Chester football, Week 3: Yellow Jackets back on winning track by caging Vienna Eagles
The Yellow Jackets were all offense in the first half of Saturday's decisive win over the Vienna Eagles, and all defense in the second half. It was a winning formula, leading to a 41-8 road win for the 2-1 Jackets, who also notched another Black Diamond Conference victory.
"Today's win was a true team effort," said a satisfied CHS Head Coach Billy Belton. "Everybody played and everybody contributed to the win."
The defense, he said, was "amazing."
"We created three fumbles and had two interceptions," Belton said, adding the defense held Vienna to just 46 yards rushing. "Landeros and Cowell each had interceptions and Ruch had a fumble recovery. I am proud of the defensive unit!"
Belton had strong praise for the offensive line, saying it helped the team achieve a remarkable 323 yards, 72 passing and 251 rushing.
"Jacob Cowell and Haydan Gendron came into the game today for injured players and did a wonderful job," the coach added. "Hats off to them both!"
Chester buzzed the Eagles 28-0 in the first quarter and stung them 13-0 in the second quarter to lead, 41-0 at halftime. In the third quarter the Eagles scored a touchdown and ran for two extra points. Both teams were scoreless in the final period.
With the win, Chester improved to 2-1 overall and 2-1 in the Black Diamond Conference. Vienna fell to 0-2 overall and 0-2 in the BDC.
In the first quarter, Jordan Merideth drew first blood on a 49-yard pass from CHS quarterback Dylan Kelkhoff. Jared Landeros' extra point kick was good. CHS led, 7-0.
Merideth struck again on a 4-yard run for Chester's second touchdown. Jared Landeros kicked another perfect extra point, to give CHS a 14-0 lead.
Ethan Stumpe, a junior, ran the ball into the end zone from the 7. Landeros hit another kick, and the Jackets extended their lead, 21-0.
Daigen Hunter scored the final Chester touchdown of the opening quarter on a 3-yard run. Landeros kicked the extra point and CHS led 28-0 as the horn sounded to end the first quarter.
The Jordan Merideth show continued in the second quarter as the CHS running back scored an additional two touchdowns. His first TD was on a 3-yard run and his second was a 34-yard run. Jared Landeros hit 1 for 2 extra point kicks, and CHS took a 41-0 lead into the locker room at the half.
In the third quarter Vienna finally got on the scoreboard with a 3-yard touchdown run. The Eagles ran the two-point conversion with success and the Eagles trailed, 41-8. Neither team scored in the fourth quarter. The game ended with Chester on top, 41-0, for the win.
Game stats
CHS standouts: Dylan Kelkhoff threw for 72 yards; Jordan Merideth rushed for 186 yards and had 72 receiving yards.
Total yards: CHS, 323 yards (72 passing, 251 rushing: Vienna, 46 yards (all rushing).
Plays: Chester, 42; Vienna, 40.
First downs: CHS, 13; Vienna, 4
Third down efficiency: Jackets, 20% (1-5). Eagles, 10% (1-10).
Fourth down efficiency: Jackets, 100% (1-1). Eagles, 33% (1-3).
Turnovers: Chester, 3 lost fumbles. Vienna, two interceptions and three lost fumbles. Jackets Jared Landeros and Jacob Cowell each had pass interceptions; Bradley Ruch had a fumble recovery.
Penalties: CHS, 12 total yards. Vienna had no penalties.
Passing: CHS quarterback Dylan Kelkhoff was 2-for-4, passing for 72 yards and one touchdown. Vienna had no passing yardage.
Rushing: The Yellow Jackets had a huge day on the ground, with 251 yards rushing. Jordan Merideth, 186 yards on 11 attempts and 3 TDs. Dylan Kelkhoff, 21 yards on four attempts. Jacob Cowell, 3 yards on seven runs. Aiden Kennon, 7 yards on five runs. Ethan Stumpe, 7 yards and a TD on one run. Daigen Hunter, 5 yards on two attempts and 1 TD. Vienna had 46 rushing yards: J. Bagby (19 yards/7 attempts); W. Henderson (6 yards/16 attempts); and the rest of the Eagles (11 yards/22 attempts).
Tackles: The Jackets had nine solo tackles, Daigen Hunter (4), Jared Landeros (3), Jacob Cowell (1) and Bradley Ruch (1). The Jackets had 24 tackle assists, Daigen Hunter (3), Jared Landeros (2), Jacob Cowell (9), Bradley Ruch (3), Tyler Holm (3), Nate Fricke (2), Devon Adams (2) and Nate Heffernan (1).
Chester will host Sesser-Valier at 7 p.m. Friday at W.O. Smith Field. Seating available for 1,000 fans. Masks are required and social distancing will be observed.