Chapman University’s football team takes the field for a game last year. (Photo courtesy Larry Newman, For OC Sports Zone)
The Chapman University football team opened its preseason camp this week in preparation for the 2019 season. The Panthers first game is on Friday, Sep. 6 when they travel up to take on Pacific University in Forest Grove, Ore.
The Panthers home schedule is loaded with key games from start to finish. The home-opener is against 2018 Northwest Conference champion and preseason No. 11 Whitworth on Saturday, Sept. 21.
The Panthers fell 31-28 at Whitworth last year after scoring 21 points in the fourth quarter. The SCIAC home schedule features matchups between the last three conference champions. The Panthers (2017 SCIAC champs) host Redlands – champions of the SCIAC in 2016 – on Saturday, Oct. 12 and reigning SCIAC champions Claremont-Mudd-Scripps on Saturday, Nov. 9.
The Panthers head into camp with a battle for the starting quarterback position after back-to-back seasons of record- breaking senior quarterbacks. In 2017, SCIAC Offensive Player of the Year Ricky Bautista (Northwood High) led the Panthers to a SCIAC title.
All-SCIAC QB Ian Fieber transferred to Chapman for his senior season and led one of the best passing seasons in Chapman history. This season, it won’t be a senior under center with only sophomores and juniors listed at the position. Junior Jonston MacIntyre spent some time in the backfield of three games last season, completing 14-of-19 passes for 171 yards and three touchdowns, and is the only one to see any time on the field at Chapman.
The Panthers turned up the pressure on opposing offenses last year but graduated four starters on defense that accounted for half (12.5) of the Panthers’ sacks and 27 of their 63 tackles for loss.
Several players saw plenty of action and will look to step up into those vacated roles.
Seniors Jonathan Bunnel and Noah Kjos as well junior Jalen Dural made several big plays last season and are primed to take the starting spots in the box. Juniors Dillon Keefe (2017 SCIAC Newcomer of the Year) and David Aarhus will anchor the linebackers with All-SCIAC defensive lineman Ricky Medeiros also back on the field.
The secondary also remains intact from last year, led by All-SCIAC defensive back Franky Narez.
—Courtesy Steven Olveda, Sports Information Director
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