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 Comments are closed.
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