Six Jackets score a total of 8 touchdowns; Landeros kicks 7 extra-points; defense smothers Oilers
By Jim Beers
CHESTER – The Chester High School Football Team opened its 2025 season at home Friday August 29 at W.O. Smith Field. The YellowJackets did it in style, shutting out the East Alton-Wood River Oilers in style by a score of 55-0.
In the process, six offensive players scored a total of eight touchdowns. Two YellowJackets, Alex Blechle, a junior, and Ethan Colvis, a senior, scored two touchdowns apiece. In addition, Tray Peters, a senior quarterback, TaShawn Palacio, a junior wide receiver, Zane Eggemeyer, a junior wide receiver, and Anthony Keeton, a sophomore quarterback, added individual touchdown efforts.
To add the finishing touches to seven-of-the-eight touchdowns, Chester’s dynamite kicker, Karim Landeros, a junior, kicked seven successful extra-points to round out the 48-point touchdown effort.
Helping to complete the successful shut out, CHS recorded 45 tackles, eight which were tackles-for-a-loss, and two quarterback sacks. The Orange Crush Jacket defense also held the Oilers to minus 29 yards rushing, as well as just 124 passing yards.
Chester played a complete game on both sides of the ball in their first appearance of the season. Leading, 42-0 at halftime forced a continuous clock the entire second half of the game, and Head Coach, Billy Belton, played non-starters, many of which were underclassmen, most of the 3rd and 4th quarters.
Three Chester players were highlighted in the Hudl Stats Report including Tray Peters with 158 passing yards and a pair of touchdown scrambles, Ethan Colvis with 119 yards rushing and two trips into the end zone, and TaShawn Palacio with 89 receiving yards and a 54-yard touchdown.
In the first quarter it took Chester just five plays and just under two minutes to get their first score when Alex Blechle scored on a 22-yard run at the 9:55 mark. Karim Landeros kicked the extra-point at CHS led, 7-0.
The Jackets defense held the oilers to 4-and-out forcing a punt. Nine plays later, Tray Peters scored for CHS on a 19-yard quarterback keeper at the 6:05 mark. Landeros kicked the extra-point and CHS led, 14-0.
On East Alton-Wood River’s second possession the Orange Crush defense held the Oilers to four downs and out forcing a second punt. Chester achieved three first and ten’s to open its third possession on efforts by Peters, Ethan Colvis and Zane Eggemeyer. Three plays later, Ethen Colvis scored his first of two touchdowns on a 7-yard run. Landeros kicked his third extra-point and Chester led, 21-0 with 1:16 left in the first quarter.
Chester’s defense held tight to close out the rest of the first period as EAWR committed two penalties and 3-yard loss facing a stiff defensive effort by CHS.
To start the second quarter, on the YellowJacket’s first play from scrimmage, Tray Peters connected with wide receiver TaShawn Palacio for a 54-yard touchdown pass for Chester’s fourth touchdown of the early game. This effort took just 29 seconds. Landeros kicked his 4th extra-point of the night and at the 11:31 mark Chester extended its lead to 28-0.
The Oiler’s next possession was perhaps its best as they managed to keep the ball for nine plays as they achieved their first 1st-and-10 of the night. Chester’s defense, however, went to work and stopped their short-lived drive at the 8:34 mark, forcing a punt.
The Jackets used the next three minutes of the second quarter to run a nine play touchdown attack in which Tray Peters achieved two first downs. On the ninth play of the series, Ethan Colvis found the end zone after a 15-yard touchdown run at the 5:31 mark. Landeros remained perfect for the evening with his 5th successful extra-point kick. CHS led, 35-0.
On their next possession, EAWR started off with a nice Isaiah Brown pass to wide receiver Jasiah Brown for the Oiler’s second first-and-ten of the game. Chester then shut the door with back-to-back tackles for a loss and an EAWR false start penalty, forcing yet another EAWR punt with 1:56 to play in the first half.
Chester began its 7th possession of the game with 1:20 left on the clock to end the first half. On the first play of the series, Zane Eggemeyer caught a Tray Peters pass for 20 yards. Peters then connected with Ethen Colvis for another first and ten. On the third play, Peters hit Eggemeyer again, this time for a 31-yard touchdown with 37.5 seconds left in the first half. Karim Landeros kicked his 6th extra-point of the game as Chester increased its lead to 42-0 to end the first half. The first half took 1 hour and 30 minutes.
With Chester leading by 40 points, the “Mercy Rule” went into effect and the 3rd and 4th quarters were played with a continuous clock. Coach Belton turned the ball over to his bench most of the second half. His reserves played extremely well and managed to score an additional two touchdowns.
East Alton-Wood River kicked to Chester to start the second half. On the kickoff, Zane Eggemeyer made an excellent return giving CHS great field position to start the possession. On the second play from scrimmage, Alex Blechle ran 22 yards for his second touchdown of the game. The extra-point attempt failed. CHS led, 48-0 with 9:04 to play in the 3rd quarter.
EAWR could not manage to get anything moving during the rest of the third quarter and the score remained, 48-0 as the clock sounded to end the third period.
Chester had the ball most of the final quarter and managed one final touchdown at the 2:52 mark when sophomore quarterback Anthony Keeton ran for 64 yards for a final YellowJacket touchdown. Karim Landeros made his 7th extra-point of the night and the YellowJackets ended the game winning with a shut-out, 55-0.
