Yellow Jackets face tough test in first game

Posted August 27, 2015 11:00 pm

By Pete Spitler Staff Writer

EDITOR'S NOTE: To see a short drone video of Chester's Soup Game scrimmage, see the Herald Tribune's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/randolphcountyheraldtribune.com.

In a bit of a transition year, It's not a stretch to say that Fairfield is not the ideal opponent for the first game of the season.

But that's what the Black Diamond Conference's two-year rotation has in store for Chester, which faces what could be the conference championship game tonight against Fairfield at W.O. Smith Field.

Including honorable mentions, the teams combine for nine returning all-conference selections, including three first team picks.

"Fairfield's an excellent team, they're going to bring their 'A' game no matter what," said Chester coach/defensive coordinator Jeremy Blechle, in his first year in the head coach role. "They are well-coached and extremely well-prepared. They have a fast offense and I imagine the defense will be the same."

The conversation about Chester starts with the BDC MVP, Jordan Berner. The 6-foot-6, 250-pounder has gotten interest from a variety of Division I colleges and enters his senior season with 232 career tackles (81 solo) and seven interceptions.

He also racked up 617 receiving yards and seven touchdowns at tight end last season, helping the Yellow Jackets advance to the Elite Eight.

Fairfield will counter with its own marquee standout in Colton Land. The 6-1, 205-pound senior ran for 1,409 yards and 19 touchdowns as a junior, earning a first-team All-BDC selection.

"I predict the game will go down to the final seconds," Blechle said. "I think both sides know what's at stake.

"I'm giving respect to Johnston City and Carmi and the other Black Diamond schools, I'm not writing them off, but I'm saying that the game has so much riding on it."

Chester will also have to contend with Scott Esmon, who ran for 612 yards and six touchdowns, earning himself a second-team selection.

Junior Wyatt Borah had 228 yards and five scores in 2014 and the returning honorable mention selection adds to the Mules' dangerous backfield mix.

On the other sideline, Chester senior Blake Eggemeyer is aiming for 1,000 yards rushing this year after compiling 880 yards and 18 scores last year.

"I've got more confidence, I'm pretty sure," Eggemeyer said on his mental approach to the season as a senior. "We have a great system of football. We play well, we hit hard, like we always have."

Besides the change in coaches, one of the biggest differences for Chester is behind center. Sophomore quarterback Curt Meyer earned the job during the Yellow Jackets' summer workouts and will take 689 passing yards and nine touchdowns of experience as a freshman into his first varsity campaign.

"He's a young kid, I would like him to gain a little bit more weight than he has, but he's extremely smart," Blechle said of Meyer. "He's spent more time breaking down film with (co-offensive coordinator) coach (Billy) Belton than any quarterback in history.

"He's has put in as much time and effort as a sophomore could to prepare himself for a football game."

Up front, Chester has seniors Garret Hoffman and Tyler Redeker as the focal point of a lineman group that also includes fellow seniors Zack Conner, Klayton Owens, Kristian Thompson and Christian Mitchell.

"We're going to get our fair share of being extremely physical on the football field, that's what Chester football is," Blechle said. "It's Freak Show football on the (defensive) side of the ball."

Kickoff tonight is scheduled for 7 p.m.

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