Midland Valley football ready to play on the gridiron under interim head coach

Midland Valley's football program was hit with a lot of roster turnover after last season, during which a massive class of 24 seniors led the Mustangs to their best record in program history.

Eleven of those players signed to play college football, continuing their careers after a 12-1 season that included a Region 4-AAAA championship, a trip to the third round of the state playoffs and the Mustangs' first win over North Augusta since 1998.

This year's Mustangs will take the field without those 24, and also without the head coach who led them during a significant program rebuild. Earl Chaptman was placed on administrative leave last month, according to the Aiken County Public School District, following a pair of arrests this summer.

Criminal charges against Chaptman were eventually dropped, but last week the district announced that Chaptman would not be returning to coach the Mustangs this season.

Brent Dorn, a Midland Valley alumnus who was offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach under Chaptman, was named the interim head coach. It's been a quick transition, but Dorn said the players and coaching staff are making the best of a difficult situation.

"I think it's kind of brought us a little bit closer," Dorn said. "At FCA, we've brought in the motto 'We over me.' Just kind of building off of family and always having each others' backs, no matter what circumstances come our way. I think that's really brought us together. You can see it on the sidelines. Offense is cheering for the defense. Defense is cheering for the offense. I think we've really bought into that, and just having each others' backs no matter what situation occurs."

Dorn coached at Fox Creek from 2018-21 and previously coached at Paul Knox Middle School. He came to Midland Valley in 2021 and has been part of Chaptman's program overhaul that has turned a 56-man roster of varsity and junior varsity players to 132 heading into this season.

“He’s well-liked, but has also been a leader among coaches,” Midland Valley principal Sheldon Higgenbottom said in a release from the Aiken County Public School District. “The kids love him. We trust him and know that he has the confidence to do what’s right even when, especially when, it’s difficult.”

Another challenge awaits the Mustangs in a new-look Region 4-AAAA that still includes county rivals Aiken, North Augusta and South Aiken, plus longtime rival Airport. Joining the fray are Gray Collegiate Academy, Gilbert and Brookland-Cayce. It's the largest region in Class AAAA with eight teams, and there's no shortage of contenders gunning for the Mustangs' title.

"These kids, honestly, they're just ready to compete. They don't care who it is," Dorn said. "With all of our 7-on-7 tournaments and all that, it was just, all right, let's go, no matter what was on the other team's shirt or jersey. I think they're truly excited for the challenge. I'm excited for the challenge. I think they're in the right headspace for all of it. It's going to be a tough one. The guys down (at May River) we scrimmaged (Monday), they're calling it the SEC. Top to bottom, I think it's definitely the best region in the state."