Chester football routs C-Z-R
After a rough game against Carmi-White County two weeks ago, the Chester football team got back on track in a big way on Friday against Christopher-Zeigler-Royalton.
Chester junior quarterback Nick Meyer threw for 256 yards and four touchdowns, and the Yellow Jackets handed C-Z-R a 60-0 loss that puts Chester (4-4) into a win-and-you're-in playoff scenario in the regular season finale against Edwards County next week.
"The offense looked sharp, we looked crisp," said Chester coach Billy Belton. "We were running good routes and Nick was getting the ball out quickly and I just thought we looked sharp."
Meyer also carved out a piece of history during the game, breaking former quarterback Curt Clendenin's 32-year-old record for the most single-season passing touchdowns.
Clendenin finished with 1,631 yards and 16 TDs in 1985 as the area's top passer. With at least one game left to play, Meyer has 1,206 passing yards and 17 TDs.
"Nick wouldn't have those stats if it wasn't for the offensive line blocking and the receivers running their routes," Belton said. "Nick's an amazing player, but he's got good athletes around him."
What makes the milestone special for Meyer is the record-breaking touchdown was caught by older brother Curt, who will be honored alongside nine other seniors during Chester's Senior Night festivities before next Friday's game.
Curt Meyer finished with four catches for 134 yards and three scores for Chester, which scored 28 points in the second quarter to take a 41-point lead at halftime. Curt Meyer also had an 11-yard rushing touchdown.
"We talked about what we were fighting for and we're still trying to make the playoffs and I feel the guys played with a lot of intensity and heart," Belton said.
Defensively, senior Nick Heffernan led Chester once again with nine tackles (five solo), with Keith Kiner, Wyatt Roth, Tristin Hobeck and Chase Colvis all contributing seven each.
Both Roth and Eathan Thompson recorded sacks, while Heffernan and Erik Cowell grabbed interceptions.
"C-Z-R was young," Belton said. "I think they had three freshmen who were starting. When you're that young, you're going to take some lumps and they'll get better."
Up next for Chester is an Edwards County team that beat Johnston City, 27-7, on Friday to improve to 3-5 overall. The Lions are already out of playoff contention and have the chance to play spoiler next week.
"I really want our team to play very well for our seniors," Belton said. "I would like our seniors to play at least another game (after Edwards County). Our team has to be 'if you want it, you better go get it'."
Kickoff at W.O. Smith Field is scheduled for 7 p.m.