2023 Preview: Chapin Eagles

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='771240' first='Hayden' last='Burriss']</strong> is not just motivated to help Chapin post a winning season&nbsp;in his final year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the Eagles' defensive lineman, another 3-8 season is unsatisfactory.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"I'd say we're very motivated and I'd say the seniors especially," Burriss said. "With last year the way it went, I think we're trying to make the program better and leave our legacy and have the mentality to work hard and win games."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>According to head coach Justin Gentry, the team spent the off-season doing a mental recheck. While injuries on defense to experienced players proved difficult to overcome, Gentry believes this year's team has more depth to overcome that adversity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>He's especially excited about the wide receiving corps. Gentry believes as many as six players will see action with senior <strong>Isaiah Green</strong> emerging as a lead threat and <strong>Jonathan Sheppard</strong>, <strong>Khalen Bostick</strong>, <strong>Weldon Gunter</strong>,<strong> Jacob Nerone</strong> and tight end <strong>Brice Jolley</strong> returning to provide additional weapons for quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272715' first='Brady' last='Albro']</strong> (pictured). </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“Brady is naturally a super smart young man,” Gentry said. “He's kind of in the mold of a (former Chapin quarterback Roger Pedroni). He studies the game and works hard at his craft and he's pretty good. So I think you'll see that highlighted and being exploited this year.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Said Albro: “We're a lot deeper at each position. So, I think everybody's been doing their job to get better to put in the work this season. So, I think we have a lot more confidence this season.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chapin will also have an improved running game with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592297' first='Cole' last='Martin']</strong> and <strong>John Rossi</strong> in the backfield. The offensive line will be a team strength once again with <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1395031' first='Caden' last='Muskus']</strong> and <strong>Mason Hetlinger</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Eagles will change their defensive approach this season. Safeties<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='771241' first='Russell' last='Gentry']</strong> (no relation to the head coach),<strong> Griffin Burns</strong> and defensive back <strong>Camden Ranieri</strong>, who competed at the state finals in the 100 and 200 meters, will help provide different looks in the secondary and<br><strong>Brogdon Ambrose</strong> is back at linebacker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STARS READY TO SHINE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272715' first='Brady' last='Albro']</strong> QB, 2025 - From the moment he became a starter, he's maintained an iron grip on the leadership mantle. He threw for 1,597 yards and 13 touchdowns last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='771240' first='Hayden' last='Burriss']</strong> DL, 2024 - One of the strongest players on the team, the senior has the size, length and toughness to thrive on both the offensive and defensive line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Griffin Burns</strong> DB, 2024 - The senior free safety does not back away from taller wide receivers and has deceptive speed.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Isaiah Green</strong> WR, 2024 - The senior has emerged as a leading wideout during the summer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FILM REVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='272715' first='Brady' last='Albro']</strong> QB, 2024 - Head coach Justin Gentry constantly boasts about the intelligence level of his junior quarterback. This becomes evident after watching Albro maneuver his way out of trouble to make accurate passes downfield. While not a running quarterback, he has the speed and strength to avoid tacklers. He's also not turnover-prone and can stretch the defense with his arm.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/15187465/636927f61600f600808220e8' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64cb09a190533"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BIGGEST LOSSES&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Adam Bass</strong> DB - Led the team with 61 tackles last season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Max Drag</strong> DE - One of the team's leading tacklers the past two seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Nolan Beerman </strong>LB -&nbsp;Led the team in rushing and played linebacker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>John Rossi</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592297' first='Cole' last='Martin']</strong> RBs, Classes of 2025 and 2026 - The duo are a welcomed addition to a pass-oriented offense.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1395031' first='Caden' last='Muskus']</strong> DL, 2026 - He broke&nbsp;into the starting lineup mid-season and is&nbsp; expected to develop into the next top offensive line prospect from the Eagles&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->