JC Indians can't stop Yellowjackets

CHESTER - The Johnston City Indians' football team got the offense clicking in the second half Friday, but dug itself too deep a hole in the first half as the host Chester Yellowjackets rolled to a 47-29 Black Diamond Conference victory.
The Indians (1-4 in the league and overall) could not contain the Yellowjackets' offense over the first two periods, surrendering six touchdowns and trailed 41-12 at the break.
The Tribe fared much better in the second half, outscoring the home team 17-6.
Dalton Frick completed 7-of-9 passes for 236 yards with four touchdowns, while being intercepted just once. Houston Hall was on the receiving end of two of those touchdown tosses. Dallas Johnson and Jonny Steed had one score each.
Top rusher for JC was Luca Gualdoni, who amassed 140 yards on 17 carries.
"It was the same thing that has plagued this team all season - penalties and turnovers," said JC head coach Dan Mings. "We had 10 penalties and seven turnovers. You just can't win games doing that. And you can't fall behind by as much as we did early and expect to win. We played a great second half, but the first half sealed our fate."
Mings said he has no quarrel, however, with his club's effort.
"That hasn't been lacking," he said.
Chester, now 3-2 in the league and overall, was led by quarterback Nick Meyer, who tossed five touchdown passes and totaled 192 yards through the air. He also rushed for 75 yards and added a score.
"Nick Meyer made some big plays to stop their momentum early and it just kind of went from there," said Chester coach Billy Belton. "It's his second year in the offense. The offense is set up for a mobile quarterback and being a big, strong kid, he's able to run the ball like a tailback and has the arm of a quarterback."
Belton said he knew the Indians would be a formidable opponent.
"They are better than their record," he said.
Calvin Clendenin and Clayton Richelman had big nights catching the ball for Chester with Clendenin finishing with 84 yards receiving and two touchdowns and Richelman adding 78 yards and a score, as well.
In total, six different Yellowjackets found the end zone against the Indians, with Nick Heffernan and Ethan Bert also recording touchdowns.
Johnston City returns to action at 7 p.m. Friday at Carmi, while Chester will get a big test this week when the Yellowjackets travel to Carroll Kelly Field to face undefeated Sesser-Valier/Waltonville/Woodlawn.
Pete Spitler with the Randolph County Herald Tribune contributed to this story.