Chester had a 34-12 third quarter lead on Dillon and then had to hang on in the end for a 34-28 win over Dillon in the Class 3A state championship.
Chester capped off a perfect season with its first state championship since 1963. But it almost ended in disaster. Late in the game, Chester fumbled a punt snap and the Wildcats drove down to the Chester 9-yard line.
But Chester defensive end Teddy Murphy sacked Dillon QB Jay Lester on fourth down, sealing the win for the Cyclones who also had two fourth-quarter interceptions when Dillon was trying to make its comeback.
Chester head coach Victor Floyd came to familiar territory for his first state championship. Floyd's first head coaching job was back in 1998 at C.A. Johnson High School.
"I mean, it's great," Floyd said.
"That one of the good things about coaching, there's some gratification at the end. Watching the senior class go from where we were, from 3-7 to now, it's just gratifying.
Chester senior Dorrian Bagley who caught a touchdown pass and also had some key tackles from his safety position leaves a legacy of being a part of the senior class that brought the title back to Chester.
"Man, it means the world to me, means the world to me," Bagley said clutching the 3A state championship trophy.
"I'm so happy to be here, my senior year. Best way to go out."