‘Emotional rollercoaster’: Chapman football reflects on historic win

Players and coaches often think back to Chapman football’s groundbreaking Nov. 23, 2019 win over Linfield College – the program’s first-ever playoff victory. Panther Archives

Years in the future, Chapman football’s 68-65 win over Linfield College Nov. 23, 2019, will go down as just a data point; a high-scoring game for two NCAA Division III football teams after which neither team continued on to win the championship. 

Yet in the mind of those on the sidelines, those gritting their teeth in simultaneous feelings of hope, stress and anticipation, it’s unlikely that the Nov. 23 day will ever be forgotten.

It was a constant back and forth. Scores were traded each possession like a classic old Western shootout, head coach Bob Owens said. It was the wildest sports game most any in attendance would ever see – and as one overtime period turned into three, the Chapman football team had come away with its first playoff win in school history.  

“There were a couple of times towards the end of the game where we scored and thought that might have been the game-winning score, but then the other team ended up answering back,” said Jonston MacIntyre, a senior quarterback. “It was definitely a rollercoaster of emotions, from excitement to nervousness.”

Linfield had beaten them previously in the season. That served as motivation for the Panthers, who wanted revenge, a feeling that motivated them to keep going despite the exhaustion of the back and forth battle. Ultimately, the work ethic Owens instilled in his squad throughout the season spearheaded the Panthers to victory on the cool November evening. 

“Our guys worked hard, conditioned hard and prepared for each game one team at a time. It was important that we didn’t get ahead of ourselves,” Owens said. “We didn’t look at the end of the road, but instead focused on each team that we were going to play.”

One thing they couldn’t always plan for, however, was injuries. In that game, the Panthers had over 20 players ruled inactive with different ailments, MacIntyre said. Rather than roll over, the team had to depend on each player doing their best in spite of the circumstances. 

“There is always a next man up mentality. As you go through the season, you’re training for those moments,” said Casey Shine, the team’s offensive coordinator. “Even when a lot of injuries did happen, there was no panic on the team. There was a calmness about it because we prepared for it.” 

Sophomore running back Marcos Reyes was one of those injured, who couldn’t do anything but watch from the sidelines. However, he said witnessing history was nonetheless an exhilarating experience.

“The playoff experience was a special one. All the guys were riled up, happy, and excited. It was new to all of us,” Reyes said. “Seeing it from an underclassman point of view, I fed off of their energy and they taught me what to expect so that I could pass it down to future players as well.” 

That future is uncertain, given that their planned spring schedule of games was just canceled due to COVID-19 concerns. When the time comes for the Panthers to take the field again, veterans will be able to think back on that playoff experience, their confidence to succeed in difficult circumstances bolstered. 

“I miss the team grinding and putting in hard work, with winning being the outcome,” Reyes said. “If we don’t have a season this year, best believe that next year we are going to excel and move forward to do better than our 2019 season.”