By Thomas Grant Jr.
At 3-0, the Chapin football team is flying high under first-year head coach Ryan Cole.
The Eagles have averaged 50.3 points and held their three opponents to 24 points per game. They look to continue that success back at Cecil Woolbright Field with an all-Lake Murray matchup with Newberry.
“I am not surprised by the way we have started,” Cole said. “Our kids have worked really hard in the spring and summer. We have a talented group of young men. They know the most important thing is the team. I have always asked our players to work hard as a team and give us a chance in every game.”
In Friday’s 49-14 rout of Spring Valley, senior quarterback added to his school record totals for passing yards with 145 yards on three touchdowns before leaving the game for precautionary measures after favoring his ankle.
Up 27-0 at the time, the Eagles did not miss a beat. Backup Brady Smith threw for 101 yards and became the third Chapin player to throw a touchdown this season.
According to Maxpreps.com, Albro’s 11 total touchdowns (10 passing, 1 rushing) is tied with Porter-Gaud running back Jammall Fludd for the most in South Carolina. Albro’s 815 passing yards is ranked second in the state behind Hilton Head Christian Academy quarterback Reid McCallum.
Albro’s success has been aided by a bevy of offensive weapons. The wide receiving duo of senior Khalen Bostick and junior Stone Furrey have combined for 29 receptions for 480 yards and nine touchdowns.
The Gaffney transfer Furrey has contributed to all three phases of the game. This was demonstrated against the Eagles where he scored both as a receiver and punt returner and is utilized as a safety.
“Stone has done a great job so far this season,” Cole said. “He is a great teammate and young man. I think his example of both of those things has made the team stronger. His character and work ethic have been a great example for those teammates that need one.”
Running back Cole Martin has also played a dual role for the Eagles. He leads the team in rushing, is the third-leading receiver and even has a touchdown pass to his credit.
Having an experienced offensive line led by senior Nathan Gilley and returning starters Evan Creel, Caden Muskus and Mason Hetlinger limiting sacks and opening up the ground game have helped fulfill a wish for the offense, according to Cole.
“We wanted to emphasize running the football this year,” Cole said. “I have challenged our coaches and players to be more of a downhill running team. The offensive line and Cole have accepted that challenge. The run game helps give us a balanced attack. It has opened some things up in the passing game as well.”
Chapin is one of five undefeated teams in Region 4-5A. The region has a combined record of 16-1 through the first three weeks.
With the region opener against Dutch Fork still almost a month away, Cole knows work still needs to be done over the next two games.
“As a coaching staff we have emphasized taking care of the things we can control in our locker room,” Cole said. “If we take care of what we are capable of we feel we have a chance against anyone. We look forward to playing against the teams in our region. We still have really good Newberry and Summerville teams to play before we can think about region play.”
It starts with a Bulldogs’ team which suffered their first loss of the season in a 23-14 setback to Clinton. Newberry had a 14-12 lead in the third quarter. Quarterback Bryce Satterwhite rushed for a touchdown and wide receiver Caleb Levy returned an 85-yard kickoff for a touchdown.
Kenton Caldwell and B.J. Jones provide a threat out of the backfield for the Bulldogs.
The following week, Chapin heads to the Lowcountry for a Top 10 matchup with the Green Wave before the bye week.
S.C. PREP FOOTBALL MEDIA POLL
Class 5A
1. Dutch Fork (19) (2-0)
2. Gaffney (1) (2-0)
3. Northwestern (1)
4. Summerville (3-0)
5. Irmo (3-0)
6. Sumter (3-0)
7. JL Mann (2-1)
8. Hillcrest (3-0)
9. White Knoll (2-1)
10. Boiling Springs (3-0)
Others receiving votes: TL Hanna, Spartanburg, Fort Dorchester, Lexington, Chapin, River Bluff, Blythewood
Photo by Ed Martin