In the game, the YellowJackets ran just 38 plays. EAWR ran 43 plays. Chester recorded a total of 522 yards (159 passing and 363 rushing) while EAWR recorded just 95 total yards (124 passing and -29 rushing). CHS had 21 first downs compared the EAWR’s six.
The Jackets were 67% on 3rd down efficiency (4-6) while the Oilers were 0% (0-8). On 4th down efficiency, Chester was 100% (1-1) and EAWR was 0% (0-3). The YellowJackets played a clean game with only 4 penalties for 15 yards. EAWR committed seven penalties for 43 yards.
Chester utilized three quarterbacks in the game including Tray Peters, Anthony Keeton, and Alex Blechle. In the passing stat report, Peters completed 7-of-9 passes for 158 yards and 2 touchdowns. Keeton completed completed his only pass of the game for one yard, and Blechle threw one incomplete pass.
In the rushing report, the YellowJackets ran for 363 yards led by Ethan Colvis who ran nine times for a total of 119 yards and two touchdowns. Anthony Keeton scrambled for a 64-yard touchdown on his only carry for the night. Tray Peters ran four times for a total of 45 yards and one touchdown. Alex Blechle ran twice for a total of 44 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Zane Eggemeyer ran twice accumulating 54 yards. Rhett Creason ran twice for a total of six yards and Jaden Ramirez ran once and recorded five yards.
TaShawn led the team in receiving. He caught three passes for a total of 89 yards and one touchdown. Zane Eggemeyer followed and caught two passes for a total of 51 yards and one touchdown. Ethan Colvis caught two passes (14 yards) and Tray McCartney caught one pass (5 yards).
Defense was key to the win as the Jackets held the Oilers scoreless. Kanon Jany, Trey McCartney, and Donnie Sabo led the Jackets. Jany recorded 4 solo tackles, 4 assists, 1 sack and 1 tackle for a loss. McCartney has 3 solos, 2 assists, and 2 tackles for a loss (TFL). Sabo recorded 3 solos, and 1 assist.
Twelve other YellowJackets contributed to the defensive success including Zane Eggemeyer (2 solos, 1 assist), Landen Conder (2 solos, 2 assists), Ethan Colvis (2 solos, 1 TKL), Morgan Miers (2 solos, 1 assist, 2 TKL), Isaac Sims (2 solos, 1 sack, 2 TKL) Alex Blechle (1 solo, 1 assist), TaShawn Palacio (1 solo), Reed Creason (1 solo), Rhett Creason (1 solo, 1 assist), Karim Landeros (1 solo, 2 assists), Caleb Coffey (1 solo, 1 assist), and Brayden Juenger (3 assists).
Karim Landeros kicked off eight times for a total of 291 yards. Reagan Sims had one kickoff for 44 yards.
Head Coach Billy Belton said, “The boys played great! It’s always nice to start off the season, 1-0. I am really proud of the boys and the effort they gave us! The defense played really well. We have a new defensive coordinator. Coach Danny Roth had done a great job with the defense. They have played well all summer.”
“I am also really like the way we played on offense. We got several boys involved with offensive success. There were six boys that scored touchdowns score tonight. This as a great win and I am proud of our players.”
“We now have to get ready for Pinckneyville. They are coming off a big win and they are going to be ready. We will have our hands full this weekend. We will have to play hard-nosed football for all four quarters!”
The Football YellowJackets from Chester take the field for the first game of the season Friday August 29 at W.O. Smith Field at CHS. The Jackets shut out the Oilers from East Alton-Wood River, 55-0, to start the season, 1-0. Jim Beers Photo
Players and coaches from both Chester and East Alton-Wood River meet together center field with the referees for the traditional coin toss Friday August 29. The YellowJackets hosted the Oilers in Game 1 of the 2025 season. It was the openers for both teams. East Alton-Wood River received the opening kickoff, and Chester received the ball to start the second half. Jim Beers Photo
Game Officials await the coin toss at the Chester vs East Alton-Wood River game Friday Augst 29. It was opening night/season opener for them as well as it was for all IHSA teams that evening. Pictured in no particular order were Brad Beighly, Mike Moorman, Mike Lutz, Clint Cowan, and Lonnie Bennbrook. Jim Beers Photo
CHS quarterback Tray Peters (16) scrambles for a 19-yarde touchdown at the 6:05 mark of the first quarter Friday August. The Jackets hosted East Alton-Wood River in the season opener for both teams. Peter’s TD was Chester’s second of the game and helped give the Jackets a 13-0 lead. Karim Landeros kicked the extra point, his second of the evening, to make the score, 14-0. Jim Beers Photo
Chester running back, Ethan Colvis (25) a senior, breaks several tackles in his charge down field against the EAWR Oilers. He achieved a first down with 3:01 left to play in the first quarter against the East Alton Wood River Oilers. Four plays later Colvis scored Chester’s third touchdown of the first quarter on a 7-yard run. Landeros kicked his third extra-point and the Jackets led, 21-0 at the 1:16 mark in the first period. Jim Beers Photo
Players and fans stood for a moment of silence prior to the playing of the National Anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner”, at the CHS vs EAWR football game Friday August 29. The gesture was in memory of those who were affected in the Minnesota school shooting last week. Fans were asked to come together to honor the victims, support their families, and to stand in solidarity with the students, staff, and communities that will be forever impacted by this heartbreaking event. Jim Beers Photo