Last season was a rough one for the Chapin Eagles. 

The team went winless in 2025, going (0-10) and missing out on the postseason entirely. It was not a spot the Eagles are familiar with after going .500 or better in four of the previous five seasons. 

Chapin is going in a new direction this season, hoping to get back to their winning ways. Former head coach Ryan Cole resigned his position to step into an administrative role, and the Eagles turned to Pelion coach Cory Helms. 

Helms was at Pelion for one season and led the team to its most wins since 2013, going (5-5) before losing in round one of the 2A playoffs. The Chapin job is one he’s been eyeing for a while, and when it opened up, he quickly jumped at the opportunity. 

“The town itself kind of drew me there,” Helms said. “I moved there. As soon as I got done GAing at South Carolina, so it was kind of a place I wanted to be for a long time.”

He looks at Chapin and sees the potential for the program to become one of the best in South Carolina. Helms cites the school’s success in other sports, such as baseball and soccer, as proof of concept. 

“My vision for this place is to be the premier program in the state,” he said. “They're really good at every other sport, and there's no reason that football can't do the same in the future.”

Getting to that point won’t be easy.

Chapin plays in one of the toughest regions in the state, featuring teams that have made deep playoff runs recently in River Bluff and White Knoll. It also includes the top dog in South Carolina high school football, Dutch Fork. 

“Our region is about as tough as it gets, and as a competitor that’s what you want,” Helms said. 

While winning is always the goal, Helms said the team will not get caught up on the results this season. Even still, he expects full effort every outing. 

“The standard is to win. You can't base success necessarily on wins or losses all the time,” he said. “Our expectations are for the guys to do their best every Friday night, and if we do that, then we'll have a chance to be successful.” 

Players to watch 

Chapin has a mixed group of experienced and new players. Helms said one of the team’s biggest advantages this season will be their size on the lines. 

On offense, the line is a bit younger, led by mostly underclassmen. The two key players to watch this season are juniors Kempt Tisdale and Grady Meetze. Helms sees both of those guys playing college ball one day. 

Defensively, it starts with Clint Gentry. He can be plugged in all around the line and was an All-Region player last season. 

Gentry will play alongside guys like Garrett Graham and James Goss, who also give Chapin good size in the trenches. 

Linebacker Parker Collins highlights that group. He was Chapin’s other All-Region selection from this past season. 

In the secondary, Dutch Fork transfer Zauron Mack will lead the corners, and senior Charlie Todd will lead the safeties. 

At the offensive skill positions, Charlie Howell and Harper Ellerbee are the team’s top two running backs. Helms said they also both have a future in college ball. 

Tight end Dalton Gravelle is the centerpiece of the team’s offense. His abilities as a pass catcher and run blocker elevate his importance to the team. 

Receivers Ny'Shawn Palmore, Anderson Stutts, Riley Ashton and Beckham Diimmler will be the other top pass catchers. This is also Chapin’s senior-most group. 

Passing the ball to those guys will be returning quarterback Tyler Black. He got some experience last season, playing varsity ball as a sophomore. Helms is excited to see him progress as the season goes on. 

2026 schedule

Week 0 - at Lugoff-Elgin - Aug. 21

Week 1 - vs. Brookland-Cayce - Aug. 28

Week 2 - at Aiken - Sept. 4

Week 3 - vs. Airport - Sept. 11

Week 4 - vs. Spring Valley - Sept. 18

Week 5 - at Gilbert - Sept. 25

Week 6 - at River Bluff* - Oct. 2

Week 7 - vs. Dutch Fork* - Oct. 9

Week 8 - at White Knoll* - Oct. 16

Week 9 - vs. Lexington* - Oct. 23

Week 10 - BYE - Oct. 30

Note: (*) indicates a game against a region opponent