Chester wins 41-0 on the road over the Tigers to improve to 5-2 overall and 4-0 in the Cahokia Conference
BY JIM BEERS
The Chester YellowJackets played a great game Friday October 2 at Dupo against the Tigers. Chester led 7-0 after the first quarter, then added three touchdowns in the second quarter to lead 27-0 at halftime.
The Jackets scored twice again in the third quarter to lead 41-0 after three periods. Neither team scored in the final quarter for a final score of Chester 41- Dupo 0.
Of Chester’s six touchdowns, one came from a TaShawn Palacio interception late in the second quarter. He intercepted the Tiger pass and returned it for a 78-yard TD. The final touchdown of the game came in the third quarter when Donnie Sabo took a Dupo punt and returned it 75-yards for Chester’s final TD.
Coach Billy Belton said, “I think we played really well in all three phases. Coach Roth had a great defensive game plan and got another shutout. TaShawn Palacio had a “pick-6” and Donnie Sabo had a big punt return for a touchdown. Coach Colvis did a great job with the special teams.”
“Lance Thompson blocked a punt. Offensively we moved the ball well. Alex Blechle, TaShawn Palacio, and Trey McCartney had big days. It was a great team win!”
“TaShawn Palacio broke the career touchdown record that his brother Devante Palacio set. He now has 22 career receiving touchdowns. Karim Landeros had a big day on the defensive side of the ball. He recorded 5 solo tackles, 4 tackles for a loss, 2 tackle assists, and 1 quarterback sack. Donnie Sabo also had a big game with a 75-yard punt return for a touchdown.”
“Belton said, “We have Red Bud this week and it is going to be a battle for the Cahokia Conference, Illinois Division Championship.”
Chester comes into the game in Week 8 with an overall record of 5-2 and a Cahokia Conference record of 4-0, undefeated in the Illinois Division. The Red Bud game will be a pivotal contest! A YellowJacket win will give them the undisputed Cahokia Conference, Illinois Division championship with a perfect, 5-0 record.
Next week the YellowJackets will close out the regular season on the road at former River-to River, Mississippi Division foe, Nashville. The Hornets will be a great test for post-season play. The
Jackets are hopeful for a good matchup in the 2026 IHSA Class 2A Football Playoffs, but Coach Belton and his squad are taking each game, one-game-at-a-time, to do their best to help control their own destiny regarding playoffs!