Cardinal Gibbons football senior adds to family legacy, helps Crusaders to third round

Chet Yardley looked at the Cardinal Gibbons football locker room wall, which includes a chain link for each Crusaders win since the program’s 1992 rejuvenation. The absence of a single chain for the 1992 and 1993 campaigns — both teams on which Chet’s dad, Jeff, played — gives him pause.

Another kind of chain helps bind Chet Yardley’s faith, family, education, and football experiences — the one gifted to him by his parents., bearing a crucifix that he wears daily around his neck.

“It brings us all back to what really matters,” Chet Yardley said. “Catholic education forms people to live out the mission of Jesus Christ. That translates really well to the football field in leading guys and holding them accountable to the standard we have here.”

Cardinal Gibbons is 10-2 and will host Clayton in the third round of the NCHSAA 4A state playoffs Friday night. Chet Yardley, an all-conference wide receiver, has helped the Crusaders get there with big-time plays.

Leading the way

Yardley (40 receptions, 724 yards, 10 TDs) caught the game-winning touchdown in the Aug. 18 season opener against Jordan, and the Cap Six Conference championship clincher Oct. 27 against Leesville Road. He caught two touchdown passes (his ninth and 10th this season) in Cardinal Gibbons’ second-round win last Friday over Millbrook, which reversed last year’s playoff outcome.

“Chet sets the tone for Friday on Monday with his work ethic,” Cardinal Gibbons coach Steven Wright said. “Because of that, he’s got an innate confidence to go make a play when our team needs it. We as coaches have confidence in him.”

Yardley’s contributions include actions, and when necessary, words.

Crusaders sophomore quarterback Gannon Jones said Yardley embraced him like a senior by affirming his trust in him when Jones stepped into the starting role. Yardley reaffirmed his trust in Jones during the Leesville Road game.

“The drive before, I threw an interception,” Jones said. “Off the field, he told me, ‘It’s good. We’ve got it. We’re still in this game.’”

One drive later, Jones and Yardley connected for a 74-yard touchdown to lead for good.

Chet Yardley ‘takes you back’

Leading for good, Chet Yardley said, takes several forms. Among such things for the 6-foot-2 senior is finally having grown taller than his dad, who has his own perspective, too.

“When someone’s not looking, someone’s on their tippy toes,” Jeff Yardley said. “I think he’s got me by a little bit. When we measure up, there’s always a little gamesmanship going on both sides.”

This gamesmanship includes Jeff’s selectivity of how he competes with Chet — or not.

“He’s never beaten me in a race, because I’ve never raced him,” Jeff Yardley said.

Jeff never raced his own Dad, John, who began the family’s three-generation athletic legacy in the Detroit area. Jeff said the gift of speed was passed from his dad to his children, and skipped him and his brother Jason. That said, Jeff and Jason Yardley were each selected Cardinal Gibbons’ Male Athlete of the Year in 1994 and 1996, respectively.

“Chet’s mannerisms, the way he plays, the way he runs, it really takes you back,” said Dean Monroe, Cardinal Gibbons’ Assistant Head of School for Mission.

Monroe was Jeff Yardley’s football and basketball coach. Chet Yardley will join the Crusaders’ basketball team after this gridiron season. One of the 1992 football team’s helmets — that worn by Jeff Yardley — is displayed in Monroe’s office.

“Jeff always exhibited a real toughness and determination, which I do see carrying through into Chet,” Monroe said.

Building his own legacy

Annette Jay, Cardinal Gibbons’ registrar from 1978-2018, recalled Chet visiting her office when he was around age 10. Jay has attended Crusaders football games each season since 1992.

“He’s one that I won’t ever forget, even if his son had not played,” Jay said of Jeff Yardley. “Just to see Chet come all these years later and make his impact on the school is awesome, neat, and such a blessing. We’re still family.”

Jeff donned his varsity letterman’s jacket when he and wife Allie joined Chet on the field for the October 27 pregame Senior Night ceremony. Chet’s graduation next spring will mark the 30th anniversary of Jeff’s Cardinal Gibbons graduation.

“It was really a full circle moment,” Chet Yardley said of the ceremony. “I’m continuing the legacy of my dad, and also building my own.”