Chester runs and throws past Rustin to earn district title game appearance
Tagged under: District 1, Gameday Hub, News, pfn, Playoffs
Anthony Franklin | November 15, 2025
The Chester Clippers are a program record 13-0 with the most wins in a season in program history. Saturday in the home finale Rustin drove down field early on a 46 yard run from Sr RB Jimmy Boland to get the Golden Knights into the red zone. Chester’s defense buckled down and forced Rustin into a 4th down field goal attempt that ended up being blocked. Chester taking over on its own 18 yard line would fumble and give Rustin the ball back in scoring territory. Once again Chester’s defense stood tall and a 28 yard field goal sailed wide left giving Chester the ball back at their own 28 yard line. Chester jumped out to an early 7-0 lead when Sr QB Jalen Harris found fellow Sr RB Shadrach George for a 78 yard touchdown with 3:55 left in the first quarter. Rustin’s offense found success running with their duo of Jimmy Boland and Will Garner but Chester’s defense led by the big defensive front kept coming up with timely stops. Early in the 2nd quarter Jr RB Colin Baldeari got Rustin on the board with a hard fought 11 yard run to cut the score to 7-6.
The score would remain 7-6 until Jalen found Sr TE Damon Fitzgerald in the corner of the endzone for a short touchdown to extend the lead to 13-6 at the half. The second half Chester’s offense would stall on the first possession and Rustin on their first possession marched downfield and tied the game when Sr QB Max Blane ran 24 yards before fumbling the ball and Will jumped on it in the endzone for a touchdown. With the score 13-13 Chester offense opened up utilizing the passing game and capped the drive with Jalen running in from a yard to give the Clippers a 19-13 lead with 4:46 remaining in the 3rd quarter. The Rustin offense took the field and despite a few good runs stalled giving Chester the ball back and on 4th down at the goal line Jalen called his own number providing the game final points to make it a 27-13 ball game. Jalen would also cap the game with an interception on defense with under a minute remaining.
Jalen a 4 year starter played his final game on the historic field in Chester in a clipper uniform. He stated “this week of preparation we didn’t really focus on it being the final home game we were really just focused on Rustin”. With regards to his progression and read on first touchdown pass (78 yards) on the afternoon he mentioned “I saw their outside backer dropping with my receiver so I just checked it down to my back and let our playmaker make a play”. For the most part Jalen had a clean pocket and the offensive line played great in the run game Jalen stated “It’s very huge because in the past we didn’t really have a great offensive line but now we have a great 5 and I feel as though they can line up and block anybody that lines up in front of them”. When discussing the final play he made on the day from his defensive back position to seal the game Jalen says “They threw a toss and pass off of it which I didn’t think they would throw because our cornerback Sire Hall strapped up the receiver and I just saw the ball in the air and I knew it was going to get it”.
Jalen being the county leader in passing yards today added another record by being apart of the first 13-0 team in Chester High history. Jalen states “It feels amazing to know all the hard work we’ve put in over the years and to see everything come to life it’s just amazing considering Chester has always been a basketball school. So it’s great to see the football game thrive”. Jalen and the Clippers will travel across Delaware county next Friday night to play Springfield for the district 1 5A title. What most excites Jalen is “I’m looking forward to us finally proving ourselves against a good opponent and having a healthy Daron back next week”. One observation this year with the team is the chemistry and maturity is something that’s helped them reach a new level of success. Jalen acknowledged “‘it’s more of a brotherhood than a team so our chemistry is second to none which plays a big role in it”. Finally Jalen has a huge fan base and support system but acknowledges “my lord and savior Jesus Christ, my mother and my family and everyone have helped me by playing a role in my life and football career thus far”.
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