By Jim Beers, Contributing Writer
CHESTER — The Chester High School Yellow Jacket Football Team has ended a wonderful 2021 season in which they boasted an undefeated 4-0 inaugural season in the Cahokia Conference, winning the Conference Championship, and finished the regular season with an overall 7-2 record.
The Jacket’s only two regular season losses came to perennial powerhouse DuQuoin, by just one point, 8-7, in the opening game of the season, and to the No. 1 ranked team in Class 2A, Decatur St. Teresa, in a hard fought game, 54-14.
That loss was the result of a conference game against Dupo that had to be cancelled by Dupo due to Covid concerns. Rather than take an easy forfeit win and be idle that weekend, CHS elected to play the top team in 2A.
The result was unfortunate for two reasons.
First because of the loss and second because two of Chester’s starting defensive players were suspended in an altercation that was started by St. Teresa early in the second quarter. That suspension not only ejected Shane Bicket and Jacob Cowell from the game, but from the first round of the IHSA Class 2A State Playoffs.
After a long, early morning bus ride to Vandalia Saturday October 30, a short-handed Yellow Jacket squad had difficulty getting an offense going and was shut out, 24-0, at Vandalia against a Vandals football team that took advantage of Chester’s “off-day”.
Chester, 31-Mt. Vernon, 15 on “Senior Night 2021”
Friday October 22 was “Senior Night 2021” at CHS and the brisk evening began with CHS saying goodbye to 14 senior football players in a pre-game ceremony.
Mt. Vernon won the coin toss and elected to kick off to Chester to start the game. CHS responded with a successful field goal field goal by Jared Landeros at the 6:52 mark of the first quarter. CHS drew first blood and led, 3-0, in their first possession.
The Rams were called for a 15-yard block-in-the-back penalty on the opening kickoff of their first possession. They responded with a touchdown on their second play from scrimmage on a 77-yard run by Marcus Garrett. Landon Simpson kicked the extra point and Mt. Vernon led, 7-3 at 5:47.
On Chester’s next possession they turned the ball over when Jhymear intercepted an Ethan Stumpe pass facing 3-14, and the Rams took possession. Isaac Jany, Dylan Kelkhoff, and Koby Jany put a quick stop the Ram’s advancement and forced a punt at the 4:51 mark.
CHS senior Cooper Eggemeyer makes a fantastic one-handed catch in the senior night game against Mt. Vernon. Chester won, 31-15. Jim Beers Photo
With just 1:31 to play in the first quarter Ethan Stumpe connected with his favorite receiver, Cooper Eggemeyer, for a 46-yard touchdown. Jared Landeros kicked the extra point and Chester regained the lead, 10-7.
To begin the second quarter Mt. Vernon fumbled the ball on a fierce Jacob Cowell tackle and the YellowJackets recovered the ball just 46-seconds into the period. On the first play from scrimmage, Chester’s Jordan Merideth scored a touchdown on a 34-yard run. Landeros was successful on his extra point kick and the Jackets increased their lead to, 17-7 at 10:43 in the second quarter.
Chester‘s Jordan Merideth (1) runs for a first down in the game against 5A Mt. Vernon. In the 31-15 win, Merideth ran 15 times for 84 yards and one touchdown. He also two passes for 41 yards. Jim Beers Photo
On Mt. Vernon’s first possession of the second quarter, Chester’s Isaac Jany threw the Rams for an 8-yard loss on Navontae Nesbit Jr.’s run attempt. On their next play, the Rams were penalized 5-yards for a false start. Mt. Vernon’s frustrations were apparently running very high.
Facing 2-23, quarterback Caden Plummer ran the ball around the left side on a quarterback keeper and was chased and tackled by Chester standout defensive end Isaac Jany. The two ended up on the Ram’s sideline amongst a herd of Ram players.
While Jany was on his back following the excellent tackle, a Mt. Vernon player put his foot on Jany’s chest, pinning him down on the ground. Jany eventually pushed the Ram player’s foot off his chest and immediately following that gesture, four Mt. Vernon players began pounding Jany’s chest with their fists.
The sideline then erupted in a wild scrum for what seemed like forever until referees and coaches could get the altercation under control. After much discussion and warnings, the event was under control and both teams had two players ejected from the game.
Chester’s Shane Bicket and Jacob Cowell were ejected as well as two Ram players.
Following the altercation Mt. Vernon continued with the ball, still facing 2-23 at the 9:20 mark. Chester’s Isaac Jany Jordan Merideth and Matt James and went to work on defense stopping Mt. Vernon’s first play. During the next four plays, the Rams were penalized for a personal foul and Chester was called for both a face mask and horse collar penalty. Chester called a time out at the 6:20 mark.
On the next play, facing 1st and goal, Mt. Vernon quarterback, Caden Plummer scampered into the end zone on a 4-yard quarterback keeper. Landon Simpson’s extra point kick was blocked by Chester’s Isaac Jany. Chester still led, but by just four points, 17-13, with 6:20 to play in the first half.
