The fall semester is upon us meaning that the Chapman football season is coming into swing. The team has been working hard in the preseason to keep their pace from last season, where they became Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) champions. 

Senior wide receiver Amir Adams, a psychology major and one of the captains for Chapman football, holds high expectations for himself and the team in their season this year.

“When you’re expected to win and it’s a part of your culture, winning doesn’t scare you,” Adams said. “Those expectations of winning are not new to us, we're ready for it.”

The team has been grinding in the preseason to make sure they can maintain this energy. Both on and off the field, players are showing up to enforce the grit, determination, and excellence needed to repeat as champions.

“Execution is the main goal on the field, and off the field (the goal) is getting close as a team,” Adams said. “Long term we want to win another SCIAC and make a run in the playoffs, which I think we're overdue for.”

Adams further explained how these goals are interconnected, and how their preseason preparation has set the team up for another successful year.  

“These align together because when we execute we win, make a run and when we are tight (as a group) we will go the furthest,” he said. “Our preseason was (spent) really implementing those things to make sure our long term goals lineup.”

Adams is not the only player that believes in the legacy of this team. Senior linebacker Alex Terriquez and junior offensive lineman Gavin Scott are on the same page with Adams with the standards they hold for their team.

Another aspect of preseason for the boys is connecting with the freshman class that is starting their football journey here at Chapman. At the start of the season the team focuses on building strong connections among players. Older players use their leadership experiences to mentor younger players and help them walk the same line they did.

“We have a team barbecue at the dorms at the beginning of the season to introduce ourselves to them,” business administration major Terriquez said. “We also have small groups and are quizzed about our group, so it allows us to get close with everyone including the freshman and make sure they feel they’re a part of the team.” 

Business administration major Scott added that in addition to fostering a close environment, the team keeps a competitive energy that constantly drives the players. 

“We try to emphasize that no starting spot is secure and it is fair game,” Scott said. “This instills a sense of competition which pushes each and every one of us to be the best player we can be.”

The player are coming into their opening game with pride and confidence in what they've built as a team. Dominance is the only thing they're looking for and it's clear that they are ready to assert it.

“We are also looking to establish an image to the rest of the SCIAC that we are not to be messed with,” Scott added. 

“We’re looking to dominate Pacific (University). We’ve been getting scout reps of what their offense runs to help the defense get a feel for what type of plays they run,” Terriquez said

Besides the dedication of the players, coach Bob Owens continues to leave his legacy on the Chapman football program. 

This Saturday, the teams first game, could mark Owens’ 100th Chapman win. It is also the 10th anniversary of Chapman’s 2014 SCIAC championship.

The team wants to celebrate their coach and honor him by winning their first game and home opener.

“Winning the game and keeping in mind the history of coach O and the history of the program he has been able to build is the forefront of (the first game),” Adams said.

Keeping the team healthy and ready to play is extremely important and one obstacle seen so far in preseason. Despite this obstacle, the team continues to push through and find ways to turn it into an advantage.

“A lot of injuries have happened during this preseason, but a lot of guys have been able to come back pretty quickly. This allows the younger guys to get their reps in and show the coaches what they have,” said Adams. 

“It’s hard to have an intense practice and keep guys healthy at the same time so sometimes guys get injured frequently. But that should keep players who aren’t starting encouraged that maybe their time to play is coming sooner than they think,” Scott continued.

As the Panthers start their season, one thing is clear: not just ready to play, but to dominate and come back better than before. 

“We are a team that likes to move on from our championship, we expect to win. So when you expect to win, championships come along the way. This is something that every freshman has experienced since coach O has been here, so this is an expectation,” said Adams.