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Surrounded by his friends and family, Hutson Chance couldn’t hide his smile.
A year ago Chance was on the sideline recovering from a season-ending knee injury suffered in CPA’s Week 2 loss to Pearl-Cohn. Now back and fully healthy, Chance has played a pivotal role in the Lions’ five-straight wins to open the season.
That was never more evident than Thursday night.
Chance threw for four touchdowns, including three in the fourth quarter, as CPA (5-0, 2-0 DII-AA Middle) rolled past BGA (4-1, 1-1) 49-16 in a battle between two of the hottest teams in Division II-AA.
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“I enjoy every day I’m out there whether it’s a practice, game or walkthrough, I’m always soaking up the moment,” Chance said. “Last year was cut short and it was nothing I could control so that just taught me to live in the moment and cherish it. Knowing that I don’t have any pressure with football because of my baseball opportunity, this is probably the most fun I’ve ever had in my life.”
Entering Thursday night Chance had completed just under 60% of his passes for 631 yards and five touchdowns.
A Tennessee baseball commitment, Chance’s future may lie on the baseball diamond. However CPA coach Ingle Martin believes that his quarterback could have a future playing college football if he ever chose that route.
“He’s one of most gifted leaders and positive people I’ve ever been around,” Martin said. “To go what he went through last year and to come in full-hearted this year, it’s been nothing but impressive. We’re really glad he’s on our team and nowhere to go but up.
…if baseball doesn’t work, football sure will. He’s a college quarterback if he wants to be.”
Chance forms a formidable trio with Owen Cabell, Knox McLean
Chance is the first person to give all the credit to the guys blocking for him and catching his passes.
That was demonstrated on Thursday night. CPA’s offensive line didn’t allow a sack and Chance found Owen Cabell and Knox McLean for several big plays.
Cabell and Chance connected on their first touchdown of the night in the final 45 seconds of the first half. That play was set up by a long reception from McLean.
In the fourth quarter, Cabell and Chance connected again on a 67-yard touchdown strike. A long Cabell reception set up McLean’s touchdown reception a few plays later and Cabell clinched the win a few players later on a 32-yard strike.
“Chance and I have a great connection on and off of the field,” Cabell said. “Having the ability to air it out tonight was just fantastic. We’ve been planning on doing that all year so that was a lot of fun.”