The remaining 6:20 of the half would be wild as Chester would score twice to end the half. On the kickoff following the Mt. Vernon touchdown, Chester’s Freddie Alvarez took the kickoff and ran untouched for an 89-yard touchdown, to extend Chester’s lead to 23-13.
On Jared Landeros’ extra point attempt, the YellowJackets were penalized 5-yards for a false start. That moved the ball back 5 yards on the extra point kick attempt. That didn’t phase Landeros as he drained the kick for the extra point. Chester led, 24-13 at the 5:59 mark.
Chester then kicked an on-side kick on the kickoff. The YellowJackets’ Jared Landeros recovered the ball and CHS had another immediate possession. On that possession the Rams Held Chester to three-and-out and Chester turned the ball over on downs at 4:43.
A minute later, following great defensive plays by seniors Jerald Copple II and Aiden Jany, the Jacket defense caused a Mt. Vernon fumble. Chester’s Dylan Kelkhoff recovered the fumble and CHS had yet another possession with 3:18 to play in the half.
After four failed pass plays, the Jackets were forced to punt at 2:19. Chester then returned the favor and held Mt. Vernon to 3-and out forcing a Ram punt with just 1:48 to play in the first half.
On the first play from scrimmage on Chester’s possession, Ethan Stumpe connected with Freddie Alvarez for a 28-yard touchdown pass. Jared Landeros kicked the extra point and the YellowJackets led, 31-13 to end the half.
The Jackets kicked off to Mt. Vernon to start the second half. The Rams fumbled and Chester got the ball back right off the bat. On Chester’s second play from scrimmage, they fumbled the ball and Mt. Vernon recovered.
The Rams were forced to punt after four unsuccessful plays and Chester was intercepted on their seconds play from scrimmage. Mt. Vernon then had some success getting a first and ten and moving the ball into Chester territory at the 45 yard line, but great defensive plays by Chester’s Matt James and Isaac Jany put a quick halt to the Ram’s advance and they had to put at the 4:08 mark in the third quarter.
The punt put the Jackets at the 9-yard line. Jordan Merideth was thrown for a 5-yard loss moving the ball back to the Chester 4-yard line. After an incomplete pass to Cooper Eggemeyer Chester faced 3-and-15. On the next play, Mt. Vernon drove the Jackets back into their own end zone and the Rams gained two points for the safety. CHS led, 31-15 to end the third quarter.
Neither team would score in the final period as Mt. Vernon turned the ball over on downs, Chester lost the ball to a fumble, Mt. Vernon turned the ball over on downs for the second time in the quarter, and Chester was forced to punt with just 41-seconds left to play. As the final buzzer sounded, Chester led, 31-15, to improve to 7-2.
In the win, the Jackets recorded 260 total yards compared to Mt. Vernon’s 177. The rams out ran the Jackets 137-134 on the ground, but Chester out passed Mt. Mt. Vernon 126-40 in the air.
Each team recorded 12 first downs and Chester turned the ball over with four compared to Mt. Vernon’s three turnovers. CHS fumbled once and was intercepted three times. The Rams fumbled three times.
Chester was called for eight penalties for a total of 62 yards lost while Mt. Vernon was penalized 12 times for a total of 77 yards lost.
Ethan Stumpe completed 5-of-15 passes for 126 yards and two touchdowns and three interceptions for Chester. Caden Plummer completed 5-of-12 passes for 40 yards.
Chester’s Jordan Merideth led the YellowJackets with 15 runs for 84 yards and one touchdown. Freddie Alvarez ran eight times for 29 yards. Mt. Vernon was led by Marcus Garrett who ran seven times for 83 yards and one touchdown. Caden Plummer ran 18 times for 35 yards and one touchdown.
Cooper Eggemeyer had two receptions for 57 yards and one touchdown and Freddie Alvarez had one reception for 28 yards and one touchdown.
Isaac Jany led the Jackets on defense with eight solo tackles, four assists, one sack, and three tackles for a loss. Aiden Jany followed with four solo tackles, three assists, one sack and one tackle for a loss.
In the win, Jared Landeros was 4-for-4 in kicking extra points and he also kicked a field goal for three points.
Coach Billy Belton said, “I am very proud of the seniors and how they played tonight. They are winners and have worked hard for the successes they have earned this season. The 7-2 record will get us a spot in the playoffs and hopefully a home playoff game.”
“I am very sad that Jacob Cowell and Shane Bicket could not finish their Senior Night game and that they will be suspended for the first round of the playoffs.”
“Coach Heffernan has worked hard with our players and he has them playing hard and tough. The boys have been in the weight room and play a physical game. They are in shape and that has helped us win games this season.”
Vandalia, 24- Chester, 0 in IHSA Class 2A Football Playoffs
The Jackets made the two-hour bus trip to Vandalia early Saturday morning October 30. It was a cold, windy day with wet conditions. There was a west/northwest wind and the field was slick in some spots. A good Chester fan base also followed the team to Vandalia and filled the visitor stands.
