The Chester Yellow Jackets advanced to the 2A state playoffs last season under first-year head coach Bryan Lee. The future looks bright for Chester, as the team looks to build off last season’s accomplishments and set new heights for the football program.
The task won’t be easy for Lee and the Jackets. They had to replace their top passer (David Winters), their top receiver (Alex Lankford) and their two top rushers (Stephen Wallace and Matt Roth).
“We lost some key players from last year, but we feel that we have a very balanced backfield now that is used to the system we run,” said Lee.
Chester does have some key additions to this year’s squad in senior Isaac McMullin (5’11 165) who missed all of last year with off the field issues and a junior transfer from Ste. Genevieve Valle Catholic Dan Roth (5’10 195).
The Jackets have six returning offensive starters and six returning defensive starters from a team that finished 5-5.
Zach Lochhead (6’1 170 junior) is the starting quarter back with Aaron Grah (6’3 180 senior) serving as his backup.
“We have two very good quarterbacks, but Zach has shown us a little bit more this summer,” said Lee. “It will be nice to have the same starting quarterback for two years.”
Chester, which features a run orientated attack, has a number of horses in the stable to keep the offense running this season.
Roth and Tim Sullins (5‘11 225 senior) will see the most carries at fullback, while McMullin, John Baughman (5’9 170 junior), Clint Cole (6’1 170 sophomore) and Justin Eggemeyer (5’10 165 junior) will all see time at wingback.
“Our running attack will be very balanced this year,” said Lee. “Sullins is a very hard runner, while Roth is a little quicker. We will have a nice two-headed monster at the fullback position. With our wingbacks, we will have good speed on the outside. Our depth will make it hard for our opponents to try and key on just one of our runners.”
Dan Adams (6’2 190 senior) will be the team’s top receiver, while Carlo Marconi (6’2 215 senior) and Justin Woodward (6’1 190 junior) will start at the tight end positions.
“Dan had a great off-season,” said Lee. “He has nice hands and is pretty athletic. Carlo and Justin are good receivers and good blockers for us at tight end. Isaac is also a very good receiver as a wingback.”
Chester’s biggest strength on offense may be their offensive line play as they return four of five starters from last year’s squad.
Wes Cowan (6’2 190 senior) was an all conference performer at center last year and will look to help anchor this line once again. Kenny White (5’8 210 senior) is another all conference selection back for the Chester offensive line. Josh Ruch (6’2 210 senior) and Randy Beam (5’7 175 senior) are also back to help support the line. Brad Bindel (6’1 255 sophomore) is also expected to start on the line for Chester, while Seth Johnson (6’3 290 junior) will also see plenty of playing time.
“We have a lot of experience back on the offensive line,” said Lee. “This is the second year they have played in this system, and that will help out tremendously. We have a lot of smart kids with good leadership in this group. I expect us to be better up-front than last year.”
On the defensive line, Jake Rock (5’7 185 senior) and White will anchor the middle along with Sullins at times. Marconi and Woodward will start at the ends for Chester.
“We don’t have a lot of big bodies up-front, but we do have a lot of speed and agility,” said Lee. “These guys are very experienced and can get off the line fast and get after the ball.”
Roth will start at middle linebacker for Chester, while Sullins will see time there as well. Cole and Baughman will get the start at the outside linebacker spots.
“Roth had a phenomenal year last season at Valle and we expect him to do well for us as well,” said Lee. “Cole and Baughman give us great speed on the outside. All of our linebackers are talented and hard hitting. We really have three playmakers back there for us.”
Grah will start at safety for the Jackets, with McMullin and Eggemeyer getting the nod at the cornerback spots. Dustin Aubuchon (5’11 175 senior) will also see plenty of time in the secondary.
“Aaron is a great leader back there, and he can make some hard hits,” said Lee. “Isaac will help us a lot in our coverage as well as stopping the run, while Eggemeyer is our best cover player. Aubuchon gives us good depth.”
This will be a farewell tour for Chester in the SIRR Mississippi Division this year as they prepare for the move to the Black Diamond in 2010.
“We are leaving one good football conference for another good football conference,” said Lee. “Du Quoin and Anna-Jonesboro are always tough and well-coached. Nashville has a very good junior class and Pinckneyville will feature a very quick quarterback this season. Sparta has a coaching change, and that usually helps with excitement. There are some unknowns in the conference race this year, but one thing is for sure: Night in and night out it, will be a dogfight to earn wins in this conference. We want to have a good showing in our final year in the conference.”
Chester opens the season on the road against Carlyle Friday night.
