Chester wins, 36-28, over Sparta-Steeleville to even record, 2-2, and begin Cahokia Conference, Illinois Division race with an undefeated, 1-0 record
BY JIM BEERS
In a highly anticipated and much discussed matchup between the Chester High School YellowJackets and the Sparta-Steeleville Bulldogs Football Teams, the long awaited rivalry game Friday September 11 proved to be all it was “cranked up” to be.
The event took place at Chester High School’s famed W.O. Smith Field, and for the first time in many years, the stadium was jam-packed with both Chester’s home side and Sparta’s visitor’s side. There was hardly a seat left.
Both hillside locations, Chester’s and Sparta’s, also had fans sitting on lawn chairs and blankets, or just standing to see the contest. Both end-zones, and sidelines were also busy from time-to-time with excited YellowJacket and Bulldog fans as well as local media personnel.
Sparta came into the game undefeated with a record of 3-0, while Chester brought a 1-2 record into the contest. Sparta beat Madison 48-6, Marshall, 36-7, and CPA, 74-26. Chester defeated Anna-Jonesboro, 48-0, but lost to Class 3A schools Paris by just two points, 27-25, and West Frankfort, 35-21. Strength of schedules no doubt had at least some effect on both Sparta’s and Chester’s records.
Rightfully so, the Sparta-Steeleville Bulldogs came into the contest very confident and ready to play ball. With two towns, Sparta and Steeleville, contributing to the Bulldog’s roster, the visiting team traveled very well and brought a wealth of fans to support them. Chester was also extremely well supported, which made for a fantastic atmosphere at W.O. Smith Field.
The Chester-Sparta rivalry dates back more than five decades. The two teams faced each other in the Southwest Egyptian Conference, the River-to-River Conference and after a brief separation, now the Cahokia Conference. The rivalry has been up-and-down from time-to-time regarding the level of sportsmanship and friendly battle. In recent years, the level of sportsmanship and friendly competition has been great.
Chester players and coaches line up across from Sparta players and coaches in the coin toss at the Chester vs Sparta-Steeleville game Friday September 11 at Chester High School’s W.O. Smith Field. For Chester, Trey McCartney (88), TaShawn Palacio, Jackie Bess (66) and Kanon Jany (50) join CHS Head Coach Billy Belton. For Sparta, players Brock Wilson (77), Jakhai Dancy (2), Wyatt Peck (31), and Dariontez Monroe (3), join Head Coach Drew Kordys for the toss. Sparta won the toss and elected to receiver to start the game. Officials included Brad Beighley, Lonnie Benbrook, Mile Morman, Dan Guined, and Mike Lutz. Jim Beers Photo
Friday night’s game was fierce and very competitive from time-to-time. Both teams had statements to make and the W.O. Smith Field atmosphere was touch-and-go at times. Both teams played with heart and an intention to win the game. Referees were Brad Beighley, Lonnie Benbrook, Mike Morman, Dan Guined, and Mike Lutz. Sparta won the coin toss and elected to receive the opening kick to start the game.
The Bulldogs broke away from their leash early in the first quarter and scored a touchdown on a huge 66-yard pass from quarterback Dariontez Monroe to DJ Hayes. Monroe then ran for the 2-point conversion and the Bulldogs led, 8-0 at the 9:39 mark.
Chester stood tall, however, and stung the Dogs fast and often on their first possession of the game. On their 8th play from scrimmage, the YellowJackets scored their first touchdown of the game at the 6:30 mark on a 17-yard quarterback scramble from Alex Blechle. The extra-point kick from Karim Landeros was good, and CHS trailed, 8-7.
During that possession, Alex Blechle, Danny Worley, and again Alex Blechle got first downs. Sparta committed a personal foul penalty and an encroachment penalty which caused them to give the Jackets 20-yards.
On Sparta’s second possession, the Dogs committed a 5-yard penalty on their first play from scrimmage. Ten plays later, with 1:02 on the clock, Sparta committed a holding penalty. Penalties really hurt the Bulldogs as they otherwise had a fairly good second possession with three first downs. They had possession of the ball for 12 plays, from the 6:39 mark until the end of the first quarter. The Bulldogs led by one point, 8-7, at the end of the 1st period.
To start the second quarter, Sparta turned the ball over to Chester on downs. Quarterback Alex Blechle ran for 11-yards on Chester’s first play from scrimmage. On the next play, Chester was called for a false start. Blechle then ran back-to-back scrambles for a total of six yards.
Danny Worley was injured on the next play. Thankfully he was able to return to action quickly. CHS then faced 4-and-9 with 8:49 on the clock. A completed pass from Blechle to Donnie Sabo gave Chester a first down. On the next play, the Jackets were called for a personal foul (8:35). On Chester’s 8th play, Alex Blechle found TaShawn Palacio for a 24-yard touchdown pass. The Landeros extra-point kick was successful. Chester took over the lead, 14-8, with 8:09 to play in the first half.
