What We Saw: Chester 58, Chapman 24

Jed Blackwell November 10, 2023 @ 11:43 PM

INMAN | Chester rolled into Chapman with a powerful ground game, a capable quarterback, and a stingy defense. All of those factors played a part for the Cyclones.   It was Chester's two-way standouts, though, who made the biggest difference, sparking the Cyclones to a 58-24 victory over the Panthers and into a third round trip to Daniel.   [player_tooltip player_id='771067' first='Antonio' last='Hopkins'], [player_tooltip player_id='771062' first='Reggie' last='Heath'], and [player_tooltip player_id='771035' first='Kyan' last='Kennedy'] came up with huge contributions on both sides of the ball for Chester, and helped the Cyclones run away in a game that wasn't as close as the score.   Kennedy returned from an injury, and caught four balls in the first half for 56 yards and a five-yard TD. He also played well defensively, helping anchor the front for the Cyclones.   "I told him all week he would have his biggest game of the year tonight," Chester coach Victory Floyd said. "I thought he played great tonight."   Heath had a phenomenal all-around game. He caught seven balls for 103 yards and a score, had one carry for an eight-yard touchdown, and picked off two passes, returning one for a 55-yard score.   Hopkins had a ridiculous night. He made double-digit tackles, living up to his Shrine Bowl defensive credentials, and was just as impressive on offense. He had five carries for 94 yards and two TDs, including a 46-yarder that included stiff-arming three separate Chapman defenders to the ground and running through a tackle at the goal line. He also caught a 22-yard TD on a fourth-down play to extend the Cyclones' lead.   "Just big time plays by seniors," Floyd said. "They were here two years ago when we beat (Chapman). They were sophomores. They've been here. That's just big time plays by both of them, and it's honestly what we expect of them."   BALANCED NIGHT   Chester had an outstanding night on the ground, as [player_tooltip player_id='997385' first='Elijah' last='Coleman'] rushed 29 times for 110 yards and a score, while the Cyclones had 300 as a team. [player_tooltip player_id='457973' first='Trooper' last='Floyd'] accounted for 74 yards and a touchdown on the ground. He was also sensational through the air. He hit his first six passes, was 11-for-12 in the first half, and finished 13-for-18 for 188 yards, including a near-perfect two-minute drill to close the first half.   TOUGH GOING   Chapman struggled offensively, particularly in the first half. The Panthers ran just 22 plays in the half, but still put up 10 points, including a 22-yard TD run from [player_tooltip player_id='998700' first='Coleman' last='Gray']. They ran just nine in the third quarter before finding some offensive success late in the fourth, as Gray tossed a 10-yard TD pass to [player_tooltip player_id='1142680' first='Rashawn' last='Cunningham'] and Mathai Scott threw a three-yard TD on a halfback pass to Colton McPeters.

INMAN | Chester rolled into Chapman with a powerful ground game, a capable quarterback, and a stingy defense. All of those factors played a part for the Cyclones.