McCartney scores twice, Worley once, to secure the victory; quarterback Alex Blechle works his magic to record 241-of-Chester’s total 343 yards
BY JIM BEERS
For the second week in a row, CHS Quarterback Alex Blechle worked his magic for the YellowJackets, to orchestrate a win for Chester. Blechle was the Jacket’s leading runner with 17 rushes for 100 of Chester’s 170 rushing yards. He also completed 9-of-13 passes for a pair of Chester’s passing touchdowns and 141 of Chester’s 173 passing yards. Together, Blechle single-handedly accounted for 241 of Chester’s total 343 yards.
Chester’s defense did its job to keep the Indians at bay throughout the night with 20 solo tackles, 44 tackle assists, and one tackle for a loss. Trey McCartney had a key fumble recovery and Alex Blechle had a key interception to help get the win.
For the night, Chester recorded a total of 343 yards. Carlyle recorded 238 yards. The YellowJackets had 173 passing yards (141 Blechle; 32 Anthony Keeton), while the Indians passed for 96 yards, all by quarterback Colin Rahm, a junior.
Chester rushed for 179 yards led by Alex Blechle’s 100-yard night. Danny Worley ran 10 times for 51 yards and one touchdown and Zane Eggemeyer ran four times for 14 yards. Altogether, Chester ran the ball 36 times for a total of 170 rushing yards and one touchdown. The Jackets had one rare fumble.
Carlyle ran 29 times for a total of 142 rushing yards and one touchdown. The Indians were led by work horse Eli Gray, a 5’10”, 175 lb., junior running back, who ran 18 times out of a total of 29 Indian rushes. He recorded 68 yards and one touchdown.
Chester had three turnovers, one fumble and two interceptions Carlyle had two turnovers, one fumble and one interception. The YellowJackets were called for five penalties while the Indians were called for only three penalties. In the game, Chester achieved 16 first downs. Carlyle recorded 12 first downs.
Chester won the coin toss and elected to receive to start the game. Carlyle kicked a short, rolling, type of on-side kick to challenge Chester. The Indian plan worked and the YellowJackets fumbled the opening kickoff. Carlyle recovered and had the ball just four seconds into the first quarter.
Not a good start for the Jackets! The Chester defense went to work, however, and did what they do best. They held Carlyle for 10 plays and forced the Indians to turn the ball over on downs at the 7:25 mark.
Chester had their first true possession their own 26-yard line and 7:25 to play in the first quarter. Nine plays later, Alex Blechle found Trey McCartney in the end zone and completed a 1-yard pass to McCartney for Chester’s first of three touchdowns of the game. Karim Landeros kicked the extra point and the YellowJackets led, 7-0 at the 3:17 mark.
Chester held Carlyle to 4-11 with 1:40 remaining in the first quarter, forcing an Indian punt. Carlyle returned the favor and held Chester to 4-17 as the horn sounded to end the first period. Chester led, 7-0.
Carlyle was rejuvenated at the quarter break and forced Chester to punt immediately. The Indians then proceeded to get three first downs in the opening 2-minutes for the second quarter. Facing 2-and-2, Carlyle scored on a 2-yard Quarterback Keeper by Colin Rahm. The extra-point kick was good and the game was tied, 7-7 at the 8:24 mark.
Chester was not going to allow that tie to last for long. On the Jacket’s next possession (their 3rd of the game) Alex Blechle, Zane Eggemeyer, and TaShawn Palacio each recorded first and tens to get the ball to the Indian 19-yard line. On the next play, Alex Blechle found Trey McCartney one again, this time for a 15-yard touchdown pass. Karin Landeros remained perfect with his kicking and added one point with the kick. Chester extended its lead to 14-7 with 3:13 left in the first half.
The Jacket defense went to work once again, this time holding the Indians to 11 unsuccessful plays. The Indians did, however, get two first downs. The first came at 3:01 when quarterback Colin Rahm scrambled for three yards on a QB Keeper.
Another came with just 0:48 remaining in the second quarter. The Orange Crush Jacket Defense then held Carlyle for four consecutive plays to force an Indian turnover on downs to end the half with Chester on top, 14-7.
The second half opened with a rash of turnovers and fumbles. Carlyle had the ball to begin 3rd quarter action. On the second play from scrimmage, Chester’s Alex Blechle intercepted a Colin Rahm pass just a minute and a half into the quarter. Chester took possession of the ball. On Chester’s first play from scrimmage, the YellowJackets fumbled the ball. Carlyle took over possession. On Carlyle’s first play from its second possession, the Indians fumbled the ball (9:15). Chester had its second possession. After a Danny Worley first down (8:19), Carlyle intercepted a Chester pass. The ball exchanged possession for the fourth time in the opening 4:30 of the 3rd quarter.
