Chapman’s football team learns resiliency through tough yet rewarding season
Chapman football started out the season with three consecutive losses before finishing it out with a bang and a conference championship. Photos courtesy of Larry Newman
Two months ago, Chapman’s football team walked off the field at California Lutheran University after suffering their third loss in their first three games of the season. Fast forward to Nov. 11, and the Panthers were hoisting the inaugural Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) championship game trophy.
After beating Pomona-Pitzer 41-20, Chapman booked themselves a ticket to the Division III NCAA Tournament. This accomplishment was a testament to the resilience of the team as they rattled off six straight wins to earn their first championship since 2019.
During their win streak, Chapman’s defense was on its best game; they forced six interceptions in the SCIAC championship game and held opponents to an astounding nine points per game over that stretch. The team also scored 28.5 points per game during the win streak, showcasing how much both sides of the ball have improved.
Junior Kyle Sieben, a business management major who plays defensive back, had two interceptions in the championship game. He explains why the team saw such a sharp turnaround in terms of success.
“Our defense has had some minor tweaks that have made a huge difference and have helped us be such a dominant defense,” Sieben said. “As a team, we believe that if we can defensively shut down the run and make them a primarily passing team, then that will give us opportunities to get to the quarterback and make us focus more on their passing game.”
These small details made all the difference as the defense locked in and locked down opponents. The defense invested in those changes, and as for the entire team, the chemistry between players was integral to their success.
“Almost every one of our key players was on the 2021 team, and being able to get that experience for the past two seasons and being so close to winning both years, it has caused our chemistry to skyrocket. In 2021, and last year, we were a very young team. But now, we have played alongside each other enough, and it is all clicking. We have the utmost trust in each other and these coaches, and letting them guide us to this has also been a key factor.”
Winning this year’s championship was the result of a lot of preparation and detailed work, which made it even more special for the team.
“Winning the SCIAC was a big milestone for this team. At the beginning of our fall camp, we made our season goals, and winning the conference was our number one goal. Achieving this milestone for only the fourth time in program history and the first since 2019 will cement this team in Chapman’s history. Especially after starting 0-3 with the no contest due to weather in week one, it showed our resiliency and made us earn every single win, making the win even more sweet.”
Freshman Roman Hardin, a business administration major who also plays defensive back on the team, had three interceptions in the championship game. He offered his perspective on the bond Chapman football has.
“You could walk up to any of our teammates and be able to have a great time with one another,” Hardin said. “This bond is what led us to the result we got this season because of how well we were able to pick each other up, no matter (if we) won or lost.”
That level of connection shined through during the celebrations after winning the championship as the team got to reflect on their special season.
“Winning the SCIAC showed how all our hard work paid off,” Hardin told The Panther. “Celebrating with one another after the game was so relieving and so special that it took our brotherhood to another level.”
“Winning the SCIAC showed how all our hard work paid off. Celebrating with one another after the game was so relieving and so special that it took our brotherhood to another level.”
While their season ended with a 42-28 loss to Whitworth University in the Division III NCAA Playoffs, Chapman’s football team has etched itself into the history books, not only for the school, but for the conference as well. It was a season marked by resiliency, close bonds and hardworking football players who accomplished what they ultimately set out to do before the season started.