For senior Emilio Pucci, this year’s game was another chance to take the field with his teammates as he gets closer to finishing his Chapman football career. With family in the stands to watch him play, this game felt a little more meaningful. “It was my last one, with the coaches, this place and these people,” Pucci said. “ After the game, I just saw my family; we took pictures, now I felt that special deal of my last homecoming game.”
Pucci made a big impact on offense, catching a 15-yard touchdown pass from Brady McKelheer and hauling in a 33-yard completion on a double-pass play.
While Pucci looks back on his time at Chapman, freshman Viggo Anderson is just getting started. Coming to Chapman from Oregon, Anderson experienced his first Homecoming as a Panther this weekend.
On the field, Anderson continued to make his mark, scoring a five-yard rushing touchdown in the second half. Making it his second straight game scoring a touchdown.
At halftime, he was told he would get playing time in the third quarter. That was when he realized he needed to give it his all.
“I remember that feeling getting ready to go, standing next to the quarterback,” Viggo said. “You know we’ve got to lock in now.”