The Eagles of Chapin High are back atop the “perch” of SC High School boys soccer.

After a 2-week stay at number 2, Chapin returned to the top spot in the SC High School Soccer Coaches Association Class 5A Top 10 rankings.

The Eagles (12-0, 5-0) replaced River Bluff, which dropped to 3rd after its 3-1 overtime loss to 4th ranked Lexington last week and fell 1-1 (5-4 on penalty kicks) to Dutch Fork this past Monday.

Given the level of competition in the region, Chapin boys head coach Bob Taylor is less focused on his team’s place in the standings.

“You can’t really be caught up in the polls in our region with Lexington and Dutch Fork and River Bluff, he said. “You’ve got a guy (Phil Savitz) that’s won 753 games down the road. You’ve got Lexington who’s probably 1 of the most talented teams in the state. Dutch Fork’s good again and here we are.

“We’ve got to take care of our business in region before we get caught up with that state. It’s exciting that people are recognizing us after the last couple of years. It’s exciting for us, of course. But, we know that there’s alot of work to be done within our region and our boys are working towards that.”

The familiar theme of high motivation after last year’s cancellation can be found with the Eagles. Co-captains seniors Owen Collins, who signed with Converse Collins on April 14 (see B2), Zach Abdulrahman and Griffin Sgorrano and junior Arlis Dawsey took ownership of Taylor’s message of asserting their leadership and along with contributors off the bench like Cole Tucker have managed to help keep the “rowing the boat together” at Chapin.

“From Day 1, they’ve risen to every challenge we’ve asked them to take on,” Taylor said. “We’ve had a few big wins during the season with AC Flora and that Lexington (won on penalty kicks) was fantastic. They’re playing at a level that they’ve worked for. They’re working hard and I’m really proud of the effort they’re putting out. It comes from the leadership that we have. Our captains and our seniors have really led this team.”

A win Friday would all but clinch a playoff berth for Chapin boys.

On the girls side, River Bluff holds a 1-game lead in the loss column over Lexington and White Knoll, who defeated the Lady Wildcats Friday.

In Class 3A, the Brookland-Cayce boys and Gilbert girls are undefeated in Region 5-3A. The 6th ranked Bearcats could have clinched the region with a home win Tuesday against Gilbert, while the 8th ranked Lady Indians have a lead over Swansea.

Gilbert began the 2nd half of region play at home Tuesday against Brookland-Cayce.

In Class 2A, both ranked Gray Collegiate teams clinched another undefeated Region 3-2A season.