By Thomas Grant Jr.
For the first time in three years, Chapin football have advanced to the second round of the S.C. High School League playoffs.
The Eagles edged Goose Creek 17-16 last Friday at Cecil Woolbright Field. In winning the program’s first home playoff game since 2017, Chapin (6-5) held off a late rally by the Gators which literally came down to the final second.
With four seconds left and in Chapin territory, Goose Creek quarterback Kymani Clary found Jaylin Grant at the 3-yard line. Out of timeouts and having had a field goal blocked minutes earlier, the Gators rushed out the kicking unit.
As Goose Creek looked to fake the attempt which went incomplete, the penalty was called and the clock reached zero seconds. After a meeting, the officials ruled the game over and the Eagle players began their celebration.
“The defense, I kind of tried to rally the guys and I told them that this is what our season relies on,” Chapin linebacker Tanner Short said. “And we just fought and put our heart on the line there at the very end.”
Short gave Chapin a 7-0 lead in the first quarter on a 2-yard touchdown run. It was set up by a 62-yard scamper by Anthony Turnbow who got to play lead running back when starter Cole Martin became unavailable.
A field goal by Will Robinson and 37-yard touchdown pass by quarterback Brady Albro to Khalen Bostick gave Chapina 17-0 halftime lead.
The second half saw a questionable call of incomplete on a touchdown catch by Stone Furrey on fourth down in the endzone denied a score for the Eagles. Goose Creek began its comeback with a scoring drive following the incomplete call to get within 17-7.
A 23-yard touchdown pass by Clary to Teru Davis to open the fourth quarter made it 17-13. The PAT was blocked by the Eagles.
On Chapin’s next possession, Albro was intercepted by TJ Clary 56 yards to the 20-yard line. The Gators settled on a field goal by Zander Tingin to close out the scoring.
“They did a really good job,” first-year head coach Ryan Cole said. “They made really good adjustments. Defensively, they shut us down a little bit. Having Cole (Martin) not out there hurt us a little bit, but Anthony Turnbow stepped up. We turned the ball over a couple of times. We’ve got to take care of the football.”
Chapin had three turnovers, two fumbles, in the second half. The Eagles will need to perform better for its second-round rematch at Lexington/Richland District Five rival Irmo (9-1).
Shrine Bowl quarterback Aaron Brand accounted for eight touchdowns – five passing, two rushing and one receiving.
“We’ve got to play better defense, that’s for sure,” Cole said. “Offensively, we left some points on the board there, on the field. Our coaches do a great job. I’m just excited to play them. They’re a good team.”
“Obviously keep (Aaron) Brand in the pocket,” Short said. “I think that’s our big factor and try to box (Donovan) Murph as good as we can. I think we’ve got a good game plan coming into it. The coaches are great. The coaches…I believe in them.”
“We’re going to do better than we did last time,” Turnbow said.
Photos by Thomas Grant Jr.
