The Chapin Eagles football team is looking to turn the page on a challenging 2025 season, which saw them go winless with an 0-10 record and miss the postseason. The team will usher in a new era under head coach Cory Helms, with their first home game scheduled for August 28 against Brookland-Cayce.
Helms takes the helm after former head coach Ryan Cole transitioned to an administrative role. Helms previously coached at Pelion, where he led the team to a 5-5 record in one season, marking their most wins since 2013 before a first-round exit in the 2A playoffs. Helms expressed a long-standing interest in the Chapin position, having moved to the town after his graduate assistantship at the University of South Carolina.
Helms envisions the Chapin football program becoming one of the premier programs in South Carolina, citing the school’s success in other sports like baseball and soccer as evidence of its potential. He acknowledges the tough competition within their region, which includes strong teams such as River Bluff, White Knoll, and Dutch Fork, a dominant force in South Carolina high school football.
While winning is a goal, Helms emphasizes that the team will focus on effort rather than solely on results this season. He expects players to give their best every Friday night, believing that consistent effort will lead to success.
The Eagles will rely on a mix of experienced and new players, with Helms highlighting the team’s size on the offensive and defensive lines as a key advantage. On offense, the line features younger players, with juniors Kempt Tisdale and Grady Meetze identified as key players with potential for college careers. Defensively, Clint Gentry, an All-Region player last season, will anchor the line alongside Garrett Graham and James Goss. Linebacker Parker Collins, another All-Region selection, will lead that group. The secondary will be led by Dutch Fork transfer Zauron Mack at corner and senior Charlie Todd at safety.
In the offensive skill positions, Charlie Howell and Harper Ellerbee are the top running backs, both projected to play at the college level. Tight end Dalton Gravelle is considered a centerpiece of the offense due to his abilities as both a pass catcher and run blocker. The senior-most group of pass catchers includes receivers Ny’Shawn Palmore, Anderson Stutts, Riley Ashton, and Beckham Diimmler. Returning quarterback Tyler Black, who gained varsity experience as a sophomore last season, will lead the passing game.
The 2026 schedule for the Chapin Eagles includes:
- Week 0: at Lugoff-Elgin (August 21)
- Week 1: vs. Brookland-Cayce (August 28)
- Week 2: at Aiken (September 4)
- Week 3: vs. Airport (September 11)
- Week 4: vs. Spring Valley (September 18)
- Week 5: at Gilbert (September 25)
- Week 6: at River Bluff* (October 2)
- Week 7: vs. Dutch Fork* (October 9)
- Week 8: at White Knoll* (October 16)
- Week 9: vs. Lexington* (October 23)
- Week 10: BYE (October 30)
(*) indicates a game against a region opponent.