The YellowJackets came into game without two key senior defensive players, Shane Bicket and Jacob Cowell. Starting quarterback, Ethan Stumpe was playing on a sore ankle from an injury he received during the Decatur St. Teresa game Friday October 8.
Chester received the opening kickoff and were stopped on their first possession and turned the ball over on downs. On Vandalia’s first play from scrimmage, Carson Ruot connected for a 46 yard touchdown pass. Chester blocked the extra point kick. The Vandals led, 6-0 after two minutes of play. That sort of set the tone for the day.
On Chester’s next possession, Vandalia’s Conner Ray intercepted an Ethan Stumpe pass at the 7:45 mark and the Vandals had possession once again. On the firth play from scrimmage, Chester intercepted a Carson Ruot pass and the Jackets had the ball again.
With 2:12 to play in the first quarter, Ethan Stumpe re-injured his already sore foot and had to come out of the game. Dylan Kelkhoff took over at the quarterback position.
Vandalia held Chester to four-and-out, forcing a Yellow Jacket punt. The punt was tipped and landed on the 50 yard line, giving the Vandals excellent field position. The Jacket defense went to work and held Vandalia to four attempts. The Vandals turned the ball over on downs with just 35-seconds left to end the first quarter with Vandalia leading, 6-0.
CHS started the second period with the ball but failed to create any offense and had to punt. Chester’s defense held the Vandals to four plays forcing them to punt at the 9:45 mark.
On Chester’s next possession the Jackets had the ball for five minutes under the direction of backup quarterback, Dylan Kelkhoff. Kelkhoff got two first-and-tens on 10 plays before being intercepted at the 4:50 mark at the 1-yard line, ruining Chester’s opportunity to take the lead with a touchdown and extra point.
CHS held Vandalia on their next possession and the Jackets turned the ball over on downs on their next possession. With just 1:55 remaining in the first half, it was still a close hard-fought defensive game with neither team refusing to back down.
On the Vandals third play from scrimmage, Carson Ruot connected with Conner Ray for a 23-yard pass for second Vandalia score. The extra point kick failed and Vandalia led, 13-0 with 1:34 to play in the first half.
The YellowJackets were unable to get their passing game going during the next minute and turned the ball over on downs with 1:02 left in the half. CHS held Vandalia the final 56-seconds and the half ended with Vandalia leading, 13-0. It was still a game!
Chester kicked an onside kick to Vandalia to start the second half. That play failed as Vandalia fell on the ball at the 46 yard line giving them excellent field position. The Jackets held them, however, forcing them to punt at the 10:30 mark.
Chester likewise had to punt on their next possession and then Vandalia was held by CHS on their next possession and Chester took over at the 6:32 mark.
Chester ran just one play with Dylan Kelkhoff gaining six yards. Facing 2-4 and having some momentum, Chester fumbled the ball and lost possession. On Vandalia’s third play from scrimmage, Vandalia’s Conner Ray caught a 52 yard touchdown pass for a score.
The vandals went for w two point conversion and scored to lead, 21-0 at the 4:30 mark of the third quarter.
Chester was unable to even get a first and ten and had to punt at 3:07. Vandalia likewise had difficulty moving the ball against a tough Chester defense, but did manage to score on a field goal with just 7-seconds remaining in the third period. Vandalia led, 24-0 at the buzzer.
The final quarter was a lock and neither team was able to move the ball against equally tough defenses. At the final horn, Vandalia had secured a 24-0 shutout of the YellowJackets, ending Chester’s season with a 7-3 record.
Vandalia would move on to Round 2 of the 2021 IHSA Class 2A Football layoffs.
Coach Belton said after the game. “We just came with no energy today! Jordan Merideth came with a sore knee, Ethan Stumpe had an injured foot, and we were short two key defensive players.”
“We just couldn’t make the big plays today. It was not our best tam. We did not have a good week of practice. We seemed down because of the loss of Jacob and Shane and it also appeared as if the boys were negative about the possibility of having to play St. Teresa in Round 2 if we both won.”
“Our defense played hard the entire four quarters and the entire team never gave up! I am proud of them, especially our seniors. I am very proud of our team. They had a great year, beating a 4A y-team and a 5A team and wining the Cahokia Conference with an undefeated 4-0 record. Our seniors had records of 7-3 their sophomore season, 5-1 last year in the Covid season and this year at 7-3. I am happy for them!”
In High School Cross Country
STE. GENEVIEVE — Both the Valle Catholic girls and boys are headed to the state cross country meet. The girls won their district crown and the boys came in second at district.
PERRYVILLE — Perryville’s Teagan Bishop has qualified for state.
PERRYVILLE — Two St. Vincent boys qualified for state: Jackson and Gabe, they and the girls team will travel to the state meet Saturday in Columbia.
STE. GENEVIEVE — Three Ste. Genevieve girls have qualified for the Class 3 state meet: Holly Zangaro, Dakota Medows and Kayden Huck.
Two members of the boys team also qualified for the Class 3 state meet Saturday in Columbia. Nathan St. Clair and Levi Weigand.