Chapin’s football team is back in the win column for the first time since 2024. 

The Eagles defeated Brookland-Cayce 45-22 Friday night to give new head coach Cory Helms his first win at the school. The team dominated from start to finish, opening up a 35-0 lead in the first half.

Chapin’s previous most recent victory came against Goose Creek in round one of the 2024 playoffs. The Eagles went (0-10) in 2025, missing the playoffs altogether. 

Head coach Rylan Cole stepped down for an administrative position after the season, and the Eagles turned to Helms to lead them into a new era. 

After losing game one of the season to Lugoff-Elgin, the Eagles came into the matchup against the Bearcats with their feet on the gas. 

Chapin scored its first of many touchdowns less than four minutes into the game. Harper Ellerbee got the score on a 10-yard rush. The sophomore finished the game with 15 carries for 66 yards.

Charlie Howell got the next touchdown for the Eagles. His six-yard run was the first of two touchdowns he scored. Howell led all rushers in the game with 104 yards on 14 carries. 

The Eagles went up 21-0 in the first quarter as quarterback Tyler Black threw his first touchdown pass of the night to receiver Ny'Shawn Palmore. 

Palmore had an explosive game, catching five passes for 146 yards. Black and Palmore connected again for another score in the third quarter. 

Chapin scored two touchdowns in the second quarter, while the Bearcats struggled to get any movement going on offense. 

In five first-half drives, Brookland-Cayce never reached the red zone and had many costly miscues, from penalties to dropped passes. The team alleviated some of the struggle by protecting the ball, allowing zero turnovers. 

In the second half, rain quickly began, and the game slowed down. 

Brookland-Cayce finally got on the board, scoring the game’s next points midway through the third. Avery King got the score, running it in from four yards. The Bearcats then attempted and converted a two-point try. 

A miraculous comeback was not to be had though, as the Eagles put an exclamation on the game just before the quarter ended. Black hit Palmore again for their second touchdown, this time for 54 yards. 

In the fourth quarter, kicker Beckham Diimmler put Chapin up 45-8. He was perfect in the game, making his only field goal attempt and all six extra-point tries. 

From there, Chapin brought on the subs for the game's closing minutes. Brookland-Cayce put a few more points on the board, including a defensive scoop and score from Evan Simmons, but there was not enough time for it to affect the outcome. 

With the win, Chapin is now (1-1) this season. The Eagles will look to continue their winning ways this week on the road against Aiken. 

Brookland-Cayce is now (0-2) this season and will aim for its first win this week with a home game against South Aiken. 

Both games will kick off at 7:30 p.m.