By Thomas Grant Jr.
Year Two for Chapin football has an air of newness for second-year head coach Ryan Cole.
The combination of transfers and improved returning players will look to help Chapin improve on last year’s 6-6 record after a 4-0 start.
“Keeps you on your toes, for sure,” said Cole following Monday’s practice. “We’ve had some guys that have left us and we’ve had some guys that have come in. My biggest thing when I took the job was when I was going to coach everybody that’s in the building. That was going to be my focus.
“And if we had guys that leave, I wish them the best. We have guys that come in as part of a great program. So, it definitely keeps you on your toes, for sure.”
Graduation resulted in the departure of record-setting quarterback Brady Albro. The newly active transport portal in the S.C. High School League saw both running back Cole Martin and defensive back Stone Furrey leave for defending Class 5A Division I champion and region and District Five rival Dutch Fork.
At the same time, the Eagles have brought in three new players expected to have an impact. There’s Easley transfer quarterback Joe Stoker, one of three players looking to succeed Albro
“I feel like with my arm strength, we can throw the ball to all parts of the field,” he said. “If we can get some plays in where we get the right defense against us and get the right play, we can get some big plays.”
Also on offense is running back J.R. Kinard, who enjoyed a productive season at Northside Christian Academy. He and Luke Cromer will get the bulk of carries out of the backfield.
They will run behind a well-sized, experienced offensive line. Center Mason Hetlinger at 6-foot 2 and 275 pounds has recovered from labrum surgery and 6-foot 3, 240-pound senior tackle Caden Muskus is an Appalachian State commit.
Kemp Tisdale and Christopher Majchrzak are listed at guard and Jessup Boulware and Kaedyn Harris will share the tight end duties. Stoker said working together after practice has helped develop chemistry.
On the defensive side, linebacker Palmer Flake has arrived from archrival A.C. Flora. He’s already been named co-captain with linebacker Caleb Davis and defensive back Peyton Griffin.
Flake relishes the challenge of competing in a region that has produced two state finalists two years in a row.
“I’m looking for the best competition in South Carolina,” he said. “I love that type of stuff. I eat it up. So I’m going into it with the same mentality I always do. I’m going to run downhill. I’m going to hit you in the face and I’m going to make you feel it.”
CHAPIN 2025 SCHEDULE
(All Games at 7:30 p.m.)
AUG. 22 – CATAWBA RIDGE
AUG. 29 – at A.C. Flora
SEPT. 5 – SPRING VALLEY
SEPT. 12 – at Newberry
SEPT. 19 – SUMMERVILLE
OCT. 3 – at Dutch For
OCT. 10 – at Lexington
OCT. 17 – RIVER BLUFF
OCT. 24 – IRMO
OCT. 31 – at White Knoll
Photos by Thomas Grant Jr.
