INMAN, S.C. – Depending on what shade of blue was worn on Friday night, it was either stunned silence or utter jubilation.
In front of a near-capacity crowd at Panther Stadium, the Byrnes Rebels made the short trip up Highway 292 for the third meeting in as many years with the Chapman Panthers. After a slow start, the Panthers responded in the second half for a thrilling 17-14 victory over the Rebels. The victory is the third in program history for the Panthers over the Rebels and the first one since 1962. Byrnes finished a five-play drive with a 34 yard Andrew Stevens to Armoni Weaver touchdown pass, which made it a 7-0 Rebel lead just over a minute into the game. Tre Segarra added a 42 yard touchdown run, extending the Rebels’ lead to 14-0 with 1:40 to play in the opening frame. “We knew at halftime that we weren’t tired,” said Chapman head coach Harry Cabaniss. “We had so much left in the tank. I don’t know if it was practicing at night this week and saving them (from the heat). We fed them snacks and hydration three times a day this week. It’s just family – that’s all it is. It’s different when you’re playing for a family than a team.” The Panthers turned the opening drive of the second half into points as Jackson Visoury knocked through a 22 yard field goal less than two minutes into the third quarter, cutting the deficit to 14-3. Early in the final stanza, Chapman linebacker Reece Lynch forced a fumble that Khamari Turner recovered on the Panther 46 with 9:49 to play. On the ensuing Panther possession, Coleman Gray found Bennett Smith on a 14 yard pass for a first down that kept the drive alive. Mathai Scott ripped off a first down run for the Panthers. Following a defensive facemask penalty, Gray powered his way through a crowd for a nine yard touchdown and cut the score down to 14-10 with 7:58 remaining. “We knew that even though we weren’t as deep as them, we knew that we had more stamina than them,” Smith exclaimed. “We didn’t have as many rotators, but we kept pushing and made big plays. We missed a couple in the first half, but they started clicking in the second half. We stayed true to ourselves and got the job done.” On the next series, Chapman linebacker Dawson Walters jarred the ball loose from a ball carrier and Seth Bowling pounced on the pigskin at the Panther 43. Two plays later, Gray found Shawn Cunningham for a 22 yard completion up to the Byrnes 34 with six minutes to go. On second and goal from the two yard line, a two yard Keanu Na touchdown run gave Chapman its first lead, 17-14, with 3:31 left in regulation. After an exchange of punts, Byrnes took over at its own one yard line with 58 seconds to go. However, a Byrnes pass attempt deep downfield was intercepted by Cunningham with 34 seconds left, which sealed the win for the Panthers. “We were ready for this late game (situation),” Gray stated. “We practiced all week, mostly at seven o’clock and did not end until nine. We have kids – my brothers – that will fight. We didn’t care about losing yards or incomplete passes – we just had a ‘next play’ mentality. I would say that it was a good game that we proved a lot of things. We want to go 1-0 every week that we step on the field.” Next up for Chapman (2-0) is a road matchup on Friday, September 1st against the Boiling Springs Bulldogs. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 PM. WOODRUFF, S.C. – To open the 2023 campaign, the Chapman Panthers made the trip down Interstate 26 for a showdown with a familiar foe in the Woodruff Wolverines. In the end, the Panthers claimed a 57-34 road victory over the Wolverines, marking the seventh win for Chapman in the last eight matchups against Woodruff.