The Indians started its third possession of the early 3rd period a with a first down. Four plays later, Chester had forced an Indian punt. Chester took over its third possession of the third period with 4:04 left in the 3rd Quarter. Alex Blechle ran for two first downs giving Chester good field position with 3:08 to play in the third period. Four plays later, Chester’s Danny Worley ran for a 10-yard touchdown. Karim Landeros kicked his third extra-point of the game and Chester increased its lead to 21-7. That would end an extremely “wild-and-crazy” third quarter.
To start the 4th Quarter, Chester forced Carlyle to turn the ball over on downs on its first possession (11:52). Chester was moving the ball really well on its first possession with two first downs. Facing 1-and 10 with 8:40 left to play, the Jackets were called for a block in the back. On the next play, facing 1-and 20, Chester was intercepted with under eight minutes to play.
For the next three minutes, Carlyle managed to get a first down on a 10-yard pass from Colin Rahm to Bennett Snyder. They got another first down with 5:58 left on the clock when Chester was called for pass interference. They completed another good pass giving them eight yards to face 2-and-2 at the 5:04 mark. On their next play, the Indians were penalized 15 yards, moving the ball back to the 39-yard line.
With 4:28 to play in the game, Carlyle’s Coli Rahm hit Gannon Meyer with a huge pass. Meyer made it all the way to the one-yard line. On the next play, Eli Gray scored on a 1-yard dash into the end zone for a touchdown. The extra point kick was good. The Indians were just one touchdown and extra point away from tying the YellowJackets, 21-14.
Carlyle attempted another on-side kick for Chester’s next possession. Chester’s Rhett Creason was a star and took control of the wild-and-bobbling football right away and secured a fantastic placement for the Jackets at the 46-yard line with just 4:00 to play.
Alex Blechle hit Trey McCartney for a first down (3:21). Blechle hit McCartney again at 1:21 for another first down. The Jackets took a knee in Victory Formation twice and the game was over. Chester won, 21-14.
In the win, the Jackets were 11-of-18 in the passing category for 173 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. The Jackets rushed 36 times for 170 yards and 1 touchdown. The Jackets fumbled just once.
On defense, Chester recorded 20 Solo Tackles, 44 Tackle Assists, and 1 Tackle for a Loss (TFL). Danny Worley led with 5 solos, 5 assists, and 1 TFL. Kanon Jany added 4 solos, & 8 assists. Alex Blechle intercepted 1 Carlyle pass and Trey McCartney recovered 1 Carlyle fumble.
With the win, Chester won its 2026 Homecoming game and improved its record to 4-2 overall and undefeated in the Cahokia Conference, Illinois Division, 3-0. The Jackets are in first place in the conference. Next Friday, October 2, Chester will travel to Dupo for its 4th conference game. Game Time is 7 p.m.
Head Coach Billy Belton said, “I thought both teams played really hard. Carlyle did a great job and they are really well coached.”
“Trey McCartney had a great game with 101 yards receiving. Alex Blechle had a good night with over a 100 yards rushing. Defense did a really good job and held a very good Indian offense to just 14 points. Our special teams also played well!”
“We are in a great position at this point. We have won four games in-a-row and I really like where we are as a team!”
Most Chester YellowJackets “Circled-Up” prior to the game for voluntary prayer and team-building Friday September 25 when CHS hosted Carlyle for the 2026 Homecoming game. Jim Beers Photo
Captains from both the Chester YellowJackets and the Carlyle Indians meet on the 50-yardline center field for the traditional “coin toss”. Chester won the toss and elected to receive to start the game. Appearing with CHS Head Coach Billy Belton are Alex Blechle (3), Trey McCartney (88), TaShawn Palacion (11), and Zane Eggemeter (7). Jim Beers Photo
Chester’s Alex Blechle (3), the quarterback, scrambles as Chester’s Zane Eggemeyer 7) makes a key block against Carlyle Friday September 25. It was Homecoming and the YellowJackets defeated Carlyle, 21-14, to remain undefeated in the Cahokia Conference, Illinois Division at 3-0. With the win, Chester improved to 4-2 overall. Alex Blechle led the team in rushing with 100-yards, and he passed for 141 yards and two touchdowns. Jim Beers Photo
Karim Landeros, Chester’s ace kicker, kicks off to the Carlyle Indians in the first quarter of the 2026 Homecoming game For the night, Landeros was perfect in all three of his extra-point attempts. He also kicked off the Carlyle four times for 209 yards and 57 long. Jim Beers Photo
The YellowJackets advance the ball deep into Carlyle territory during the 2026 CHS Homecoming Football game. Chester won, 21-14, to improve to 4-2 overall and 3-0 in the Cahokia Conference, Illinois Division. Jim Beers Photo