The traditional pre-game coin toss is typically attended by team captains and respective coaches. Shown here, Chester’s Jackie Bess (66), TaShawn Palacio (11), Zane Eggemeyer (7), and Trey McCartney (88), join CHS Head Coach Billy Belton, AJ Head Coach Joel Dallas, four AJ Wildcat players, and referees Preston Chapman, Ralph Chapman, Kody Hess, Blake Thornton, and Wes Milam in the “Coin Toss Ceremony.” In this particular coin toss Chester ended up kicking off to AJ and the Wildcats received the kick to start the game. Jim Beers Photo
Chester’s premiere kicker Karim Landeros (55) kicks the extra-point with .19 seconds remaining on the clock in the first quarter of the CHS vs Anna-Jonesboro game Friday August 28. His kick was good to give the YellowJackets a 14-0 lead. It was Landeros’s second successful extra-point kick of the game at that point. His first successful kick of the night came at the 6:40 mark following an Alex Blechle quarterback scramble for a 4-yard touchdown. The Landeros extra-point kick completed a personal-best record of 100 career extra-points kicks for Karim. Jim Beers Photo
On Friday night August 28 the Chester YellowJackets opened their home season at W.O. Smith Field when the Anna-Jonesboro Wildcats came to town. A decade’s old tradition of having the YellowJacket Football Team storm the field from the end zone was continued this 2026 season as well as another tradition of having key players, typically seniors, lead the team on the field carrying the United States Flag and the Chester High School sports flags. On this night Karim Landeros (55), and Landen Conder (14), carried the YellowJacket flags and Jackie Bess (66) had the honor of carrying the Grand Old American Flag. Jim Beers Photo
The Chester High School Marching YellowJackets, under the direction of first year new band director, Micy Trout, makes their way back to the W.O. Smith Football Field after maintaining the tradition of performing at each of the two pre-game tail gate parties along Swanwick Street and Morrison Street. That tradition was started years ago by then CHS Band Director, Steve Colonel. The band is a highlight of both tailgates each home game. Jim Beers Photo
The CHS Cheerleaders, coached by Paige Gendron and Emma Eggemeyer, perform during the pre-game ceremony Friday August 28 at the 2026 CHS Home Football Game Opener. Photo by Jim Beers
The Chester High School Dance Team performs at the CHS vs Anna-Jonesboro football game Friday August 28. The team performed at both pre-game and halftime occasions. At halftime they danced to the high-energy tune titled, “Level Up” by Ciara. The CHS Dance Team is coached by Adrianne Kern and Bailey Misuraca-Meyer. Jim Beers Photo
The Chester High School Band, Dance Team and Cheerleading Team perform at the Pre-Game Ceremony of the Chester YellowJackets vs Anna-Jonesboro Wildcats Football Game Friday August 28. It was the home opener for CHS, and the Jackets got a shut-out, 48-0 win over the Cats. Jim Beers Photo