From Underdogs to Contenders: Chaney Cowboys' Quest for Glory
Chaney Football Season Preview
As the highly anticipated high school football season approaches, the Chaney Cowboys are gearing up for an exciting journey under the guidance of Head Coach Seth Antram, who enters his 2nd season at the helm. Coming off a stellar 10-2 season in 2022, the Cowboys are determined to build upon their success, capture the Steel Valley Conference title, and make a deep playoff run.
Coach Antram stated, "We've been preaching to build off of last season. We had a lot of senior recognition last season, and rightfully so. We want to continue that with this next group of seniors and then again in 2024 and so on."
Last year's campaign was nothing short of a storybook season for the Cowboys. After a 4-5 record in 2021, they bounced back with incredible resilience. The Cowboys delivered an unforgettable 16-13 victory over the 2022 Division 3 State Champion Canfield Cardinals, handing them their only loss of the season. Making history, the Cowboys hosted two home playoff games for the first time ever, including a remarkable 35-21 comeback victory over Alliance. They averaged 28.6 points per game while allowing only 11.1 points against. Additionally, they celebrated the achievements of their dynamic duo, Jason Hewlett and DJ Waller, who will continue their football journeys at the University of Michigan.
Although the Cowboys bid farewell to some exceptional talents from last season's roster, they possess an abundance of promising players ready to step up. The majority of the returning players will contribute on both offense and defense, with sturdy defensive and offensive lines anchored by Elijah Carter, Saion Ivey, Sarmod Shakoor, Javon Huff, Tristan LeFlore, and Trent Winford. Linebackers Jawaun Harmon and Clifton Scott, who tallied an impressive 66 tackles each last year, will make their presence known once again. Coach Atram added “We expect to be physical and disciplined. If a team can do those two things, you give yourself a chance in every game.”
Offensively, the team will be led by junior dual-threat quarterback Matt Jones, who enters his third year as the starting QB. Last season, Jones led the Cowboys with 21 total touchdowns (15 passing, 6 rushing) and nearly 1700 total yards. The backfield will feature the duo of Jawuan Harmon (311 rushing yards, 5 touchdowns) and Bryson Douglas. The wide receiver corps will showcase a host of talented athletes competing to fill the void left by Waller and Hewlett, including Darius Stonework, who demonstrated tremendous progress towards the end of last season. Contributions from Dwayne Howard, Deshawn Langston, DeWayne Thompson, and Jordan Hewlett will also be crucial.
In preparation for the upcoming season, Coach Antram and the team have dedicated themselves to Week 1 against Akron East. Antram stated "They had a really good season last year (6-5) and return a lot of players from that team. They have a few D1-type players, so our guys are focused on starting the season the right way on August 17th." The Cowboys first home game will take place on September 1st, facing conference rival Boardman at the Rayen High School Stadium. Antram asserted "Our guys have learned to take each week in stride and bring the same energy every Friday night. With that said, you always look forward to your league games. Coach Culliver and his staff are doing a great job at East. Mooney has shown significant improvement over the last few seasons and retains many players. Ursuline has been the team to beat lately in our area.”
The Cowboys also call upon their dedicated fans to show their unwavering support. Antram exclaimed "To our fans, we, as a program, ask them to come out and support us on game days. The energy from our fans last season really carried onto the field and played a significant role in our success. It meant so much to our players, and we are eager to continue building on that energy." Senior RB/LB Jawuan Harmon added “We got after it early and fast this offseason. Fans and everyone else can expect Chaney to be the same hardworking, finishing team we were last year and even more.”
As the Chaney Cowboys embark on their thrilling football season, with Coach Antram's guidance and a talented roster, the Cowboys are ready to overcome challenges, exhibit their passion, and continue to build upon the tradition of Chaney football.
I'm waiting for the old school meets the new school open house. #buildingbridges #oldschoolandnewschool #onceacowboyalwaysacowboy
Go Cowboys!