The Jacket Orange Crush Defense held Sparta to 3-and-out on the Bulldog’s third possession to force a punt at the 6:28 mark. Sparta committed an off-sides penalty at 4:11 and Chester committed a holding penalty at 3:12. The Dogs defense held the Jackets to 4-and-5. CHS could not get the first down and turned the ball over to Sparta at the 1:43 mark.
With 1:18 left in the first half, the Bulldogs closed the period with eight plays. The Dogs committed two penalties, a holding penalty and a 5-yarder. Successful passes to Jakhai Dancy and DJ Hayes got the Bulldogs in good scoring position. With just 7.3 seconds on the clock, Sparta quarterback, Dariontez Monroe, threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to Tyrell Charles. Monroe ran for another 2-point conversion and the Bulldogs re-took the lead, 16-14, into the halftime break.
The first half was very competitive and featured two Sparta touchdowns and two Chester touchdowns, as well as six Bulldog penalties and three YellowJacket penalties. The game was close and very exciting throughout the opening 24 minutes (First Half).
Chester had the ball to start the 3rd Quarter. Blechle returned the 2nd half kickoff to the 40-yard line to give CHS good field position. Trey McCartney and Danny Worley got first downs taking the ball to the 5-yard line. On the 6th play, quarterback Alex Blechle ran for a 4-yard touchdown (7:24). Karim Landeros was good for the extra-point and the YellowJackets re-took the lead, 21-16.
Sparta had the ball just one minute before the YellowJackets caused a Bulldog fumble. Chester recovered and had a first and ten at the 6:38 mark of the 3rd Quarter.
The entire YellowJacket 5th possession was a “freak show” with two Chester penalties and four Bulldog penalties. Only two CHS plays did not involve a penalty. Facing 2-and-1, and with the ball on the Bulldog 1-yard line, CHS quarterback Alex Blechle ran two yards into the end zone for Chester’s 4th touchdown. The Landeros extra-point kick was successful and Chester extended its lead to 12 points, 28-16, at the 5:19 mark of the 3rd Quarter.
Sparta did not fade away at that point, however, as it took the Dogs just six plays to respond to Chester’s 4th touchdown. Sparta scored its 3rd touchdown when quarterback Dariontez Monroe ran for a 7-yard touchdown. The Chester defense foiled the Sparta extra-point attempt and the Bulldogs trailed by just six points, 28-22, with 2:58 left in the third period.
Both teams had another possession in the final 2:58. On Chester’s 6th possession the Jackets were held to just three plays and out. Sparta’s 7th Possession resulted in one Chester penalty and two Sparta penalties. When the clock ran out to end the 3rd Quarter the score remained Chester 28-Sparta 22.
The 4th Quarter began with Sparta being held to just four plays. On the 4th play, the Bulldogs fumbled and the YellowJackets recovered. The YellowJackets were then held to four plays and were forced to punt.
On Sparta’s first play from scrimmage, the Bulldogs’ Earl Carter broke loose for a 10-yard touchdown with just 9:14 remaining in the game. The Bulldogs failed to complete a 2-point conversion. Sparta tied the game 28-28 with that 4th Bulldog touchdown.
On Chester’s next possession (8th) Alex Blechle and Danny Worley got first downs. Sparta was called for yet another penalty, this time for a face mask. On the very next play the Dogs were penalized for 5-yards for encroachment. The Jackets reached 1st and ten on the Sparta 25-yardline and 7:33 left on the clock.
With 5:13 left to play, Chester scored its 5th and final touchdown on a 24-yard pass from Blechle to Danny Worley. Blechle then threw TaShawn Palacio a 2-point conversion pass which was good! The YellowJackets took the lead, 36-28.
Chester forced Sparta to turn the ball over on downs after four plays with 2:54 left in the game. The YellowJackets reached two 1st and 10’s in the final 2:16 and took a knee twice in the final 0:54 to end the game.
Overall, the game was close and fairly balanced in most respects. Chester scored five touchdowns and Sparta scored four. The Jackets ran 66 plays. Sparta ran 53. CHS recorded a total of 363 yards (115 passing and 248 rushing). Sparta recorded 322 yards (255 passing and 67 rushing). Chester had 17 first downs and Sparta had 10. CHS was 2-12 on 3rd down efficiency (17%) while Sparta was 4-12 (33%). The Jackets were 5-8 on 4th down efficiency (62%) and the Bulldogs were 2-5 (40%).
