The Chapman Panthers (3-7) will host the Palmetto Mustangs (4-6) for a home playoff game on Friday, November 15, at 7:30 PM. The matchup is part of the 2024 South Carolina Football State Championships (SCHSL) – Class AAA Football tournament. The game will take place in Inman, SC.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: South Carolina High School Football
Who: Chapman vs Palmetto
When: Friday, November 15, 2024
Time: 7:30 PM
Bracket: 2024 South Carolina Football State Championships (SCHSL) – Class AAA Football
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Game preview: Chapman vs Palmetto

As the 2024-25 high school football season winds down, two teams from South Carolina, Palmetto and Chapman, find themselves with similar records and aspirations as they look ahead to their remaining games. Both teams have shown resilience despite struggling in certain aspects of their campaigns, and their season statistics provide an intriguing glimpse into their respective strengths and weaknesses.

Record Overview

• Palmetto: With a 4-6 overall record, Palmetto has faced some challenges this season, including a 2-3 record in their region. The team has struggled on the road, with a 2-3 away record to complement their mixed results at home. Scoring has been a bright spot for the team, averaging 21.6 points per game, but their defensive performance has left room for improvement, as they’ve allowed 235 points throughout the season.
• Chapman: The Chapman Panthers have posted a 3-7 overall record, with a 2-2 region mark. Like Palmetto, their road performances have been tough, recording just a 2-3 record in away games. Chapman has averaged 20.7 points per game but has given up 331 points, highlighting defensive struggles similar to Palmetto’s. Their season has also been impacted by close losses, and they will be hoping to improve their consistency in the final stretch.

Team Scoring Averages

• Palmetto: The team has demonstrated a balanced scoring spread throughout the game, averaging 5.1 points in the first quarter, ramping up to 6.9 in the second. The third quarter has been their weakest, with only 3.1 points, but they bounce back in the fourth with 7.2 points. In overtime, they’ve averaged 6.0 points, often keeping the game competitive.
• Chapman: Chapman’s scoring tends to peak in the third quarter (6.1 points), but they have faced struggles in the other three quarters, with their lowest output in the fourth quarter (4.1 points). Their overall game performance has been inconsistent, and they will need to find more scoring balance to close out games stronger.

Team Stat Comparison

• Palmetto:
  • Rushing Yards Per Game: 73.1
  • Passing Yards Per Game: 60.5
  • Receiving Yards Per Game: 59.0
  • Total Yards Per Game: 133.6
• Chapman:
  • Rushing Yards Per Game: 93.5 (team leader: Justin Dawins)
  • Passing Yards Per Game: 69.7 (team leader: Byrson Cothran)
  • Receiving Yards Per Game: 49.8 (team leader: Hank Tolleson)
  • Total Yards Per Game: 99.3

Both teams rely heavily on their ground game, but Palmetto has been more balanced between passing and rushing. Chapman’s running back Dawins leads the charge with impressive yards per game, which has helped the Panthers maintain a slightly higher total yardage average compared to Palmetto.

Key Players to Watch

• Palmetto:
  • Justin Dawins (Rushing Yards Per Game): With 93.5 yards per game, Dawins has been a workhorse for Palmetto, consistently providing the offense with much-needed momentum.
  • Byrson Cothran (Passing Yards Per Game): Cothran has been a steady presence at quarterback, contributing 69.7 passing yards per game.
  • Hank Tolleson (Receiving Yards Per Game): As the team’s top receiver, Tolleson’s 49.8 receiving yards per game have been crucial for the passing attack.
• Chapman:
  • Justin Dawins (Rushing Yards Per Game): Dawins is also a key figure in Chapman’s offense, averaging 93.5 rushing yards per game.
  • Byrson Cothran (Passing Yards Per Game): Cothran’s 69.7 yards per game lead the team in passing, making him a primary option in the air game.
  • Hank Tolleson (Receiving Yards Per Game): Tolleson leads Chapman with 49.8 receiving yards per game, contributing significantly to the Panthers’ aerial game.

Head-to-Head vs. Common Opponents

Both teams have faced some of the same opponents this season, but the results have been mixed. Palmetto went 0-3 against common opponents, including losses to Belton-Honea Path (37-14), St. Joseph’s Catholic (35-14), and Christ Church Episcopal (17-9). Chapman, on the other hand, posted a 1-2 record against the same teams, defeating St. Joseph’s Catholic 35-21 while falling to Belton-Honea Path (42-7) and Christ Church Episcopal (14-7).

Looking Ahead

The upcoming games for both Palmetto and Chapman will be crucial for improving their standings in the region and fine-tuning their offensive and defensive strategies. For Palmetto, a stronger defensive effort and more consistent offensive production could help them finish the season on a high note. For Chapman, improving their scoring consistency throughout the four quarters and tightening up their defense will be key to finding more victories in the final stretch.

As both teams wrap up their 2024-25 campaigns, fans can expect competitive football from these teams that are striving to finish the season strong despite their challenges.