INMAN, S.C. – As the old saying goes, there are three parts to the game of football -- offense, defense, and special teams.
For the Chapman Panthers, one name has recently become synonymous with kicking and has left quite the footprint on the program. The Montalvo brothers – Carlos and Ricky – have had a collective impact on the Panthers’ kicking game in recent years. Carlos (a 2017 graduate) served as the starting punter, placekicker, and kickoff specialist. Fast forward to now, where Ricky has taken on all three of those roles. For Ricky, taking on those roles has been something he has had his sights set on for quite some time. “As a little kid,” Montalvo said. “I remember thinking to myself that was what I wanted to do. I got kicking from (Carlos) because I’ve looked up to him since I was little. It was awesome seeing him do what he did here.” Kickers coach Will Maley has coached both of them in their respective tenures at Chapman and sees some similarities in their respective abilities. “They are identical,” said Maley. “Both have very strong legs and are extremely accurate at what they do. They’re just naturally gifted and bring their ‘A’ game to the table. It’s been fun to watch it happen twice.” Not only do they share a kicking style, they also share a jersey number (#21). Each has also have made a go-ahead or game-winning field goal with a championship on the line. Trailing by two points in the 2016 AAA state championship game at Williams-Brice Stadium, Carlos Montalvo hit a 43 yard field goal to put Chapman ahead 29-27 with 9:30 left in the fourth quarter. That kick proved to be the final points of the contest and gave Chapman its first football state championship. Now, fast forward to last Friday evening (October 22nd), where Ricky had an opportunity to earn one of his own in a road game against Union County. Just before halftime, Montalvo attempted a field goal that ever-so-slightly missed, but fittingly, the game would rest on the right foot of the senior. “When he came off the field (after that field goal attempt),” Cabaniss explained. “He had this look of, ‘I can’t believe I missed that.’ I told him, ‘I’ve got a feeling that we’re going to come back to you at some point in this game and we’re going to need you.’ And sure enough, we did.” On the final play of overtime, he drilled a 17 yard field goal to give the Panthers a 38-35 win over Union County, which clinched the Region III-3A championship for the Panthers. “When we went to overtime,” Ricky recalled. “I knew that it was going to come down to me. I was trying not to think too much about the last kick. I wanted to stay locked in and focused because I knew I could make the game winner.” “That was great to see him make that one,” Maley exclaimed. “I was sad that he missed the 49 yarder, but we know that he has ice in his veins when it comes time. The kick in overtime was strong and he was so excited about it.” As the season continues to progress, Montalvo has a chance to do something that his older brother hasn’t – win a second state championship. Chapman (6-2, 4-0 Region III-3A) will finish the regular season with a home game against the Broome Centurions on Friday, October 29th. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 PM. Prior to the game, all of the Fall sports seniors will be recognized. -Justin Mathis INMAN, S.C. – It was a big third round volleyball showdown on Thursday evening as the Region III-3A champion Chapman Panthers hosted the three-time, reigning state champion Powdersville Patriots.
On this night, it was the Patriots that capitalized on opportunities and advanced to the Upper State championship with a 3-0 victory (25-23, 25-16, 25-23), dealing Chapman their first loss at home this season. In the opening frame, neither club could establish much of an advantage. As a result, there wasn’t a lead larger than two points on either side through the midway point of the set. Sparked by a trio of kills – two from Caroline Garner and one from KJ Jackson – Chapman took a 20-15 lead over the visiting Patriots. But then, Powdersville pieced together a rally and used an astounding 10-2 run to win the set 25-23. “I really felt like we had an opportunity tonight,” said Chapman head coach Shane LeCroy. “We had a good game plan, but give credit to Powdersville. They’re a good team and they have been there a number of times.” “Our defense was out of position (during the run). Their number 13 (Megan Carpenter) was hurting us on the right side. We made an adjustment… I felt we slowed her down at that point, but just not enough. We made a few too many errors down the stretch.” Powdersville later took a 2-0 advantage into the third set, but the Panthers continued to battle. Chapman surged ahead 18-14, aided by a 4-0 service run from Hannah LeCroy that included one kill apiece from Garner and Jackson, along with a block by Alexa Davis and Rylee Simpson. During the flurry, a red card was issued to the Powdersville bench, awarding a point to the Panthers. Trailing 20-18, Powdersville outscored Chapman seven to five in the closing moments to win the set and sweep the match, advancing to the 3A Upper State championship match. Chapman finishes the 2021 campaign with a 14-9 overall mark and a Region III-3A championship. With the season's conclusion, they will see four seniors graduate – Rylan Snead, Lexi Krivicich, Asheton Holden, & Gabrielle Borum. Despite the loss, the Panthers have reason to be excited about what’s to come in the near future. “We’ve had some really great seniors,” LeCroy stated. “I told them (postgame) that they should be proud because we’re changing the culture here. They came to work every day, being selfless. Whatever the team or scheme needed out of them is what they did. I’m so thankful for them and what they’ve done for this program.” -Justin Mathis INMAN, S.C. – Over the past few years on the gridiron, one thing has become apparent: the Chapman offense has become very familiar with the end zone and lighting up scoreboards.
