Chapin, S.C.- This Friday, the 3-0 Chapin Eagles travel to Newberry to face the 2-0 Newberry Bulldogs. Newberry is coming off a 43-20 win at Clinton, while Chapin looks to continue momentum from an 18-hour, 63-60 marathon win over Swansea in overtime. This will be Newberry’s home opener for the 2015 season.

This game is a pristine matchup due to the early success of both teams. Chapin is ranked as high as No. 5 statewide in the 3A media poll, while Newberry is ranked No. 3 in 2A. In The State‘s Midlands poll, Chapin and Newberry are ranked No. 2 and No. 3, respectively.

Chapin will look to end a four game losing streak against Newberry, dating back to 2010. To do this, Chapin will need to rely on playmaking senior QB Logan Bailey, whose 1,079 total yards and 18 touchdowns leads the Midlands. Bailey’s duel-threat ability and “escapability” invokes flashbacks of former Texas A&M Heisman-winning QB Johnny Manziel. So far, Bailey has propelled the Chapin offense to a staggering average of 52 points per game. Newberry is led by sophomore RB Amir Abrams, who leads the team with 240 rushing yards and four touchdowns through two games. This Friday will also mark the return of senior DL Khari Suber for Chapin, who missed last week’s game with a concussion. Suber’s three sacks on the season is amongst the top of all Midlands defensive players.

Series Notes:

• Chapin is just 5-15 all-time against Newberry (25% win percentage)
• Newberry had an 11 game win streak vs Chapin, dating from 1990-2008
• Chapin won the first three games of the series (1972, 1988-1989)
• Last season, the Eagles lost to Newberry 35-26 at home