The Chester High School Football Program previewed its 2018 program Friday August 17 at the Annual Soup Game at CHS W.O. Smith Field. The event featured all three of Chester's teams: Freshman, sophomore/JV, and varsity.
The 2018 program boasts the most players out for football in recent years with a total of 65 players. Of those, 21 are freshmen, 20 are sophomores, 11 are juniors and 13 are seniors.
The preview night began at 6 p.m. with photo opportunities down on the field where fans could get up close and personal with players to meet and greet the boys who would be competing throughout the season. CHS Cheerleaders were also on hand to both meet the public up close and provide spirit throughout the scrimmages.
Prior to the start of the football scrimmages, the public had a change to meet the players taking part in the 2018 Chester Stingers Football Program. Those Stingers and Stinger Cheerleaders that were present were introduced one-by-one as they crossed the field and ran through a tunnel formed by the CHS Football players and Cheerleaders. The Stinger numbers also appeared to be up this year as the 2018 program featured 18 freshmen players, 19 sophomore players, 23 JV players and 17 varsity players for a total of 77 players for the entire program. There are also an additional 17 Stinger Cheerleaders associated with the program. The group was a huge hit with the large crowd on hand at the CHS Preview Night.
The scrimmages began at 7 p.m. with the 21 freshman players exhibiting their skills in a series of 15 offensive plays. The rookies did a wonderful job during the scrimmage with several players standing out on offense.
Dylan Kelkhoff and Ethan Stumpe will be handling the quarterback duties this year for the freshmen. Aiden Jany, Issac Jany, Damien Fernandez, and Hayden Roth did a great job at the running back slots. Aiden Kennon, Cooper Eggemeyer, Jared Landeros, Jacob Cowell, and Brendan Baughman were featured at the receiver positions.
The offensive and defensive lines were comprised of Freddie Alvarez, Connor Wolff, Isaac Maue, Gavin Young, Aaron Fitzwilliam, Nathan Snider, Marcus Murphy, Jerald Copple II, and Brayden Ridings.
The freshmen demonstrated that they have been learning the ropes during summer and preseason workouts and put it all together during the 15 offensive plays throughout the scrimmage. The freshmen are coached by Jake Cowan. Cowan is assisted by John Oglesby and Trevor Kelkhoff.
The freshmen open their season Saturday August 25 at the Fairfield Jamboree at 10 a.m. The home opener will be Thursday September 6 at W.O. Smith Field at 6:15 a.m.
The Sophomore/JV team consists of 20 sophomores. Those veterans are supported by an additional 21 freshmen as needed.
Sophomores include Haydan Gendron, Nate Heffernan, Eli Hughes, Nathan Fricke, Justin Clendenin, Caleb Parker, Evan Neimeyer, Lucas Rader, Shane Hyman, Dylan Hamilton, Tyler Holm, Alex Gruenewald, John Hobeck, Nick James, William Sorto, Bradley Ruch, Matt Renfroe, Devon Adams, Zayne Stueve, and Daigen Hunter.
The JV did a good job of scrimmaging, led by quarterback Nate Heffernan. Dylan Kelkhoff and Ethan Stumpe will serve as backup quarterbacks. During the scrimmage Aiden Kennon, Eli Hughes, Justin Clendenin, and Lucas Rader saw playing time at wide receiver.
Jordan Merideth, Aiden Jany, John Hobeck, Hayden Roth, and Isaac Jany handled the running back duties. The offensive and defensive lines are shored with a group of 17 players that did a good job during the scrimmage.
The JV is coached by Trevor Kelkhoff who is assisted by Charles Colvis, John Oglesby and Jake Cowan. The JV will play at Eldorado Monday August 27 at 6:15 p.m. and will host their first home game Tuesday September 4 at W.O. Smith Field at 6:15 p.m.
The 2018 Varsity Yellow Jackets consist of 44 players; 13 seniors, 11 juniors and 20 sophomores. The varsity will debut their squad this Friday August 24 hosting Eldorado at Chester High School's W.O. Smith Field at 7 p.m. The CHS Dance Team will also hold their 2018 Dance Camp performance at 6:30 p.m. prior to the YellowJacket pre game show.
The Jackets are led by quarterback Nick Meyer. Nate Heffernan will back up Meyer as needed. Keith Kiner III, Ian Reith, Erik Cowell Daigen Hunter, Hayden Gendron, Marisellis Malone Jr. will hold down the wide receiver duties.
Tristin Hobeck, Ethan Rayburn, Ethan Eggemeyer, Drake Bollman, Ethan Bert, and Ethan Thompson are on slate to handle the running back efforts.
The offensive and defensive lines will be manned by Hunter Munie, Gage Bollmann, Devin Straight, Cody Wahl, Jakob Crabtree, Brenden Murphy, Chase Colvis, Kaleb Hughes, and Caleb Nolen. Sophomores will fill in as needed in all positions.
The varsity is coached by Billy Belton. Belton is assisted by Curt Eggemeyer, Charles Colvis, Boyd Miles, John Oglesby, Trevor Kelkhoff, and Jake Cowan. Dale Wahl is the Film Coordinator.
The varsity did well during the scrimmage, but had to cut their workout short due to an impending storm that reared its ugly head near the later portion of the scrimmage. The team and coaches wish to say thanks to several local sponsors who have helped to support the team so far this season including: Gilster Mary-Lee, VFW of Chester, Buena Vista Bank, Chester Eagles, Chester Family Dental, Lee's Sports, Plumbing Solutions, Inc., Colvis Investments Services, Korando Heating and Cooling, Memorial Hospital, Uptown Barbers, Amrent Contracting, Inc., Knights of Columbus, Partners Insurance Agency, Reid's Harvest House, Muddy River Coffee, and Neal and Sons Flooring.
