Tonight, Chapman’s football team will be traveling to Newberry High School to play in the upper state game.

This week determines if Chapman will be heading to the state championship for the first time since 2007.

It’s a challenge, though, for several players who are playing under the weight of tragedy or who aren’t playing at all.

Junior Patrick Phongsat is injured and will be out for the rest of season but that doesn’t stop his support and love for his team. He considers them his brothers.

“Good luck and good job to all the boys as they go to upper state this week,” Phongstat said. “It has been a great season getting to practice everyday with the boys. We are going to get that ring. Just keep playing.”

This season, senior Tyrell Oglesby suffered the loss of his brother. Despite this, he maintains a positive outlook, giving glory to God and knowing his brother is looking down on him in heaven.

Oglesby lost one of his main supporters this season and he plays every game for him.

“Every season I always give God the glory for all of the accomplishments I make, but this year I get to add another person, Mookie,” Oglesby said. “They both have been big impacts to me this season.”

It’s not all sadness for the team, though. This is a team of record-breakers including junior D.J. Twitty.

Coach Steven Fusaro had the most yards and was the school’s all-time leading rusher until Twitty broke the record this year.

“It is an honor to know that I am the leading rusher for my school, and it is an honor to be the leading rusher after one of my own coaches. Coach Fu,” Twitty said.

Twitty said he has one main goal, to run the ball down the field to help his team.

Tonight, he’ll see if he can run the ball all the way to Columbia.