The 2021 season has been no different as it has seen some eye-popping numbers posted along with program records being broken. Senior receiver DJ Black recently set the new benchmark for individual receiving yards in a single game by compiling 270 yards in a region win over Woodruff on October 1st. It was a record held by current San Francisco 49er Deebo Samuel, who held that record for nearly nine years after reeling in 266 yards in a win over Woodruff on October 12th, 2012. Last week, Samuel visited Chapman HS and congratulated Black, presenting him with a signed, game-worn jersey that read, “Congrats on breaking the record! Continue to be great! (I’ve) been watching you for a while. Congrats on all your success! Bright future!” Two more records were eclipsed in a region victory over Clinton on October 15th. Drew Settle threw for 283 yards and three scores, which allowed him to take over the top spot for the most passing yards in a regular season -- which was previously set by Colton Bailey in 2016, who accumulated 2,419 yards in 10 games as a junior. “It means a lot,” Settle said. “There have been a lot of great quarterbacks to come through here, especially Colton. It’s a huge honor to just be up there with him, knowing what he did at Chapman. I appreciate the honor and I can’t wait to do more work (on the field).” DJ Black broke another record that has been held by Deebo Samuel, this time for the most receiving yards in a regular season, with the previous record by Samuel being 1,246 yards in 2012. “Aww, man,” Black said humbly with a slight grin. “That was amazing. This means a lot to me, knowing that I’ve broken two of (Deebo’s) records. I couldn’t do it without the help of my offense and quarterback.” Settle and Black have accomplished their respective feats in just seven games. So far, Settle has tallied 2,528 yards and 30 touchdown passes, while Black has notched 1,249 yards and 17 touchdown catches. With the talk and attention that comes with breaking records and the success that Chapman has experienced on offense, nothing has affected the concentration of either player or the team as a whole. “These guys aren’t focused on records,” said head coach Harry Cabaniss. “When DJ broke Deebo’s single game (receiving yards) record, we went back to his goal sheet and checked it off. He said, ‘Coach, let’s celebrate that later. We’re going to keep doing what we’re doing.’ We have our team goals and we’ll celebrate individual goals at the end of the year.” Despite being able to accomplish a pair of individual goals, the two senior standouts were quick to direct the credit to those around them. “I think the chemistry (as a unit) is huge,” Settle added. “We all know each other and work together really well. We’re able to pick each other’s brains about things in practice and get better because of that.” “I think it starts with (Drew),” Black pointed out. “The way he leads this offense definitely plays a big role. We have a great offense that can do just about anything.” On Friday night, Chapman traveled up Highway 176 to face Union County in Region III-3A action. It was a back and forth contest, but the Panthers rallied late to force overtime. Senior kicker Ricky Montalvo drilled an 18 yard game-winning field goal on the last play of the frame, lifting the Panthers to a thrilling victory. With the win, Chapman clinched the region championship, marking the fifth conference crown in as many seasons for the program. This also secured home-field advantage throughout the 3A playoffs. “We praise those guys and they’ve done a really good job,” Cabaniss said. “I’m proud of them. They’ve earned every bit of it. I’m happy for them and I know the guys in our locker room are happy for them, too.” Chapman (6-2, 4-0 region) will conclude the regular season with a home tilt against the Broome Centurions on October 29th. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 PM. -Justin Mathis CLINTON –On a night when Chapman just kept making plays, D.J. Black made the biggest.
Facing a fourth-and-24 from the Clinton 35, Black wrestled Drew Settle’s pass away from a defender in the front corner of the end zone, giving the Panthers a 27-26 lead with 7:15 to play, and Chapman’s defense made the lead stand up, defeating the Red Devils to stay undefeated in Region III-3A play. "I love the way my quarterback trust me to throw me the ball and let me go make plays,” Black said. “There’s no doubt in my mind when that ball’s in the air. I won the fight for it on the way down, and I knew I was in.” Black said the Panthers had anticipated a tough game against Clinton. “We knew all week it was going to be a dogfight,” he said. “It feels amazing to come out and win and still be on top of the region.” Black’s heroics came in a performance that was more of the same for him. He caught seven balls for 132 yards and two touchdowns, bringing his TD total for the last three weeks to 11. He caught an 8-yard scoring toss on the Panthers’ opening possession, set up Rashawn Cunningham’s score with a 59-yard reception that got the Panthers inside Clinton’s 10-yard line, and adding 24 yards on the first two plays of the second half. While he was business as usual, Black got some help from one of the Panthers’ weapons who had been missing. Tim McClurkin returned against Emerald following a torn quad in the first week of the season. On Friday, though, he took a step closer to normal. McClurkin had seven catches for 70 yards, most of them in clutch situations. He caught a 27-yarder to keep a drive alive in the second quarter, a catch that saw him adjust to the ball in the air, reach back across his body, and haul in the ball, giving the Panthers a crucial first down and setting up Derrick Miller’s 4-yard score. On the drive that gave the Panthers the lead for good, he