advance to the Championship game. The freshmen team was eliminated.
Game 2 featured the Heather Radiant Orchid Team (juniors) vs the Cherry Red Team (sophomores). This game was long-and-drawn out, with neither team able to establish either a running game or passing game. At halftime the score was tied, 0-0.
The second half was identical to the first with nether team scoring. Both teams turned the ball over on downs at each possession. At the end of regulation play, the score was still tied, 0-0, forcing a 5-minute overtime “sudden death” playoff.
In the overtime, the juniors had the ball first. They managed to score a touchdown in the opening 10-seconds of the overtime. They ran for the extra-conversion and earned two more points. The juniors led, 8-0.
With just 3:45 remaining in the O.T., the referees decided to give the sophomores an opportunity to tie or win the game. They were not able to accomplish that goal and were eliminated from the tournament by a score of 8-0. The juniors advanced to compete for the title in the Championship game.
Game 3 was the Championship game which featured to seniors (Azalea Team) and the juniors (Heather Radiant Orchid Team).
The juniors received first and turned the ball over on downs. The seniors followed suit and after getting a first down, went 3-and-out, turning the ball over on downs. The juniors had the ball the rest of the first half and let the clock run out before they could score.
The seniors started the second half and turned the ball over on downs. The juniors then completed a 12-yard pass to kick off their first possession, but could not score on the possession and turned the ball over on downs.
On the senior’s second possession, they took the ball with 4:30 left in regulation play and threw three incomplete passes. They turned the ball over on downs.
The juniors took possession with just 1:35 to play. They completed a good pass then earned a first down on a run. They then called a timeout to set up a play. With: 27 left on the clock, the juniors scored on a pass play to take a 6-0 lead.
With just :27 to work with, the seniors squandered their final three plays and as the clock ran out, the juniors were ahead, 6-0 to win the game and the 2024 Homecoming Powder Puff Championship.
Immediately following the Powder Puff game, the entire student body and some YellowJacket parents and fans attended the 2024 Bon Fire and Pep Rally. The event took place behind Colbert Gymnasium in the grassy area.
Steve Colonel and the Chester High School Band were on hand to provide school fight songs and the YellowJacket Cheerleaders and Dance Team were there to entertain. The bon fire was blazing and Coach Billy Belton addressed the crowd to pump them up for the Homecoming game against the Sparta Bulldogs Friday September 20 at 7:00 p.m.
The CHS pep club, recently renamed “The Hive”, was instrumental in sponsoring the Powder Puff game and Pep Rally. The faculty sponsor is Cheri Diercks-Boyd. The CHS Student Council sponsors are Amy Miller and Sara Hammel.
Freshmen Powder Puff Players pose for a photo prior to the start of the game. (In no particular order) Jaden Bert, Kaylee Cowell, Addy Jany, Ashlyn Addison, Marie Caby, Isabella Rafihell, Grace Irose, Vanessa Green, Maci Ahring Carlee Cato, Maddie Hurstoy, Mallorie Homan, Jamie Duran, Amelia Stehl, Kenna Thompson, and Kelly Amaro. Coaches Brock Fuller, Rhett Creason, Donny Sabo, Dann y Worley, Paxton Beam, and Reagan Sims. Jim Beers Photo
Sophomore Powder Puff Team (In no particular order) include Joella Eggemeyer, Lauren Cowell, Aubrey Colvis, Aleah Eggemeyer, Katie Werner, Bailey Hartman, Brooke Howie, Rylee Shemonic, Brenna Tucker, and Amelia Terry, Coaches are Zane Eggemeyer, Tashawn Palacio, Kanon Jany, Camren Albaugh, and Trevin Eggemeyer. Jim Beers Photo
The junior Powder Puff Team includes (in no particular order) Maggie Caby, Jessie Stumpe, Camryn Wolf, Callie Davis, Lillian Diskey, Addy Gottschammer, Rylie Lochhead, Lexi Mott, and Aubrey Coleman. Coaches are Tray Peters, Brayden Juenger, Jakob Stueve, Ethan Colvis, and Dennis Vasquez,
Members of the senior Powder Puff Team are (in no particular order) Whitney Sulser, Mckenna LaChance, Sadie Sellers, Mirra Krieg, Rylie Conley, Gianna Eggemeyer, and Peyton Cole, Coaches include Cayden Brunkhorst, Kolton Jany, Nate Maes, Brenden Malley, and Zain Al-Jassim. Jim Beers Photo
Cheri Diercks-Boyd, CHS “Hive” pep club sponsor consults with members of the senor Powder Puff team prior to the start of the games. Ms. Diercks-Boyd organized and managed the Tuesday night activities including Powder Puff games, bonfire and pep rally. Jim Beers Photo
CHS Head Football Coach, Billy Belton and former YellowJacket football standout, Todd Cowan served as referees at the Powder Puff games. Jim Beers Photo
The senior Powder Puff team scores right away against the freshmen in Game 1. They eventually won, 26-0 to advance to the Championship game. Jim Beers Photo
The Chester High School Band, under the direction of Steve Colonel, performs at the 2024 Homecoming Pep Rally. Jim Beers Photo
The spirit fire roars at the 2024 CHS Homecoming Pep Rally. In the forefront the CHS Cheerleaders and Dance Team performs. The Chester Fire Department was on hand to control the fire in case of emergencies. Jim Beers Photo
The sophomore cheerleaders included Logan Brace, Jackie Bess, Keegan Quandt, Alex Blechle, Kross Jany, Logan McDonald, Landen Conder, Ryker Hoffman, Bryce Williams, and Aidan McKinney. Cheer Coach was Elizabeth Dickneite. Shown here they demonstrate their stunt skills! Jim Beers Photo
The senior cheerleaders (mostly YellowJacket Football players) try to excite the crowd at the 2024 CHS Homecoming Powder Puff game. Cheerleaders include Evan Dunning, Maddox Hunter, Lincon Schroeder, Jaden Lopez, Alex Williamson, Max Blechle and Eli Stout. Cheer Coaches include Kourtney House and Eva Meade. Jim Beers Photo
Sophomore and junior Powder Puff players meet mid-field for the pre-game coin-toss under the direction of referee Todd Cowan, otherwise referred to as, “Tu Tu Todd” and “Skunk Hat Todd”. Jim Beers Photo