With a two-point lead in the fourth quarter, Chapman leaned on the ground game to create a two-score advantage. The Panthers put together a six-plus minute drive – keyed by the tandem of Keanu Na and Mathai Scott – and made their way downfield, capping it off by a Coleman Gray one yard touchdown run that made for a 43-34 lead with 4:01 to play. “Our coaches teach us to step up and when it’s time to, especially as seniors and captains of the team,” said Na. “We sometimes have to take on the workload and do what we have to do. It was our job to tote the rock tonight… it wouldn’t be possible without the offensive line. They do their jobs to the best of their abilities.” To open the contest, Chapman received the opening kickoff and used 11 plays to find the end zone as Gray scored from seven yards out. Following a Wolverine punt, Gray found Colton McPeters in stride on a 47 yard completion to the one yard line, where Scott punched it and staked the Panthers to a 14-0 lead. Woodruff went ahead 15-14 early in the second on two touchdowns and a two point conversion by Kory Scott. On the next Panther drive, a pair of receptions by Shawn Cunningham proved significant, as Gray notched another rushing touchdown, along with a two point conversion by Hudson Moss to put the Panthers back in front. Later in the frame after a Wolverine score, a five yard run to pay dirt by Scott broke a deadlock and created a 29-22 advantage for Chapman with 1:06 left in the half. “It feels great,” Scott stated. “The offensive line does great. Sometimes, they may start off slow, but we know that when we get rolling, they’re going to do what they need to do up front.” Near the end of the third quarter, Hank Tolleson recovered a fumble at the Wolverine 16 yard line. The Panthers cashed in three plays later with a one yard Na touchdown run for a 36-28 lead with under 30 seconds remaining in the quarter. “There’s a bunch of people that stepped up for us tonight,” exclaimed Chapman head coach Harry Cabaniss. “I’m so proud of the way we finished. We’re led by a really good group of 19 seniors, and 15 of them have played together since fourth grade. They’re not going to flinch or stop kicking it into high gear. That’s our mentality (as a team).” In the final stanza, a 45 yard interception return by Moss set up a five yard Na touchdown run, while Bennett Smith picked off a pass and returned it 65 yards for a score to provide the final margin. On the night, Gray completed 12 of 16 pass attempts for 206 yards, while notching 15 carries for 90 yards and three scores. Scott tallied 15 carries for 72 yards and two touchdowns, while Na also compiled 13 carries for 59 yards and a pair of scores. Cunningham also recorded nine receptions for 127 yards. Chapman (1-0) will open the home portion of its schedule on Friday, August 25th against the Byrnes Rebels. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 PM Panthers VolleyballThe Chapman volleyball team is looking to build on their success from last season and believe that they are ready to take the next step to be competing for region and state championships. The Panthers are led by head coach Shane LeCroy who enters his 27th season as a volleyball coach. After finishing in second place of the region and falling in the third round of the playoffs to Daniel, LeCroy says this group is ready to take the next step and it's up to their leaders to get them there. "We have a lot of really good players with a ton of experience returning," said LeCroy. "We are going to go as far as our leaders lead us this season. I have really enjoyed being in the gym with this group as there is a lot of good energy and focus. I believe this group is ready to take the next step as a program." Chapman returns six starters from last year's team that includes All-Region players senior setter Brooke Noe, senior outside hitter Hannah LeCroy, and junior middle back Alexa Steiert. They'll be joined by fellow starters in senior libero Riley Stefanacci, senior middle back Madison Elrod, and junior defensive specialist Rylan Ivey. Junior defensive specialist Audre Canada and sophomore outside hitter Rowan Raney along with newcomer Kara Twitty will look to join the six returning starters and all help contribute to a successful season for the Panthers this season. The Panthers will kickoff their regular season in a tri-match at Greer between Chapman, Christ Church, and Greer before hosting Woodruff on August 22nd for the first home matchup of the year. Panthers Girls GolfThe Chapman Panthers will see some new faces around the program this year and that includes in the person that is leading the program. The Panthers this season will be led by new head coach Andy Pitt, who takes over after serving as a golf coach at three different schools in the last 16 years. During that time he has won three region championships, had two runner-up finishes at the state tournaments, and been a five-time region coach of the year. He will look to utilize his experience over the last 16 years, including his time at Byrnes where he started the girls' golf program, as he takes over a team that finished in eighth place in the 3A state tournament last season. Chapman returns four of their top five players from last season led by All-Region players Savannah Burris and Samantha Ireland along with Maddie Strawbridge and Annabelle Blackwood. A group of other returners including Gracie Greenway, Corbyn Painter, and Alexis Rowland including many newcomers will look to compete for the spot left in the starting lineup from the graduation of Olivia Ireland. "I'm excited to get out to the course and work with these young ladies," said Pitt. "I feel we have the tools to build a strong program that can sustain success through the years. We will start working hard with our eyes on the future." According to Pitt, the Panthers will look to compete in a strong