What We Saw: Chapin Kickoff Classic

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>CHAPIN | </strong>Friday's Chapin Kickoff Classic was scheduled to feature eight teams in four two-quarter scrimmages.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Incoming lightning storms cut the overall action by more than half, allowing only three full quarters of preseason action. The bad weather kept Cecil Woolbright Field fans from seeing newcomers quarterback<strong> Jay Stoker</strong> and linebacker <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1127889' first='Palmer' last='Flake']</strong> make their home debuts.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This also kept Mid-Carolina running back <strong>Montieth Brown </strong>from facing his school's longtime rival for the second straight year. Midland Valley running back<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1615063' first='Preston' last='Smith']</strong> and quarterback <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='644030' first='Xavier' last='Geter']</strong> were sidelined, as well, following the cancellation of its scrimmage with Anderson.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 26 minutes and 38 seconds of action still featured standout efforts. It came from familiar faces and those who look to emerge as impactful for the upcoming season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the two winning teams, Gray Collegiate and Irmo, it was an opportunity to prepare for Week 0. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Gray Collegiate 7, Clinton 0</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>After transferring to Gray Collegiate and starting slowly, receiver <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='205787' first='Hiszari' last='Gantt']</strong> began to blossom late in the 2024 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the War Eagles head into the regular season, the rising senior is firmly comfortable in his role. He accounted for the game's lone score, beating the Red Devil defender to catch in stride a 40-yard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='232668' first='Tyler' last='Waller']</strong> touchdown pass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gantt earned co-offensive player of the game honors with the second-longest reception of the scrimmage. Transfer running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1036777' first='Trevon' last='Williamson']</strong> slipped out of the backfield for an over-the-shoulder catch and run for 50 yards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The drive was cut short as senior safety <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1165512' first='Chris' last='Boyd']</strong> stopped Waller on fourth down. Clinton's secondary also ended the Eagles' opening drive early with an interception by co-defensive player of the game<strong> Jayden Glenn</strong>.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The game's biggest turnover came courtesy of the other defensive honoree. Sophomore <strong>RJ Oliver</strong> stepped in front of an <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='630150' first='Owen' last='Glenn']</strong> pass for the interception.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gray Collegiate capitalized off the turnover with the Gantt touchdown.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='630150' first='Owen' last='Glenn'] looks to replace quarterback <strong>Tushawan Richardson</strong>, whose dual threat talents led Clinton to the Class 2A title. Glenn is surrounded at the skill positions by speedy running backs <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1603990' first='Angelo' last='Cromer']</strong> and co-offensive player of the game <strong>Zy Butler</strong> and wide receivers <strong>AJ McGowan</strong> and <strong>Bryson Perrin</strong>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Irmo 14, Eastside 0</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite the graduations of All-State quarterback <strong>AJ Brand </strong>and wide receiver <strong>Donovan Murph</strong>, Irmo has plenty of gas left in the tank heading into 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Looking to pick up the mantle as team leaders on offense are junior running back <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='755890' first='Amire' last='White']</strong> and classmate <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1422528' first='Maleek' last='Miller']</strong> at receiver.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both took turns running behind two-way lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='756223' first='Nate' last='Carson']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1165106' first='Bryson' last='Moore']</strong> en route to long runs against the Eagles. White used sheer speed to outrun the Eastside defenders for a gain that set up a <strong>Britton Davis</strong> touchdown run. Davis is vying for the team's QB1 job.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Miller's 30-yard touchdown saw him display his leg dexterity and balance. After breaking into the open field, he juked past a defender and did a 360-degree spin while racing down the sideline for a touchdown.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prior to play stoppage at the 9:22 mark of the second quarter, transfer defensive lineman <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1172366' first='Tyrone' last='Jennings']</strong> made an appearance. He pressured Eastside quarterback <strong>Alex Compton </strong>into an incompletion.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->