YellowJackets manage to shut out Warriors, 20-0, in spite of terrible field and weather conditions
By Jim Beers
TRENTON, Ill. – Hurricane Helene flooded much of the area on Friday September 27. Some local teams decided to play their games on Thursday evening as a precaution. Those that didn’t and waited to play Friday night faced terrible playing conditions, especially if the fields were traditional grass surfaces.
Trenton-Wesclin had a grass surface, and that was the location and surface of the “away game” on which the Chester YellowJackets had to play Friday night. Coach Billy Belton said, “It was raining throughout most of the first quarter, but the final three periods were free from any major rain.”
That fact was good, however, by game time the damage had already been done and the field was soaked. The middle of the field was extremely muddy and slick. After the first several plays, running was equally difficult for both teams. Passing games were almost non-existent and running games were greatly hampered. Both teams suffered!
The Warriors chose to receive to start the game and they fumbled on the first play from scrimmage. Chester recovered and ran six plays before turning the ball over on downs. On Wesclin’s next possession, they ran four plays and turned the ball over on downs.
The YellowJackets took advantage of that turnover and scored on their third play from scrimmage. At the 4:35 mark of the first quarter, Zain Al-Jassim scored on a 3-yard quarterback-keeper. Junior Tray Peters ran for the 2-point conversion after the ball was snapped too high for Karim Landeros’ extra-point kick. Chester led, 8-0.
The Warriors were plagued with penalties throughout the first quarter. They were called for a delay of game and four false starts before the quarter ended.
On their third possession, they managed five plays before they had to punt with 1:14 remaining in the first frame. On the punt, Chester’s Brenden Malley caught the ball, but it slipped out of his hands and became a loose ball. Wesclin recovered.
Chester made a tackle for a 1-yard loss on Wesclin’s first run of the new possession. The clock ran out with Chester leading, 8-0 to end the first quarter.
To start the second quarter, the Jacket defense held the Warriors on their next three plays causing them to face 4-and-11 and punt. Tray Peters took the punt and managed to hold on to the ball in spite of slick conditions.
On Chester’s first play from scrimmage, Kolton Jany broke loose for a 65-yard touchdown run. Tray Peters attempted his second 2-point conversion run of the game, but fell 3-yards short. The Jackets extended their lead to, 14-0 with 10:03 to play in the first half.
Wesclin managed seven plays on their 6th possession before turning the ball over on downs at 5:50. The Warriors then held the Jackets to four plays and forced a punt. On the punt, a Wesclin defender got a piece of the ball, creating a loose ball. Chester recovered and re-took possession with 4:00 to play in the half.
To end the first half, both teams were forced to punt and Chester had possession as the ball as the clock ran out to end the first half. Chester took a 14-0 lead into the locker room at halftime.
The entire 3rd quarter was a wash, both literally and figuratively. Neither team scored, and both teams were wet, muddy, and frustrated, with very poor field conditions and foiled attempts to create offensive success.
Chester had four possessions and Wesclin had two full possessions and one extremely short possession that lasted just one play.
Chester turned the ball over on downs, had to punt twice, and had the ball as the clock ran out to end the quarter. Wesclin turned the ball over on downs, had to punt, and fumbled the ball on the first play from scrimmage. Chester recovered. A very unproductive 3rd quarter ended with CHS ahead, 14-0.
The YellowJackets had the ball to start the 4th quarter. They started on the Warrior’s 37 yard line and ran eight plays in four minutes to get a 1st and 10 on the Warriors 10 yard line.
On the next play, the Jackets ran for 8 yards to the Warrior’s 2 yard line. Facing 2nd-and-goal at the 8:17 mark, Chester’s quarterback, Zain Al-Jassim scored Chester’s third touchdown, his second of the game. The 2-point conversion failed. Chester led, 20-0.
On Wesclin’s next possession, the Warriors were moving the ball well, partly because Chester had a 15-yard pass interference penalty, and a 5-yard off sides penalty. Wesclin was on their own 45-yard line with just 5 yards to go for another 1st-and-ten.
