By Jon Akre

605 Sports

CHESTER — Regan Schwartz spoiled the Chester Flyers’ homecoming game.

The 5-foot-10, 175-pound junior ran all over the Flyers defense as Estelline-Hendricks (2-1) pushed past Chester (0-2), 38-7, on Chester’s homecoming game.

Schwartz ended the win rushing 23 times for 263 yards and four rushing touchdowns for the Redhawks in the win.

“Our line did a great job tonight,” Schwartz said. “They kept up on their blocks. They had huge holes for me to run through and our defense, it was unstoppable all night. It just felt great that we were an immovable force.”

The Redhawks went into their Week 3 matchup with Chester with a little more motivation following last week’s loss to Class 9A No. 5 Howard, and it showed in the opening half scoring 32 unanswered points.

“We needed a win like that after last week,” said Estelline-Hendricks coach Tim Cass on the 58-8 loss to Howard last week. “We went into Howard feeling pretty confident after the Wolsey-Wessington game. They just kind of manhandled us and we feel like we’re better than that. If anything, last week was a learning experience for us and it’s just good to get back on track.”

The Redhawks first-half onslaught kicked off early in the first quarter after a Flyers turnover on downs to start the contest. Schwartz ran for 35 yards on EH’s first play of offense, before punching it in three plays later from three yards out.

“I told the line before the game that we’re going to go as they go,” Cass said on the quick start. “If they can go out there and dominate the line of scrimmage, then we’re going to be able to move the football and I think they did exactly that. We could get 3-4 yards a pop whenever we wanted to and then break a big one every now and then and that’s how we play.”

Estelline-Hendricks' Cooper Schaefer runs in a touchdown over Chester in the Redhawks' 38-7 win. (Jon Akre / 605 Sports)

The Redhawks forced an early turnover after senior linebacker Cooper Faehnrich jarred the ball free from Mason Ahlers, setting up sophomore Cooper Schaefer’s 16-yard touchdown for the second rushing score of the game.

The Redhawks ripped off two more Schwartz touchdowns before half to give EH a 32-0 halftime lead. Schwartz had well over 100 rushing yards in the first half thanks in part to the dominant play from the EH offensive line.

“It’s all because of the line,” Schwartz said. “They gave it their all and that’s all we ask. I contribute it all to the line. I see running backs that don’t contribute to their line but I had holes the size that a semi-truck could drive through.”

The second half was highlighted by Schwartz’s fourth rushing touchdown of the game, but this time his longest carry of the game. Stopping Chester at the goal line, the Redhawks gained a little room out of its own endzone before Schwartz found a crease on an 87-yard touchdown.

“It felt great until the adrenaline wore off,” Schwartz said of the long touchdown run. “I was sucking air, man.”

Estelline-Hendricks' Regan Schwartz celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the Redhawks' 38-7 win over Chester on Sept. 5, 2025, in Chester. (Jon Akre / 605 Sports)

The Flyers, continuing to churn out long drives throughout the game, finally found paydirt in the fourth quarter with the help of a 13-yard scramble by quarterback Jaxton Opdahl.

“He’s a force to be reckoned with,” Schwartz said of Opdahl. Our middle linebackers kept him in check. Our outside linebackers kept him inside for the middle linebackers and lineman to keep contain and our lineman put great pressure on the pass rush.”

The 6-foot, 210-pound quarterback was the focal point in the Redhawks defensive gameplan, and was able to keep him and the Flyers offense in check for nearly four quarters.

“He’s super athletic,” Cass said. “He runs fast and he’s strong. He’s tough to bring down and didn’t make it easy on us. They definitely were able to move the ball and had their fair share of plays.”

Cass says the team’s response to the early Howard loss will put them back on track for a successful season, and it showed Friday night in Chester.

“I think they were embarrassed after last week and they just wanted to come out and make a statement and just get back on track cause we’re excited about the season ahead of us,” Cass said. “I think we can do some good things this year and we just want to get on track again and move forward.”

Estelline-Hendricks will host Waverly-South Shore next Friday at 7 p.m. in Estelline.