by Steve Dunford
Red Devils out of the tunnel last week against CZR (Sesser-Valier Booster Club photo.)
This is probably will be the best game of the week in the Black Diamond and will rival Benton-Harrisburg, not in Franklin County but all of Southern Illinois.
The Devils are coming off a week five 66-0 drubbing of CZR in the Route 148 showdown. Fullback Peyton Rock was named WSIL player of the week with two rushing touchdowns and a pick six, averaging over 30 yards a carry on the night. Chester beat Johnston City 47-29 in which QB Nick Meyer passed for five touchdowns and rushed for a sixth.
Here is what Yellow Jacket coach Billy Belton had to say coming into the matchup with SVWW tonight, “Nick Meyer(QB) has accounted for 20 TDs on the season. 12 passing and 8 Rushing. Clayton Richleman and Calvin Clendinen have done a great job on the outside for us(Wide Outs) they have combined for 8 receiving TDs. Curt Meyer, Nick Heffernan and Mason Westerman lead our rushing attack. Our Defense has played well in the 3 wins. Our D-Line is getting better each week, led by our senior Brady Kelkhoff. Brady has 6 Tackles for Loss, a caused fumble and a fumble recovery in our 3 wins. Everyone is healthy.”
“SVWW is always well coached. they have a great mix of size and speed. They have several play makers on the offensive side of the ball. They are big and fast on the defensive side of the ball. They are 5-0 and we look forward to the challenge tonight.”
Coach Belton also told the Randolph County Herald-Tribune about tonight’s matchup, “They’ve got some big linemen, they’re very athletic,” Belton said of S-V-W-W. “They run a buck sweep offense that tries to overwhelm you at the point of attack.
“We’ll have our hands full this week.”
I tried to see if there were film out there on the Hamco game from NewsChannel 15 in Mt. Carmel and there wasn’t. From clips in the past and keeping my ear to the ground, I knew that Meyer was going to be a load for the Devils.
I am going with the Devils by 14, but it could be much tighter. This is going to be their biggest test since Eldorado. It will also be their biggest test before going to the Train Yard on Week Nine.
I have been talking about the playoffs in each preview, and with the BDC being a closed conference, the Devils have clinched. Each win is for a better seed. With a combined enrollment decreasing to 488, they will have a lock on being 3A.
Unless an earth shattering upset happens to the Yellow Jackets, they are in very good shape getting in. I feel they are heavy favorites in weeks eight and nine against CZR and Edwards County. I like their chances at home against Carmi next week.
Chester will be 1A, and a very dangerous 1A team in the playoffs.
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