CHS frosh, JV defeat Hamilton County in split contest

Posted September 04, 2015 11:00 pm

By Pete Spitler Staff Writer

Chester freshman quarterback Nick Meyer ran for a touchdown and threw for another in the first game and Jack Hathaway's 5-yard touchdown run in the second gave Chester a sweep of Hamilton County on Saturday at W.O. Smith Field.

In a split contest that contained two halves instead of four quarters for each level, the Chester freshmen battled through a 15-minute first half in 90-degree heat in which the Yellow Jackets scored three times as part of a 26-8 victory.

Hamilton County held a brief 8-7 lead after Sam Lueke hauled in a 54-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Matt Gage and Damian Parker ran in the conversion with 7:36 left in the half.

On Chester's ensuing possession, Yellow Jacket running back Drake Bollman capped off a 66-yard drive with a 25-yard touchdown run. Tristin Hobeck's extra point try hit the crossbar, giving Chester a 13-8 advantage.

"Our backfield is blocking much better," said Chester coach Charles Colvis. "That's what was our weakest spot, our lead blockers not picking up their guys.

"Erik Cowell did a tremendous job (Saturday) and he blocked his guy every time. Both times I watched him individually, we went in for a score because of his blocking."

Three of Chester's five offensive drives started in Hamilton County territory. Mason Carnahan and Bollman both picked off Gage to set up short fields and Hunter Munie also recovered a key Foxes fumble.

"Field position's key and when you're looking at pushing them backwards, they're playing to hold you and we're playing to drive it in," Colvis said.

Bollman led Chester on the ground with 63 yards on four carries, while Hobeck finished with 60 yards on nine carries.

Hobeck had a 4-yard touchdown run with 49 seconds left in the first half that gave the Yellow Jackets a 19-8 lead.

"They executed perfectly," Colvis said of his running backs. "That was one of the comments from the officials in that our backfield executes."

Eathan Thompson had 35 yards on five carries and Munie was held to no yardage on two carries. Meyer was 2-for-4 passing for 43 yards and a 31-yard touchdown pass to Cowell that was the lone score of the second half.

Defensively, Bollman and Thompson had four tackles each to lead Chester, with Thompson also recording a sack. The Yellow Jackets will travel to West Frankfort on Thursday.

"We looked good (Saturday)," Colvis said. "I think we'll be alright."

Chester JV 6, HamCo 0:

In the junior varsity contest, Chester's defense made Hathaway's score with 4:59 left in the first quarter stand up.

The Yellow Jackets (1-1) struggled on the ground with Hathaway leading the way with 29 yards on six carries and Pierson Lyons getting 10 yards on four attempts.

Eathan Thompson had a team-high 10 tackles, including one for loss. Drake Bollman, Brady Kelkhoff and Adam Shipley all had four tackles, while Brandon Wright and Chase Colvis both had three.

The Chester JV will travel to Vienna-Goreville on Monday.

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