2026 Preview: Chapman Panthers

In honor of the five-site Prep RedZone Media Days series this June and July, we're giving everyone a 50% offer code on all subscriptions throughout July 31. Get access to more than 100 team previews and everything else we have in store for readers as we gear up for the 2026 football season. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/subscribe">Simply head to our subscription page</a>and use the code "przscmediaday2026" at checkout to take advantage of the savings.   The good thing about young football players is that they grow into their roles.   It's certainly something Chapman coach Harry Cabaniss is excited about. At PRZ Media Day at Fountain Inn High School, he said it's been a lot of fun watching young guys grown and mature into leaders for the Panthers.   “A lot of familiar faces are back this year on both sides of the ball, which is good,” Cabaniss said. “We've been young the past two years, so a lot of those guys have been playing, but now it's going to be a little bit different because they're not just there to help, now they're out there to be one of the dudes leading the program. It's been really cool seeing that transition. That's the best thing about it. We don't have a ton of numbers, but the numbers we do have out there are all our guys who have been out there for us, which is cool.”   Another cool thing is that the Panthers have a ton of their production back. [player_tooltip player_id='1822131' first='Keilon' last='Tucker'] will do a bunch of good things offensively for Chapman, and the state champion hurdler is looking forward to using his explosiveness to his advantage.   "I think my jumping ability and the ability to get out of the blocks kind of helps to set me apart," he said. "I feel like wherever the ball is thrown, I can go get it."   [player_tooltip player_id='2167554' first='Ashton' last='Moore'] will be the guy throwing it. He started down the street for the Panthers last season, and a little bit of continuity at the QB position will be welcome for Chapman, which had years of it in the recent past.   "From about 2015 on, people in Inman didn't have to worry about who their quarterback was going to be," Cabaniss said of the position during Chapman's multi-title run. "Everybody knew. The last two years we've been trying to figure it out. Hopefully, Ashton will be the guy for the next three years, and it's good to have him."   He'll have plenty of weapons around him. [player_tooltip player_id='1822968' first='Khameron' last='Von'] has lined up in several different spots for the Panthers, and seems to be settling in at RB. [player_tooltip player_id='1819569' first='Taylor' last='Rogers'] will return from a jamboree injury that cost him all of last season, and could be the Panthers' top target. [player_tooltip player_id='1822132' first='Eric' last='Gaffney'] will move over from defense and immediately provide an offensive spark, as Cabaniss calls him "one of the fastest players in 3A". [player_tooltip player_id='1822135' first='Caden' last='Lachica'] is a solid contributor on both sides of the ball for the Panthers. And up front, a veteran group is coming together led by [player_tooltip player_id='1822139' first='David' last='Eaker'].   "He pretty much runs the line for us," Cabaniss said. "He's just a junior, but he's played every position for us as a freshman and a sophomore. He makes the calls, and he's the one who gets that group together."   Eaker said he likes playing tackle best, but will line up anywhere he's needed. He enjoys the fact that Cabaniss has trust in him to take control.   "I'm glad that he trusts me and he thinks he can get it right," Eaker said.   STARS SET TO SHINE   [player_tooltip player_id='1819576' first='Eli' last='Herndon'] (pictured) DL, 2027 - Herndon has already spent some time as a standout on the DL for the Panthers, and he'll be expected to lead the way this season. He's got good size, and his long arms allow him to play with plenty of leverage off the edge and to shed blocks and get up the field in a hurry.   [player_tooltip player_id='1822131' first='Keilon' last='Tucker'] ATH, 2027 - Cabaniss said he can't see a reason Tucker ever comes off the field. That's high praise, but it's well-deserved. On a team where a number of guys will play both ways, Tucker's explosive ability and athleticism in space can be a game changer.   [player_tooltip player_id='1822134' first='Darrien' last='Burgess'] DB, 2028 - The Panthers have been good in the defensive secondary, and Burgess has been among the best. He won all-region honors as a freshman, then went out and repeated the selection as a sophomore. He's got the speed to stay in guys' hip pocket, lock-down coverage ability, and he's a violent tackler in run support.   [player_tooltip player_id='1819569' first='Taylor' last='Rogers'] WR, 2027 - Rogers' injury in a jamboree last season was a huge loss for the Panthers, and opponents are about to see why. He's got a chance to be Chapman's No. 1 guy, and that's in a very crowded group at the position. He's a guy who can go get it, and he's got the ability to make tough catches in traffic as well. His return is an instant offensive boost.   FILM REVIEW   [player_tooltip player_id='1822139' first='David' last='Eaker'] OL, 2028 - Eaker's approach to playing OL in his first two years at Chapman seems to have been "I'll just get good at everything". Rather than entrenching himself at one position or another, Eaker's played across the entire offensive line for Chapman. And a funny thing happens wherever he settles: that position tends to get better. Eaker is the leader of the line for Chapman, and it's easy to see why by the way he plays.    BIGGEST LOSSES   Khamari Turner DE - A long, explosive player off the edge who also contributed at TE/H, and who was a difference maker from his freshman year.   Jasiah Copeland RB - With a bunch of injuries and a lack of experience, the Panthers were somewhat in search of an offensive identity last season. Copeland provided just that, and was one of the brightest spots in a couple of the Panthers' best games.   UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL   Carter Merritt OL, 2029 - Merritt is a big guy who Cabaniss says definitely looks like he can be a standout. He'll have room to grow into position, and the Panthers have been very pleased with his progression so far.   [player_tooltip player_id='1822135' first='Caden' last='Lachica'] WR/DB, 2028 - Lachica has been a standout on both sides of the ball for Chapman, and that's expected to continue. He had an outstanding 7-on-7 season, and looks primed for a breakout year.    Moore came on at the end of last season and made an immediate impact, and now it's his show. Cabaniss calls him "just super smart and smooth" and said he will draw comparisons to some of the Panthers' recent greats at the position.   Like any QB who spends any time starting on varsity as a freshman, Moore's biggest strength is arguably in that experience. As the game slows down for him even further, he'll continue to grow.   The physical tools are there. Moore already presents a bit of a different look as a lefty, with a big arm and good touch.

In honor of the five-site Prep RedZone Media Days series this June and July, we're giving everyone a 50% offer code on all subscriptions throughout July 31. Get access to more than 100 team previews and everything else we have in store for readers as we gear up for the 2026 football season. Simply head to our subscription pageand use the code "przscmediaday2026" at checkout to take advantage of the savings.