The 2010 football season brings in a new era for Chester football—the Black Diamond Conference era.
After a long stint with the Southern Illinois River-to-River Conference, the Yellow Jackets debut in the Black Diamond this season looking for their third consecutive trip to the state playoffs under coach Bryan Lee and his staff.
“Three things make Chester football—discipline, playing hard-nosed football and work ethic,” said Lee. “It doesn’t matter what conference we are in or who we play. If we do those three things, we will be successful.”
Chester returns five starters on offense and five on defense. While the squad will be inexperienced compared to previous teams, the familiarity with the system is what Lee is banking on.
“The knowledge of this system will be huge this year,” said Lee. “The kids know their roles and I expect them to play well as a team.”
The Jackets will once again rely on its dominant defense and strong running attack.
“We have a very good linebacking core,” Lee said. “Seniors John Baughman and Danny Roth were both all conference last year, and we expect bigger and better things from them. Also, Justin Woodward is one of the best defensive ends I’ve ever seen. We will also have a very strong and athletic offensive line—the biggest since I’ve been here. We also return our starting quarterback, tailback and wingback.”
Senior Zach Lochhead (6’3, 180) is back under center for Chester, while Baughman (5’9, 180) and junior Clint Cole (6’1, 180) also return to give the Jackets a solid and experienced backfield.
“We have a lot of speed this year,” said Lee. “We had been very fullback dominant in the past. This year will have three different tools to use which makes it harder for teams to prepare for.”
Sophomores Zane Wallace (5’9, 195) and Stephen “Whitey” Roth (5’9, 170) will rotate at the fullback position.
Senior Justin Eggemeyer (5’10, 175) will start at wide-out, while senior Brandon Straight (5’11, 160) and junior Zach Murdach (5’9, 160) will also see time.

“All of the wide-outs can block and catch,” said Lee. “In our type of offense, they need to be very physical.”
Woodward will start at tight end. “Woodward gives us a very quick and strong presence at tight end,” added Lee.
Starting on the offensive line for the Yellow Jackets will be seniors Seth Johnson (6’3, 270) and Trever Brant (5’11, 250) at the tackles, Roth and junior Brad Bindel (6’1, 265) at the guard positions and senior Jordan Wetzel (5’9, 180) at center.
“The line is big, smart and they can all move,” said Lee. “Our linemen are good athletes and can get up field with their blocks.”
On the other side of the line, Wallace will start at nose guard, while Bindel will be at defensive tackle. The other tackle spot will be filled by using a rotation of seniors Rhett Holley (6’, 190) and Austin McLean (6’2, 215).
Woodward is back at defensive end while junior Tyler Chandler (6’, 185) will also see time up front.
“The team chemistry has been amazing so far this season,” said Lee. “It is the most pleasant locker room atmosphere in my 15 years of being a coach. All the players are very positive, and they have a lot of confidence.”
Roth and Baughman will lead a strong linebacking unit. Wetzel will start as an outside linebacker along with Baughman, while Roth will solidify the middle along with a position that will be manned by a rotation of Stephen Roth and Wallace.
“We have a good mix of size and speed at linebacker,” added Lee. “Danny Roth is extremely smart out there and he is our leader on the field. Baughman is one of the most dangerous outside linebackers in southern Illinois. He can hit as hard as anyone.”
In the secondary Eggemeyer and Cole will start at cornerback while the safety position will be manned by a number of different players including Straight, Murdach, sophomore Jake Cowan (5’11, 160), sophomore Caleb Arbeiter (5’11, 150) and senior Tyler Jones (5’8, 160).
“Cole and Eggemeyer can cover a lot of ground out there,” said Lee. “We should be improved in our pass defense and these guys can come up and play strong against the run.”
Johnson will be the team’s place kicker while Baughman will handle the punting duties.
Chester is favored to be one of the top teams in the Black Diamond this year along with Fairfield, Carmi-White County and Johnston City.
“Carmi will be tough and so will Fairfield,” said Lee. “Johnston City has good tradition and they come to play every game. All the teams in this league can win.”
Chester hosts defending conference champions Sesser-Valier Friday night to open the season. The Jackets then travel to Carmi in week two before hosting Christopher-Zeigler-Royalton in week three.