region this season in a region that included last year's state runner-up in Blue Ridge. "Blue Ridge is the standard in our region and the upper state right now," said Pitt. "It's our goal to close the gap and become a very competitive team moving forward." Chapman girl's golf will tee off the season on August 23rd against Blue Ridge at the Cherokee Valley Club before competing in the Lady Rebel Invitational at River Falls Plantation on August 29th. Panthers Cross CountryAfter a strong summer, the Chapman Panthers cross country team is looking to have build this year after a successful season last year. The Panthers come into this season after a second-place finish in the region meet and are led by head coach Rachael Edwards, who enters her eighth season as the leader of the program. She is confident in the ability of her team this season. "We lost a huge crew of ladies over the course of the past year," said Edwards. "This season is a building season, but I am confident these ladies could make something of themselves. We had a great summer of training, and I am looking forward to the Eye Opener." Chapman is returning two starters from last season in Jayla West and Abigail Parkkonen along with Isabella Woodard. They'll also expect a lot from junior Laini Gedenberg this season. The Panthers will begin their season on September 2nd in the Eye Opener Classic at the Milliken Research Center. Panthers Competition CheerleadingThe Chapman Panthers cheerleading squad will be returning a lot of familiar faces from last year and will look to repeat the same success from last year's team. The Panthers will be led by their third-year head coach Allie Linnerud, who expects big things from her team this year. "We are looking forward to this upcoming season," said Linnerud. "We have eight seniors and are hoping for another region championship." Chapman, last year's region champions, return 18 starters from last year including eight seniors. That group includes All-Region selection Mya Jackson, Anna-Kate Alexander, Bryce Lee, Caroline Burgess, Chloe Hudson, Courtney Robinson, Delaney Jackson, Izzy Sanchez, Jordan West, Karleigh Burnett, Makenna Carter, Natalie Green, Noelani-Keely Hoaea, Rachel Wingo, Ryleigh Lance, Savanna Bryum, Savannah Fife, and Shaylie Rogers. They also will look to a group of new faces to help get the Panthers another region championship that includes Addison Strange, Aniston Jackson, Ansley Clayton, Ariana Robertson, Claire Loftis, Jorja Babb, Juliette Bryant, McKenzie Snyder, Norah Barnett, Paisley McPeters, and Reba Haynes. Panthers Girls Tennis*All head coaches were sent emails asking about their teams, if you don't see a team included it's because we never received a reply
Season PreviewINMAN, S.C. – The 2022 season saw the Chapman Panthers post an 8-5 record that featured a seven-game win streak, the program’s sixth region championship in as many seasons, and a berth in the third round of the 3A playoffs.
As head coach Harry Cabaniss begins his fourth year at the helm, he can’t help but be excited about the veteran group that returns to the gridiron in 2023. “I think the biggest thing is that they know and have been around each other for a while,” Cabaniss said. “You’re looking at fifteen guys who have grown up and played together for a long time now. We have to cater to what they’re good at and they’ve been awesome at doing what (the coaching staff) has asked them to do.” Near the end of the non-region schedule in 2022, some adjustments were made by the coaches and one in particular helped the Panthers find their groove during the latter half of the season. “Around week four or five last year, we completely scrapped the way we practiced,” recalled Cabaniss. “We only lost one game from that point until the end of the season. I think that had a lot to do with (changing up practice). Our coaches are always going to put our kids in the best situation… we have to continue to evolve.” Chapman returns 15 starters that include seven all-region players (Harrison Bridges, Shawn Cunningham, Coleman Gray, Reece Lynch, Keanu Na, Mathai Scott, Jackson Visoury) and an all-state selection in Lynch. Bridges, Alex Cox, Lewis McAlister, and T.J. Pack will look to pave the way in the trenches for a Panther offense guided by senior quarterback Coleman Gray. “At previous places that I’ve been, I can only name one quarterback that I had for more than one year,” Cabaniss remarked. “We had Drew Settle for two years – you don’t get much better than him – and now have Coleman Gray coming back. What (Gray) does has completely evolved how we do things on offense. To have someone back there (at quarterback) that knows what’s going on and what we’re looking for, you can’t replace that.” Fourth-year starter Shawn Cunningham (11 TD receptions in 2022), Peyton Hodge, and Colton McPeters will line up at the wide receiver position, while Mathai Scott and Keanu Na will share the workload at the running back position. Reece Lynch will spearhead the Chapman defense alongside Bridges, Na, Scott, Cole Daugherty, Hudson Moss, and Dawson Walters. The Panthers will also have several newcomers on the varsity level that will see playing time, including Jaeden Moorman. On special teams, Jackson Visoury will reprise his role and handle the kicking responsibilities. “On the JV team last year, there were some guys down there that continued to get better every week,” stated Cabaniss. “There are some guys who will come in and contribute on day one for us… like Shamon Black, Max Carter, Hank Tolleson, Khamari Turner, and Nazar Ackbar. We’ve got Bennett Smith, who has moved in here from Dorman. We’re excited to see those guys on Friday nights this year.” Chapman will start its 2023 campaign with a road matchup against the Woodruff Wolverines on Friday, August 18th at 7:30 PM. |
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