Bluffton Wins Lowcountry 7-on-7 Tournament

Wes Kerr

July 2, 2022 @ 10:07 AM

Hayden Gregory couldn’t have asked for much more from his Bluffton Bobcats on Thursday. His team’s mission was a daunting one, and his players rose to the challenge. Against a gauntlet of quality 7-on-7 competition from the Lowcountry and Southeast Georgia, the Bluffton A team emerged victorious, and proved to the state that it was ready to take a giant step forward.   The star power came out for Bluffton all day long, and even a half-hour lightning delay couldn’t hold down the electrifying play of senior wide receiver Jaylin Linder. The 6-foot-4 stud was dominant against a terrific tandem of defensive matchups, showcasing his explosive quickness and athleticism alongside his growing chemistry with quarterback Max Vonhohenstraeten. Linder was playing inspired ball with an unstoppable motor and excelled in his route running with quick cuts to lose defenders and put himself in prime positions to make big plays. Linder had some inconsistencies with drops last year, but he was terrific on Thursday and should bring some big momentum into the remainder of the summer and preseason. He is a gifted weapon who has big-play potential any time he walks onto the field, and he proved it in a big way this week.   Linder was one of several Bobcat standouts who helped Gregory’s squad surge to the title. Linebackers [player_tooltip player_id="208337" first="Jeremiah" last="Curry"] and [player_tooltip player_id="204429" first="Jaquinn" last="Williams"] were terrific, using their outstanding hustle to clog up passing lanes and make key picks throughout the tournament. Curry especially caught our eye as a strong defender who always puts himself in the right spot to make a play. The rising junior could have a monster season defensively for an up-and-coming Bobcat unit, and he’s already ranked as the sixth-best linebacker in the South Carolina class of 2024. Williams is a proven veteran playmaker who will be relied upon to show his quickness and power on both sides of the ball. And wide receiver Camauri Simmons showed why he can be a game-changer with his lightning-quick speed and high-level agility to beat defenders. And there were also some lesser-known names who came through in big moments throughout the day. Junior wideout Wyatt Tant exploded onto the scene with an excellent tournament, catching a pair of touchdowns including a high-difficulty grab in the back corner of the end zone. He added two picks to round out the day and solidified himself as a capable receiver on a high-powered offense. And quarterback Max Vonhohenstraeten showcased his strong arm and made a handful of dazzling throws that put the Bobcats over the top. The senior quarterback undoubtedly has the dedication and experience beside him to orchestrate a successful campaign in 2022.   It was all there on Thursday for Hayden Gregory’s squad as the Bluffton Bobcats put several strong weeks of hard work together to claim a championship. Sure, there’s a sizable difference between 7-on-7 and the 11-on-11 game, but the Bobcats proved their talent and fight against some top teams in South Carolina and Georgia, including wins over Southeast Bulloch and defending SCISA 2A state champion Hilton Head Christian in the title game. It could be the start of something special at the Den with a young coach ready to make some noise.