What We Saw: Chapin Kickoff Classic

CHAPIN | Friday saw a “rechristening” of Cecil Woolbright Field with the Chapin Kickoff Classic.   The $8.5 million renovation project's completion was celebrated by school officials. It also offered the host school and seven other teams an opportunity to close out the preseason in four, 2-quarter scrimmages.   Gray Collegiate 35, American Leadership 0   The opening game pitted a team with championship experience against a fledgling program competing for the first time on the varsity level.   It turned into as lopsided a contest as expected in the War Eagles' favor. Last year's Class 2A All-State selections [player_tooltip player_id='232668' first='Tyler' last='Waller'] and running back [player_tooltip player_id='605529' first='BJ' last='Montgomery'] led Gray Collegiate to touchdowns on their first three series.   Montgomery had three rushes of over 30 yards to set up the opening score by Waller on a touchdown pass to [player_tooltip player_id='1158010' first='Zion' last='Job']. His 33-yard scamper on the next series was followed by a 32-yard run by Nate Dixon.   As for the Patriots, they were unable to muster a first down against Gray Collegiate's formidable defensive. Even without injured starter LJ Holley, the War Eagles' size, and physicality upfront with tackles [player_tooltip player_id='1359229' first='Trequan' last='Singleton'], team Defensive Player of the game Eathan Raysor and [player_tooltip player_id='1359251' first='Zeb' last='Taylor'] overwhelmed American Leadership's offensive line.   Taylor had a fumble recovery to set up Montgomery's first touchdown to make it 21-0.   When a running back or wide receiver even managed to find daylight, linebacker Da'Von Toney made punishing hits to quickly negate any positive yards.   Backup quarterback MJ Hornsby closed out the second quarter for Gray Collegiate. He completed 3-4 passes on his first series to set up a 5-yard touchdown run by Zay Orr.   Montgomery finished his 100-plus yard performance with a 30-yard run to earn Offensive MVP honors for the War Eagles.   “We've still got a couple of kinds to work out,” Gray Collegiate head coach De'Angelo Mack said. “For us to think we came out here and think we did everything perfectly is not realistic. I'm sure we'll turn on film, find a couple of little things we didn't do right. Maybe it's somewhere we didn't line up or got to get the tempo up, something we've been trying to get our guys to do much more of.   “Anytime that you come out, there's always room for improvement.”   American Leadership head coach Robin Bacon cited inactivity and injuries for his team's struggles going against a “good” and “experienced” Gray Collegiate team. He still has confidence in team leadership like Ian and Phoenix Briggs, Harrison Williams, and Abe Hoffman, who won team Offensive Player of the Game honors.   Midland Valley 19, Spring Valley 0   Replacing the head coach and the Palmetto State's second 3,000-yard single-season rusher seem low on a list of concerns for the Mustangs.   It helps that the players have a comfort level with newly promoted head coach Brent Dorn, who served as the team's offensive coordinator.   The team also returned senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='272712' first='Preston' last='McNair'], the team's second leading rusher behind Traevon Dunbar. Against the Vikings, he added two rushing touchdowns to earn his team's Offensive Player of the Game.   “Obviously, (Traevon's) a big-time player and all that, but [player_tooltip player_id='272712' first='Preston' last='McNair'] is going to be a stud himself.”   Returning four seniors and two juniors from last year's 12-1 team with McNair should also keep the Mustangs' running game galloping along.     “We're getting where we want to be,” Dorn said. “We're cleaning up mistakes from our first scrimmage. Still have a couple of things to fix, but we're definitely headed in the right direction.”     A bigger question Dorn looked to address was at quarterback. The Mustangs played all three potential starters – Senior Preston Butler, sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='644030' first='Xavier' last='Geter'] and freshman Jack Coleman – all oversaw scoring drives against the Vikings.   Geter accounted for the lone score not by McNair on a 4-yard keeper in the first quarter. Dorn acknowledged the starting position is still “open” going into the Week 0 opener against JL Mann. He expects the trio to continue competing at a high level to avoid any complacency.   Spring Valley is also suiting up a new starting quarterback. Junior [player_tooltip player_id='477819' first='Dylan' last='Redden'] and the offense had his share of challenges with the Vikings missing starters on the offensive line.   Midland Valley's Defensive Player of the Game defensive back Kaiden Davis made it difficult in the secondary for passing plays. The Mustangs also held their own upfront with senior nose guard Tyrese Cunningham and Sam Teidman closing up the running lanes.   Led by team Defensive Player of the Game linebacker Sawyer Sheffield, The Vikings had some moments defensively in creating long yardage situations for Midland Valley. It proved futile they were unable to make those stops on third and long.      “We're going to be fine,' head coach Nygel Pearson said. “We've got some confidence issues that as coaches we've got to get our guys over that hump and then we'll be fine going into next week.”   Clinton 18, Blythewood 7   Aside from three unsuccessful PATs and a late interception to set up the Bengals' lone score, the Red Devils performed like the team high school writers selected as the preseason second-ranked team in Class 3A.   The duo of quarterback Tushawun Richardson and running back DJ Clark were arguably the two most dynamic offensive players on the field in this matchup. They teamed up for the game's first score on a long pass play.   “Tushawun's one of those guys who's an underrated quarterback in the state,” Clinton head coach Corey Fountain said. “He's able to extend plays, make things happen with his feet. Uses a clear head, gets the ball down the field. I thought he did a great job.   “DJ Clark did a great job. He was patient on his runs, found the holes where he needed to and also did a good job blocking.”   After team Defensive Player of the Game Maison Tinsley had one of two Clinton interceptions, they helped set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Jacen Cook. KJ Vance accounted for the Red Devils' final score with a scoring run with six minutes left in the scrimmage.   “Our guys watched the film,” Fountain said. “Our coaches watched the film. We tried to make improvements throughout the week in practice. I liked the way our guys came out and got after it on offense. On the defensive side of the ball, I really liked the way our guys attacked the ball on defense. A lot of improvements from Monday's scrimmage to tonight and the goal is to get better each week.”   Blythewood's next possession ended with an interception by [player_tooltip player_id='1592507' first='Luke' last='Young']. The Bengals' [player_tooltip player_id='1656629' first='Tyler' last='Davis'] picked off a Clinton pass which set up a 4-yard touchdown run on fourth down by Mel Little with 1:19 left.   Jordan Greaves replaced starter John Henry Collins on the scoring drive and was named the team's Offensive Player of the Game.  Linebacker Silas Holmes was named the Bengals' Defensive Player of the Game.   Afterwards, Blythewood head coach James Martin praised his team's response to Clinton's wing-T spread offense and finishing the scrimmage on a strong note.   Chapin 10, Ridge View 10   What initially looked like a comfortable win for the Blazers turned into a dramatic finish orchestrated by the host team.   “All I ever do is ask our kids to give us a chance,” Chapin head coach Ryan Cole said. “Go out there and compete, be relentless, great effort, give us a chance and they did tonight. That's a good football team. They'll go far and they'll be hugely successful.   Misfortune came early for the Eagles early in the game. Senior linebacker Adam Pollack fell on his right collarbone and was helped off the field to receive medical attention.   Pollack returned to the sidelines wearing a sling on his right shoulder.   On the field, Ridge View quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='840548' first='Tre' last='Howard'] found success with his running backs and All-State wide receiver [player_tooltip player_id='233146' first='Jordon' last='Gidron']. He put the Blazers ahead with a 4-yard run.   After Cayden Harris intercepted Chapin's [player_tooltip player_id='272715' first='Brady' last='Albro'], Howard drove Ridge View downfield again to set up a field goal.   The Blazers looked to put the game away in the second quarter. They had a first and goal but were stopped at the 5-yard-line on fourth down.   Aided by a long completion by Albro to [player_tooltip player_id='568697' first='Stone' last='Furrey'] and two personal foul penalties, the Eagles managed to drive 95 yards for a score. Albro found Cooper Canady for a 4-yard touchdown pass to make it 10-7 with 7:25 left.   Canady was named the Eagles' Offensive Player of the Game.   Chapin got the ball back, but Ridge View's Quency Grant picked off Albro. On the next series, linebacker Harrison Ambrose sacked Howard and dislodged the football.   Senior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1360369' first='Gavin' last='Stam'] recovered the fumble near midfield and appeared headed for a touchdown. Instead, a hustling Bradley Wilson chased down Stam and force him out of bounds at the Ridge View 5.   Chapin settled for the game-tying field goal with 2:27 left. The Blazers got within field goal range but missed with six seconds left in the scrimmage.   “Obviously, we're going to be able to compete with any team in 4 and 5A,” Ridge View head coach Derek Howard said. “We want to be able to see how we do against the elite teams, and we have them on our schedule (Ridge View plays host to Northwestern Aug. 30 and Dutch Fork Sept. 6). So, we just want to continue to progress and get better week in and week out and see what type of football team we have in Week 11 when we get into the playoffs.”

CHAPIN | Friday saw a “rechristening” of Cecil Woolbright Field with the Chapin Kickoff Classic.