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Chester Hashes it out with Chichester, Improve to 8-1

Tagged under: District 1, Gameday Hub, News

| October 22, 2022

CHESTER PA – Just because it is fall does not mean there cannot be heat. Just off exit 6, a Del Val classic rivalry, was set on a cloudless Saturday afternoon. It was an atmosphere compared to the likes of college gameday, the Chester Clippers looked to show out just like their fans and bring home a win on their homecoming. Their rival, Chichester, looked to repeat their win from last year and prove everyone wrong in a game where many saw them being blown out. Chichester held their ground and kept a talented Chester offense to three straight scoreless quarters. Chester though, did not lose their rhythm as they put four scores up in the fourth to take the win 24-0.

It was déjà vu, Chester coming off their first loss just like last year. Chichester knew they had a chance to capitalize. If home-field advantage had a dictionary definition, it would be Chester’s homecoming crowd. The coin toss was won by Chester, and they elected to receive. Chester would get the ball to kick things off. As the music continued to blast, it was time for a Saturday Day with no Lights!

A very poised, young freshman QB, Jalen Harris, would lead his team onto the field, ready to take on Chichester’s defense. With wideouts to his left and right, he found no problem passing the ball like he did all season. Their first drive would end with Chichester’s Derrick Robertson sacking Harris and forcing a punt. With plenty of football left at that point, the panic was nowhere near the mind of any Chester player. Chichester’s offense under the direction of Walter Jones would try to move the ball upfield, but they would struggle to find the redzone. The first quarter would end scoreless.

Jalen Harris had no problem finding Cymeer Brown for automatic receptions; wherever Brown was, it did not matter that ball was his. For the rest of the half it would be the battle of the defenses. Chichester had two big names on defense, DT Eyan Thomas and DB Avery Billops. Thomas, having mutiple tackles in the first half, two being back to back, set up a 4th down in redzone for Chester. Billops, would find himself with mutiple PBU’s, one being on that 4th down Thomas set up, leading to a turnover on downs. The half-time festivities would kick-off, and the first half ended with a score of 0-0.

Returning to action it was understood, the team who made the mistakes first would fall. Spirits where high, knowing the scoreboard sat blank at the half just like it did last season. Chester would start the half with the rock, but getting pinned back on their own 29, would force them to punt on 4th and 13. Chichester needed a momentum shift, or something to carry them to a win. Chichester would get stuck in a 4th and 20, the punt team got sent out, and Dom Nardini would hang one up and down into the hands of Cymeer Brow, who was back to return. As many sat unfazed, the rock would pop out and tumble-out on the ground. Desperation kicked in for Chichester, and they fell on the ball. It was exactly what they needed. Chichester sat right on their opponents nine yard line. Hopes were high that the donut on the board would be erased. 1st and goal, no good, 2nd and goal, no good, 3rd and goal, no good. 4th and goal fell upon them, every down depleted the exciment of a score. The FG unit would march on looking for three. Chester’s Colin Ferrell would block the FG and make the fumble look like it never happened. The third would end with a not so suprising pass from Jalen Harris to Cymeer Brown for a huge morale boost. Scoreless through three, 0-0.

For many on each team, the last 12 minutes of this game could have been the last time they shared a field with each other, as many players grew up friends and still are to this day It was still business as the fourth quarter of play began. Chester would find themselves on their opponents redzone with visions of scoring in their minds. Jalen Harris stayed level minded and zipped a pass to no other than Cymeer Brown to break the scoreless game. A failed 2pt conversion would put Chester only up 6-0 with 11:11 remaining in the game. Chichester’s defensive reign would begin to crumble. Chichester facing mutiple three and outs would allow Chester to retain posession during the fourth. Jalen Harris, poised to seal a victory, would drive downfield with the help of Noble Thompson in the backfield. Even though Thompson had no eye opening plays, all they needed was his consistency throughout the game.

Another Jalen Harris pass would be on a rope to Cymeer Brown in the endzone for another score. 2pt failed, but it gave the Clippers a 12-0 lead with 6:56 remaining. As the fans yelled and music pumped through the speakers, the intensity would never die down once. Danny Kelly would soon find his way onto the field at QB. Pentaties across the whole game would drag this game-out to just around the three hour mark. After the clock winded down on Shawn Bedwell and Kahleef Best runs, Danny Kelly would throw into double coverage, allowing Malachi Holmes to intercept it. The taste of victory sat right on the tounge of Chester, but they were not finished. A drastic shift of the game outlook, put Chester in the driver’s seat.

As many people do, Jalen Harris got bored, and needed a new target. Fortunately for Harris, a target would open up and take it for a touchdown; that target was WR Aqeel Austin. Tack on another six for Chester, and the scoreboard would let everyone remember exaclty who they were. 18-0 was what the scoreboard read, and 4:45 remained in the game. Chichester would eventually punt and say goodbye to ball for the rest of the game. Jalen Harris would need just one play from scrimage, and he bulleted a pass to Dom Toy for a touchdown. A follow up 2pt conversion would be no good, and Chester would be relaxed knowing it was now a 24-0 game. With many starters out, the last three minutes of the game would be just a stalemate.

The Chester Clippers would sail on to win their homecoming 24-0. Chester made the right changes when it mattered most and never stopped applying pressure. They improve their record to an outstanding 8-1 and undefeated in Del Val; they will finish the regular season next week in a Del Val matchup against the 2-6 Academy Park Knights. As for Chichester, another loss slides into their record book and go to 1-8 overall and 0-3 in Del Val. Trying to end the season with a win next is not the only thing they have their sights on. They will also look to seek revenge on the 3-5 Bishop Shananhan Eagles, who beat them twice last year, once being the first round of the playoffs. Which eliminated Chichester and cut their postseason short.

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