When Justin Gentry announced his retirement from coaching football, Chapin had to conduct a coaching search for the first time in 14 years. The school settled on a familiar face and promoted Ryan Cole to be the team’s next leader.

Cole was a long-time assistant at Chapin and most recently served as the defensive coordinator. Cole has been on Chapin staff since 2001, except for two separate stops at Dutch Fork in the 2010s.

“I’ve been fortunate to follow some great coaches,” Cole said. “Coach Gentry was here for 14 years and really laid the foundation, has had some success, so it was easy just to kind of go from there. That work ethic was there. It was just kind of get it to meet the expectations that I wanted it to be at, and the kids have responded well.”

Chapin finished 6-5 last season but had a disappointing region season, going 1-3 against conference opponents. The team went one and done in the playoffs after losing to Stratford by one point, 28-27. The region will be even tougher this year with the addition of Irmo.

“If we can be successful in our region, I think it prepares us for anything that comes after the regular season,” Cole said. “A lot of people are like, ‘Oh, that’s too bad for you.’ And to me, I think it’s exciting. You’re really going to be able to gauge how you are across the state, just within your region. Some people don’t have that ability.”

This season, Cole wants his team to play relentlessly. He has a young but hungry team and thinks they can compete if they put in maximum effort.

“My big thing is holding the kids accountable and keeping the energy level,” Cole said. “Our North Star word is ‘relentless’ this year. Relentless pursuit of reps in the weight room, reps in practice, being a good human being. We’re just relentless in the pursuit of our goals.” 

Offense

The Chapin offense will revolve around senior quarterback Brady Albro, Cole said. Albro is fresh off an All-State selection in 2023 after throwing for over 3,000 yards and 24 touchdowns.

Running back Cole Martin is trying to come back from injury last year and emerge as the team’s lead back. He appeared in a pair of games last year and rushed for almost 50 yards. Cole said he thinks Martin can be a critical piece of the team.

Cole said he is pleased to have many skilled players out wide at receiver. Two guys who will command a lot of attention are seniors Khalen Bostic and Jonathan Shepard.

Stone Furrey is a transfer receiver from Gaffney. Cole said he expects him to make an impact in his first year at Chapin.

The heart and soul of Chapin’s offense will be its line. Nathan Gilley, Caden Muskus, Mason Hetlinger and incoming transfer John Kalogeropoulos will be crucial to the team’s overall success.

“It’s going to come down to the big boys in the trenches on offense,” Cole said. “Those guys are going to have to have to really impose their will and have that relentless effort on the line in order for us to be successful.”

Defense

Major contributors from last year’s defense are returning in 2024. An advantage of Cole’s hiring is he already formed relationships with many players on defense and expectations are already known.

“The transition with the kids was pretty seamless,” Cole said. “The defense knew my expectations. I think the offense was probably like, ‘Wow, we’re glad we’re not playing defense.’ But now they’re all like, ‘Okay, this is all the way it’s going to be.’”

In the secondary, Anthony Turnbow is back for his senior season after playing heavily on both sides of the ball last season. He recorded 356 total yards and four touchdowns on offense and had 44 tackles and an interception last year.

The team’s leading tackler from last season, Gavin Stam, is back as linebacker. Cole expects to see him have a big year and lead the defense in 2024.

Harrison Ambrose and Tanner Short will play alongside Stam at linebacker. As a whole, Cole is very excited about this group and believes they can play at a high level and be effective against opposing offensive lines.

“Again, I think the game revolves around the trenches on both sides of the ball,” Cole said.

Schedule

Week 1 - vs. A.C. Flora - Aug. 30

Week 2 - at Spring Valley - Sept. 6

Week 3 - vs. Newberry - Sept. 13

Week 4 - at Summerville - Sept. 20

Week 6 - vs. Dutch Fork - Oct. 4

Week 7 - vs. Lexington - Oct. 11

Week 8 - at River Bluff - Oct. 18

Week 9 - at Irmo - Oct. 25

Week 10 - vs. White Knoll - Nov. 1