The Bulldogs were called for 14 penalties (Encroachment: 1, Off Sides: 5, Personal Foul: 2, Holding: 3, Horse Collar: 1, Face Mask: 1, and Offensive Pass Interference: 1). Chester was called for eight penalties (Personal Foul: 1, Holding: 2, Off Sides: 1, Pass Interference: 1, Encroachment: 1, False Start: 2).
The YellowJackets completed 7-of-11 passes for 115 yards and two touchdowns. The Bulldogs completed 14-of-23 passes for 255 yards and two touchdowns.
Chester rushed for a total of 248 yards on 49 carries. Alex Blechle led the team with 22 carries for 115 yards and 3 touchdowns. Danny Worley ran 12 times for 84 yards. Zane Eggemeyer ran 3 times for 36 yards. TaShawn Palacio ran 6 times for 14 yards. Sparta ran 23 times for a total of 67 yards. Earl Carter led the Bulldogs with 4 rushes for 21 yards and 1 touchdown. Dariontez Monroe ran for Sparta’s third touchdown.
Chester receivers caught seven passes for a total of 115 yards and two touchdowns. Tray McCartney caught two passes for 41 yards. TaShawn Palacio caught 3 passes for 37 yards and 1 touchdown. Danny Worley caught 1 pass for 24 yards and 1 touchdown. Donnie Sabo caught 1 pass for 13 yards.
Sparta won the passing war with 14 completions for a total of 255 yards. DJ Hayes led the Bulldogs with 3 receptions for 163 yards and 1 touchdown. Jakhai Dancy caught 4 passes for 58 yards. Wyatt Peck caught 5 passes for 20 yards. Tyrell Charles had 1 reception for 11 yards and 1 touchdown.
The Jacket defense made 26 solo tackles, 22 tackle assists, six sacks, and 8 tackles for a loss (TFL) in the win. Danny Worley led the team with 5 solos, and 1 assist. Trey McCartney had 4 solos, 5 assists, 1 sack, and 1 TFL. Alex Blechle recorded 4 solos, and 3 assists. Avery Wittenborn had 2 solos, 3 assists, 2 sacks, and 2 TFL’s.
Other defensive stand outs included: TaShawn Palacio (2 solos & 1 assist); Rhett Creason (2 solos, 1 assist, & 1 TFL); Ryker Hoffman (1 solo, 1 assist, a sack, & 1 TFL); Paxton Beam (1 solo, 2 assists, 1 sack & 1 TFL); Karim Landeros (1 solo, 1 sack & 1 TFL). Rhett Creason recovered a Bulldog fumble.
The Bulldogs recorded 35 solo tackles, 24 tackle assists, and 1 tackle for a loss (TFL). Antonio Monroe led with 5 solos & 7 assists. Colin Wilson had 5 solos, 5 assists, and 1 TFL. Korbin Ping recorded 4 solos, 2 assists, and 1 TFL. Jakhai Dancy had 5 solos.
Head Coach Billy Belton said, “I thought we played really well on all three levels, offensive, defensive and special teams! Coach Danny Roth had a great game plan going into the game. I thought our defensive line played really well. We got several sacks against a very good quarterback. The defensive unit had some big plays. Trey McCartney had a great game on defense.”
“Charles Colvis does a great job with the special teams. We had a great fake punt and the great fake PAT. These really helped with our momentum. TaShawn Palacio and Donnie Sabo were great with the fake punt and Alex Blechle and TaShawn Palacio were great with the fake PAT.”
“Offensively, Coach Strauss and Coach Hunter did a great job helping with the play calls. The last touchdown and the last play to get a first down were those calls that Strauss and Hunter made. We have such a great coaching staff!”
“Alex Blechle had a great game with his legs and arm. Danny Worley had a great running game and he blocked well. He made several blocks that helped spring Blechle for big runs. Overall it was a great team win. Several players added big plays too!”
The Jackets travel to Wesclin this Friday September 18 for the second Cahokia Conference, Illinois Division contest of the season. They will return to W.O. Smith Field in Chester the following Friday September 25 for Homecoming 2026 when the Jackets host Carlyle.
Chester’s Zane Eggemeyer (7) breaks away from Sparta defenders Earl Carter (20) and Antonio Monroe (81) while another defender Wyatt Peck (31) breaks away from a YellowJacket blocker to await Eggemeyer’s arrival down field. For the night Eggemeyer ran 3 times for 36 yards. On defense Eggemeyer recorded 1 solo tackle, 2 tackle assists, and 1 tackle for a loss (TFL). He is a senior 5’9″, 170, Lb. wide receiver and defensive back. Jim Beers Photo
The Chester YellowJackets take a knee with 0:54 on the clock in the Chester vs Sparta-Steeleville game Friday September 11. The score was Chester 36 – Sparta-Steeleville 28. Jim Beers Photo