What We Saw: Chapin 17, Goose Creek 16

CHAPIN | With Goose Creek driving downfield in the final minutes for the potential game-winning score, Chapin senior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1360035' first='Tanner' last='Short'] implored his teammates to hold their ground.   “The defense, I kind of tried to rally the guys and I told them that this is what our season relies on,” he said. “And we just fought and put our heart on the line there at the very end.”   Without any timeouts, the Gators managed to reach the Chapin four-yard line with four seconds left. They attempted a pass as time expired, but were called for a penalty to end the game.   Despite the second-half efforts of quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='402499' first='Kymani' last='Clary'] and an inspired defensive line, Goose Creek fell to Chapin 17-16 in the opening round of the Class 5A playoffs.   This was the Eagles' first playoff win since 2021 and first at home since 2017.     It was a tale of two halves in which Chapin controlled the first half. After a scoreless first quarter, running back [player_tooltip player_id='1255998' first='Anthony' last='Turnbow'] (pictured) was once again making plays for the Eagles as his 62-yard run set up a two-yard touchdown by Short.   “Anthony's a good athlete,” Chapin head coach Ryan Cole said. “We just had to kind of find a package for him that we could use on offense, along with defense. He's a good corner. He's a running back. He's a good receiver. He's a good returner. So we have to try to utilize him more in the entire program.”   “I take it honestly as a complement,” said Turnbow about the coaching staff giving him more opportunities with he football. “They know I can have the ball in my hands and do something with it and the last couple of games, I've been doing that and it's been fun.”   On the defensive side, Short and fellow linebackers [player_tooltip player_id='1811070' first='Parker' last='Collins'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1360369' first='Gavin' last='Stam'] kept the pressure on Clary. Collins collected a couple of sacks and the Eagles had initial success limiting the running game.   Defensive back Peyton Griffin also defended some potential deep passes to [player_tooltip player_id='402495' first='Jaylin' last='Grant'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1507618' first='Teru' last='Davis']. Meanwhile, Chapin added a field goal by Will Robinson and 37-yard touchdown pass quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='272715' first='Brady' last='Albro'] to Khalan Bostick to take a 17-0 halftime lead   The second half saw both teams exchange turnovers. While Goose Creek stripped Turnbow of the football at their own 21, Clary was intercepted for the first time this season on the very next play by Luke Becker.   Chapin appeared to add to its lead on a fourth down touchdown pass by Albro to [player_tooltip player_id='568697' first='Stone' last='Furrey']. While Furrey appeared to keep his body inbounds for the sliding catch past two Goose Creek defenders, it was ruled an incomplete pass.   This was a turning point as Clary lofted a 48-yard bomb to Davis. He then had a 10-yard run and got Chapin to get called for offside to extend the scoring drive which ended with a three-yard touchdown run by [player_tooltip player_id='473027' first='Meliq' last='McGowan'].   Senior Maya Gonzalez entered the game to kick the PAT.   With newfound momentum, Goose Creek's burly defensive line began to assert itself upfront against the Eagles. Andrew Joseph, JT Warren, Anthony Patterson, and Zion Freeman shut down Chapin's running game, which played the second half without starting running back [player_tooltip player_id='1592297' first='Cole' last='Martin'].   “They could go three and give us a program, they can go four and give us a problem,” Cole said. “Those guys are big guys and we knew that coming in. They controlled the line of scrimmage, gave us some fits. But we did some pretty good things.”   The fourth quarter started with Clary hitting an open Davis for a 23-yard touchdown. However, the Gators missed the PAT to keep the score at 17-13.   The Gators' defense had two interceptions on Chapin's next series. The former by Wisdom Johnson was called back for pass interference, while the latter by TJ Clary was returned 56 yards to the Chapin 20.   This led to a field goal by Zander Tingin to close out the scoring.   Goose Creek had two more opportunities in the final five minutes to take the lead. Tindin had a 21-yard attempt blocked and the Gators did not have a chance at a final play.   Chapin (6-5) now gets a second-round rematch with Lexington/Richland District Five rival Irmo. The Yellow Jackets won the first meeting 55-21 on Nov. 1.   “We're going to do better than we did last time,” Turnbow said.   “Obviously keep (Aaron) Brand in the pocket,” Short said. “I think that's our big factor and try to box (Donovan) Murph as good as we can. I think we've got a good game plan coming into it. The coaches are great. The coaches…I believe in them.”

CHAPIN | With Goose Creek driving downfield in the final minutes for the potential game-winning score, Chapin senior linebacker Tanner Short Tanner Short 5'10" | 195 lbs | LB Chapin | 2025 State SC implored his teammates to hold their ground.