Colvis scores five touchdowns; McCartney, Palacio, and Conder each add one TD
By Jim Beers
CHESTER – Week 2 was favorable for the Chester High School YellowJackets as they traveled to Pinckneyville for their second win of the early season. The Jackets caged the Panthers, 53-7, to improve to 2-0. In the first two games of the 2025 season Chester has outscored its opponents by the tune of 108-7.
In the process of winning at Pinckneyville, senior running back Ethan Colvis scored five of Chester’s eight touchdowns, three on pass receptions and two on the run. Trey McCartney, a junior, scored Chester’s second touchdown on a 24-yard pass reception and junior TaShawn Palacio scored the Jacket’s 6th TD on a 14-yard pass reception. Landen Conder, a junior, capped off Chester’s scoring with a 2-yard rushing touchdown late in the 4th quarter.
Head Coach Billy Belton said, “I really feel like this was a great team win! Pinckneyville has a good team. They were physical and played hard. Their quarterback, R. Marlow and big wide receiver were really good football players. Our defense did a great job keeping them under control.”
“I loved the way our defense is flying to the ball on every play. All 11 hats on defense are running to the ball to control the opponent’s ability to control the game. A couple of the times against the Panthers the defense did bend, but did not break! We had three red zone stops which were very crucial to the outcome of the game.”
“The linebackers, defensive line, and defensive backs did a great job. TaShawn Palacio was great keeping Pinckneyville’s big wide receiver in check all night. This guy is 6’6” and 210 pounds and TaShawn was on top of him throughout the game! Coach Danny Roth, Defensive Coach, has the defense playing very well.”
There were 15 different defensive players that contributed to the amazing and effective YellowJacket defensive effort in the 46-point advantage over the Pinckneyville Panthers. Together they recorded 27 solo tackles, 24 tackle assists, one quarterback sack and four tackles for a loss (TFL).
Morgan Miners (70), a senior, was the only YellowJacket to record in all four of the defensive stat lines. He hasd two solo tackles, one assist, the only CHS quarterback sack, and one tackle for a loss (TFL). Ethan Colvis led with the most solo tackles with five and the most assists with six. He also added one TFL.
The other 13 contributors included TaShawn Palacio (4 solos, 1 assist, & 1 TFL); Trey McCartney (3 solos, 4 assists, 1 TFL); Kanon Jany (2 solos & 1 assist); Tray Peters (2 solos); Zane Eggemeyer (2 solos, 3 assists, & 1 TFL); Isaac Sims (2 solos); Derrius Shoemate (1 solo & 4 assists); Bentley Valleroy &Reed Creason with one solo apiece and Karim Landeros, Alex Blechle, & Landen Conder with an assist apiece.
Kanon Jany and Zane Eggemeyer each had interceptions and Morgan Miers and Reed Creason each recorded fumble recoveries. The Orange Crush defense played a significant role in holding Pinckneyville to just seven points!
Head Coach Billy Belton said, “Coaches Caleb Strauss, wide receivers and defensive backs, Coach Tim Mueller, line coach, and Coach Stephen Roth, running backs coach, are doing a great job. Their units are playing really well!”
In the win, Chester ran 50 plays. Pinckneyville ran 48. The Jackets accumulated a total of 493 yards (182 passing and 311 rushing). The Panthers accumulated 234 yards (127 passing and 107 rushing). CHS had 20 first downs and PHS had 1 2 first downs. On 3rd down efficiency the YellowJackets were 5-of-6 (83%) and the Panthers were 2-of-8 (25%). On 4th down efficiency CHS was 1-for-1 (100%) while PHS was 2-of-8 (25%).
The YellowJackets did not have any turnovers while Pinckneyville committed four turnovers (2 fumbles and 2 interceptions).
Coach Belton said, “Offensively, Tray Peters and Ethan Colvis each had good games! Tray threw for five touchdowns in the first half and Ethan finished the night with five touchdowns, 2 rushing and three receiving. Boy, those guys really stepped it up, but they were not the only players to shine!”
“Trey McCartney had a receiving touchdown and TaShawn Palacio also added a receiving touchdown. The offensive line and receivers blocked all night long! We rushed for more than 300 yards for the second game in-a- row. Those blockers have been doing a fantastic. This team really plays hard for each other!
In the win, Chester quarterback Tray Peters connected 13-of-14 passes (93%) for a total of 182 yards and five touchdowns. Five YellowJackets were the targets of Tray Peter’s passes including Ethan Colvis (4 receptions for 79 yards and 3 touchdowns); Trey McCartney (3 receptions for 57 yards and 1 TD); Alex Blechle (4 receptions for 29 yards); TaShawn Palacio (1 reception for 14 yards and 1 TD); and Zane Eggemeyer (1 reception for 3 yards).
Ten YellowJackets rushed a total of 30 times for a total of 311 yards and three touchdowns. Ethan Colvis led with 8 runs for 111 yards and two touchdowns. Landen Conder ran just once for a 2-yards touchdown.
Other Jackets who contributed to rushing yards included Zane Eggemeyer (6 for 65 yards); Bentley Valleroy (2 for 44 yards); Alex Blechle (3 for 39 yards); Tray Peters (4 for 22 yards); Jaden Ramirez (2 for 14 yards); TaShawn Palacio (2 for 12 yards); Anthony Keeton (1 for 2 yards); and Rhett Creason (1 for no gain).
Next up for the YellowJackets is another road trip, this time to West Frankfort. It will be the second in a three-game road swing before Chester returns to W.O. Smith Field for the next home game vs Wesclin.
Coach Belton said, “West Frankfort is 2-0 and really dominating teams so far this season. They have scored a ton of points. Coach Berry does a great job at West Frankfort so we will have to be really sharp in all three phases of our game. This will be a great test for us next week. We will need a great week of practice.”’
CHS senior, Ethan Colvis (25) led the Jackets in their 53-7 win over the Pinckneyville Panthers Friday September 5. Colvis, a 6’1″, 195 lb. running back, scored five of Chester’s eight touchdowns, three on pass receptions and two on runs. For the night Colvis ran 8 times for 111 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught four passes for 79 yards and three touchdowns. On defense Ethan recorded five solo tackles, 6 tackle assists, and 1 tackle for a loss. Jim Beers Photo
CHS senior Tray Peters (16), Chester’s quarterback, had a great night against the Panthers from Pinckneyville. He completed 13-of-14 passes for 183 yards and five touchdowns. He also rushed 4 times for 22 yards. On defense Peters had two solo tackles. As a team, Peters orchestrated a 493-yard effort for CHS, 193 passing and 311 rushing. Jim Beers Photo
TaShawn Palacio (11) a 5’11”, 148 lb. Wide Receiver, caught a 14-yard pass to end the first half scoring against the Pinckneyville Panthers Friday September 5. That reception led to Chester’s final touchdown of the half to give the YellowJackets a 39-7 lead going into the Lockeroom for the popcorn break. In the win, Palacio ran twice for 12 yards and caught one pass for his 14-yard touchdown. On defense, TaShawn recorded 4 solo tackles, 1 assist, and 1 tackle for a loss. Jim Beers Photo