converted a third-and-nine to move the ball to the Clinton 20. "It was my first game really back, and I just tried to make some plays for my team so we could get the win,” McClurkin said. “It’s just getting back in the swing. I think I could’ve done more, but as a team we all played pretty well.” As for playing a complementary role to Black, McClurkin said that’s what the team had envisioned. "That’s how it’s always supposed to have been,” he said. “I just went out for a little bit. He held it down. I’m proud of him. I love him to death.” They needed every bit of offense. Jykorie Gary and Justin Copeland scored first-half touchdowns for the Red Devils, but Clinton looked like the third-ranked team in the state coming out of the break. They marched straight down the field and scored on a six play, 82-yard drive, every inch of it on the ground, capped by Jishun Copeland’s 38-yard score. Chapman managed just one possession in the third quarter, stalling out at the Clinton 32. When the Red Devils took over with 4:28 to play in the quarter, they used the rest of that and the first four seconds of the fourth as Bryson James’ 4-yard touchdown run capped a long drive and gave the hosts their only lead of the night at 26-21. Somehow, the Panthers found a way. Black hauled in his unlikely touchdown, Lance Holden pounced on a Clinton fumble on the first play of the Red Devils’ ensuing drive, and Miller picked up a pair of first downs to run the clock to 3:00. The Panthers didn’t score, but the defense held again, and Chapman came away with the win. “We talk about family all the time,” Chapman coach Harry Cabaniss said. “That’s about as family as it gets. We kept digging and digging and digging, and that goes a long way. I told them they’re going to go a long way in life if they keep fighting like that. That’s a great football team. Coach (Corey) Fountain has a great team and they do a really good job. I’m just so proud of our guys. I wouldn’t expect anything less.” -Jed Blackwell WOODRUFF, S.C. – Friday evening marked the start of the "second season" as the Chapman Panthers opened Region III-3A play with a road game against the Woodruff Wolverines.
On this night, it was DJ Black and the high-powered Chapman offense who commanded the spotlight, as the Panthers picked up a 54-35 victory over Woodruff. After falling behind 7-0 early, the Panthers quickly flew down the field as Drew Settle threw a frozen rope to Shawn Cunningham for a 32 yard reception and on the next play, found DJ Black for a 14 yard touchdown, tying the game at seven. On the next series, Chapman faced a fourth down at the Woodruff 28. Settle went up top to Black, who caught the pass at the seven yard line, eluded a trio of defenders, and tiptoed along the sideline to pay dirt, putting Chapman ahead 14-7. “Find DJ and get him the ball,” Chapman head coach Harry Cabaniss said with a grin. “It’s never a bad idea. Drew just kept finding him. Give it up to Coach (Jonathan) Rollins, Coach (Jonathan) Dailey, and our offensive staff who found some different ways to get him the ball. DJ is a great kid, too. Throughout the week, he’s a leader for us and it carries over on Friday nights.” Later in the second quarter, Chapman’s Josh Wellmon pounced on a Woodruff fumble at the Wolverines’ 32. Settle found Walt Waddell on a 31 yard pass, followed by a one yard Derrick Miller touchdown run - his first score of the season - which created a 21-7 Panther advantage. Chapman continued the flurry with a 50 yard touchdown pass from Settle to Black, a safety on a failed Woodruff punt, and an eight yard touchdown run by Black, which was set up by a Devin Roe interception return. To close out the first half, the Panther defense forced a turnover on downs deep in their own territory with less than 20 seconds left. That added up to a 37-14 Chapman lead at intermission. Woodruff pulled within two scores of Chapman, 47-35, with 6:14 to play, but the Panthers put the game away with a 13 yard Settle to Black touchdown pass with just under four minutes remaining. “That's a really good team over there,” Cabaniss stated. “We're excited that we came over here and got this win. It’s always good to come to Woodruff and get a win. The hardest step is the first step and we took that tonight.” It was a record-breaking night for Black, as he reeled in 12 passes for 270 yards to go with his five touchdown receptions and one rushing touchdown. His five scores through the air came on passes of 14, 28, 50, 51, and 13 yards, respectively. Black’s 270 yards broke the individual single-game receiving yards record that had been previously held by Deebo Samuel, who racked up 266 yards in a 49-48 win over Woodruff on October 12th, 2012. Samuel is now in his third season with the San Francisco 49ers. Black now owns three of the top-five single game receiving yard performances in program history. He tallied 259 yards in a road win over Broome on October 24th, 2020. He also compiled 253 yards earlier this year against Brookland-Cayce. The senior receiver notched a share of the individual single game receiving touchdown record (5), set by Richard Tucker in a 77-61 first round victory over Camden on November 18th, 2016. The Panthers finished the game with 601 total yards of offense as quarterback Drew Settle finished the game going 22 of 31 for 398 yards with five touchdowns through the air while running back Derrick Miller led the way on the ground with 167 yards on twenty-six carries with a touchdown. Chapman (3-2, 1-0 Region 3-3A) now turns their attention to a home region game next week against the Emerald Vikings. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM. -Justin Mathis (With special thanks to Britt Wilkerson for information used in story) |
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