On the next play, the YellowJackets caused a Warrior fumble and recovered the ball. CHS had the ball for five plays and were forced to punt. Wesclin had the ball for four plays and had to punt with just 1:43 left in the game. The Jackets ran the clock out to win the game, 20-0.
In the win, CHS ran 55 plays vs Wesclin’s 44 plays. The Jackets accumulated a total of 225 yards, 14 passing and 211 running. Wesclin recorded 74 yards, 45 passing and 29 rushing. Chester had 9 first downs compared to Wesclin’s 2.
The YellowJackets turned the ball over one time on a fumble. Wesclin turned the ball over four times, all on fumbles. CHS committed 10 penalties. Trenton-Wesclin committed 9.
For the wet, slippery, rainy night, Chester quarterback, Zain Al-Jassim completed a season-low 1-of-3 passes for a total of 14 yards. Wesclin completed 2-of-6 passes for 45 yards.
Kolton Jany led the Jackets rushing with 15 attempts and 127 yards and 1 touchdown. Ethan Colvis ran 7 times for 27 yards and Tray Peters ran five times for 27 yards. The final key runner for the Jackets was quarterback, Zain Al-Jassim who ran 10 times for 21 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Chester’s Brenden Malley caught Chester’s only pass and it was for the Jacket’s 14 yards of receiving. Wesclin had 45 receiving yards on two passes.
The Chester defense was tough all night with 30 solo tackles, 12 tackle assists, 5 quarterback sacks, and 7 tackles for a loss.
Ethen Colvis led the defensive effort with 6 solo tackles, 3 tackle assists, 1 sack, and 3 tackles for a loss. Nate Maes had 4 solos, 1 assist, 1 sack, and 1 tackles for a loss. Kolton Jany recorded 3 solos, 1 assist, 2 sacks, and 2 tackles for a loss. Alex Williamson had 3 solos and 1 assist.
YellowJacket Devante Palacio led the team in fumble recoveries with two. Kolton Jany and another CHS player (unidentified) both had a recovery apiece.
With the win, Chester remained undefeated with an overall record of 5-0 and a Cahokia Conference record of 2-0. Wesclin remained winless at 0-5. Next up for the Jackets will be a home matchup this Friday October 4 when CHS hosts Carlyle. Kickoff is 7 P.M. Pre-game will feature a performance by the 2024 CHS Dance Camp participants.
CHS Head Coach Bill Belton said, “The offensive line and running backs did an amazing job! Our backs rushed for 211 yards in a game. That is pretty impressive. Kolton Jany had a great game rushing for 127 yards and 0ne touchdown. Zain Al-Jassim did a great job managing the game. He had two big rushing touchdowns. Tray Peters came into the game and ran the ball very well. Justin Hayman had a couple of big runs.”
“The O-line did a great job. Coach Riggio and Coach Mueller have done a great job with both the offensive and defensive lines”
Our defense played great again this week. Coach Eggemeyer did a great job with the game plan and in getting the defense ready. The defensive line played excellent. We held Wesclin to just 29 yards rushing. Our linebackers were playing down hill and getting off blocks. Linebackers Ethan Colvis, Tino Rafael, Shane Bicket and Zain Eggemeyer all played well!”
“I thought we handled the advertising of the weather very well. We discussed that we should not let the weather control how we play. This was a great team win. I am so proud of these great young men!”
CHS quarterback Zain Al-Jassim (1), a senior, scored two of Chester’s touchdowns Friday September 27 in the 20-0 shut=out of the Trenton Wesclin Warriors. Al-Jassim scored the first TD of the game at the 4:35 mark of the first quarter on a 3-yard scamper into the end zone. He then scored Chester’s final touchdown of the game with 8:17 to play in the game. This time on a 2-yard run to the end zone. That TD gave the Jackets a 20-0 win. Jim Beers Photo
Senior Nate Maes (55) played a huge roll in the 20-0 win at Trenton-Wesclin Friday September 27. Maes helped lead the defensive shut-out of the Warriors with 4 solo tackles, 1 tackle assist, 1 sack of Wesclin’s quarterback, and 1 tackle for a loss. His efforts helped seal the m20-0 shut out of the Warriors.
Jim Beers Photo